4.2 |
Iraq WMD assessments, July to September 2002
125.
The FCO
response was sent to No.10 on 2 September by Mr Mark Sedwill,
one
of
Mr Straw’s Private Secretaries who had been attached to UNSCOM
between 1996
126.
Addressing the
question “Does Iraq
possess WMD?”, the FCO
stated:
“Yes. Iraq
is still hiding weapons of mass destruction in a range of
locations. The
regime has
admitted hiding chemical, biological weapons and missile parts
…
“The Iraqi
regime has admitted producing large quantities of chemical
warfare
agents … It
has also admitted … producing biological warfare agents
…
“In the
course of their work between 1991 and 1998, UN weapons
inspectors
were unable
to account for thousands of tonnes of so-called precursor
chemicals
used in the
production of weapons; hundreds of tonnes of chemicals used in
the
production
of VX nerve agent; up to a dozen ballistic missiles with a range of
over
600
kilometres; and tens of thousands of special munitions which can be
used in
chemical
and biological weapons.”
127.
Addressing
“Developments
in Iraq’s WMD programmes Since the Last
Inspections?”, the
FCO stated:
“… the
Baghdad regime continues to pursue ballistic missile, nuclear,
chemical
and biological
programmes in breach of its UN obligations.
“We believe
that Iraq has recently accelerated its weapons
programmes.
For example:
“Saddam’s
ballistic missile programme has made continued progress and
facilities
damaged by
Operation Desert Fox in 1998 have been repaired. We believe
that
he is
planning to extend the range of his current missiles beyond the
150km limit
imposed by
the UN …
“We have
reports of increased nuclear procurement. We think R&D on a
nuclear
weapons
programme has restarted. If sanctions are lifted, we believe that
Saddam
could
develop a nuclear weapon within 5 years. If he were able to procure
fissile
material
from outside Iraq, then he might possess a nuclear capability in a
much
shorter
timeframe.
“We believe
that the Iraqi regime continues its biological and chemical
weapons
programmes.”
128.
The FCO
advised Mr Blair that Iraq did not have an active civil
nuclear programme
and that
almost all its facilities had been dismantled after 1991. The
International Atomic
Energy
Agency (IAEA) inspected “the small quantity of radioactive material
which
Iraq was
permitted to keep for research”. The FCO added: “In these
circumstances,
56
Letter
Sedwill to Rycroft, 2 September 2002, ‘Iraq’.
137