February 2000In an interview with the German paper
Sueddeutsche Zeitung, U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen says that Iran, Iraq, and North Korea are trying to manufacture nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and are trying to build missiles capable of carrying these weapons. According to an Iraqi defector, the warheads contained Sarin and Cyclosarin (GF).
— Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 11 February 2000.
February 2000
Reportedly, an Iraqi defector says his unit delivered warheads to a secret site where they were loaded with chemicals and returned to a secret hiding place near Baghdad.
— Marie Colvin and Uzi Mahnaimi, "Saddam's Elite Troops Prime Poison Missiles," Sunday Times, 20 February 2000.
17 May 2000
Head of U.K. Defence Intelligence says that "Iraq has the capacity to produce mustard and nerve agents within a few weeks."
—"Gulf Weapons Proliferation Unstoppable", Middle East Economic Digest, 23 May 2000, p. 4.
24 May 2000
Richard Butler says that he has evidence from his time in Baghdad that Saddam Hussayn kept weapons of mass destruction from the U.N. and that over the past 18 months he has used the absence of the U.N. to build up his arsenal of missiles and chemical and biological weapons.
— Ewen MacAskil, "Iraqi Nerve Gas 'Could Paralyse Western Cities'," The Guardian, 24 May 2000.
25 May 2000
The U.S. releases its investigation concerning accounts that an Iraqi helicopter may have dropped canisters containing a yellow chemical spray on the city of al-Nasiriyah in 1991. The U.S. Department of Defense finds no "conclusive evidence" that Iraq used chemical weapons against the rebellious Shiite population.
— "US Pentagon Finds No Evidence of Iraqi Chemical Weapons Use," Agence France Presse, 26 May 2000.
June 2000
An Iraqi opposition group, the Free Fighters Command, announces that they have mounted an attack on a secret arms cache in the Diyala region in eastern Iraq and seized a chemical agent that "the regime's forces used in artillery shells and missiles."
—"Jordanian Weekly: Iraqi Opposition Movement Seizes 'Chemical Weapon', Claims Responsibility for Attack on MKO Members," Al-Hadath, 5 June 2000, in FBIS Document GMP20000605000181, 5 June 2000, "Iraqi Opposition Organization Announces Its Force's Seizure of Chemical Weapon," Al-Hayah, 2 July 1999, p. 2, in FBIS Document FTS19990702000657, 2 July 1999.
19 November 2000
According to Western intelligence reports, Iraq has been stockpiling an arsenal of chemical and biological weapons in schools and hospitals. The items listed include 610 tons of precursor chemicals for the production of VX.
— Christina Lamb, "Saddam Stockpiling Deadly Chemical Weapons," Sunday Telegraph, 19 November 2000.
January 2001
U.S. DOD states that "Iraq retains the expertise, once a decision is made, to resume chemical agent production within a few weeks or months, depending on the type of agent."
— U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Proliferation: Threat and Response, January 2001, p.40.
22 January 2001
According to a new intelligence estimate, "Iraq has rebuilt a series of factories that the United States has long suspected of producing chemical and biological weapons...." The construction of two factories, located in an industrial complex in Falluja, is resumed, as well as the production of chlorine at a third factory in the same complex. Government officials say that all three factories were previously involved in producing chemical or biological agents. The Iraqi Trade Minister, Mohammed Mahdi Salih, denies the charges and responds in an interview with Al-Jazeera that, "Iraq has no weapons of mass destruction."
—Steven Lee Myers and Eric Schmitt, "Iraq Rebuilt Weapons Factories, Officials Say," New York Times, 22 January 2001, "Trade Minister Denies Iraq Rebuilt Chemical Weapons Plants," BBC, 23 January 2001.
26 January 2001
The Vision Television of Islamic Intifadah announces that the Iraqi regime intends to place chemical weapons at the disposal of the Iranian opposition group MKO (Mujahidin-i Khalq Organization).
— Iranian Students New Agency, "Intifadah Reports on the Arming of Monafeqin with Chemical Weapons by the Saddam Regime," 26 January 2001, in BBC, "Iran: Iraq Reportedly Planning to Arm Iranian Opposition with Chemical Weapons," 26 January 2001.
30 January 2001
The Iraqi Vice President Taha Yasin Ramadan and his delegation visit the Arab Company for Pharmaceuticals Industries, Tamico, in Damascus. They tour the company's facilities, which produce over a 100 medicines, as well as vaccines and baby food.
— "Iraq's Ramadan Tours Syrian Plants, Umayyad Mosque, Saladin Mausoleum," Syrian Arab Television TV1, 30 January 2001, in FBIS Document GMP20010130000251, 30 January 2001.
15 February 2001
According to an internal U.N. report, several facilities making chlorine to purify water supplies and "huge imports" of the chemical financed by the U.N.'s oil-for-food program "...are probably being diverted for use as precursor chemicals in the manufacture of weapons."
— Ian Bruce, "Revealed: Saddam's Factory of Death, Iraq Uses Castor Oil By-Product to Make Biological Weapons," The Herald, 15 February 2001, p.2 .
26 February 2001
According to the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND), Indian companies are involved in 80 chemical projects in Iraq, 20 of which are attributed to chemical weapons production.
— Georg Mascolo, "Big Plans and Shoddy Businesses," Der Spiegel, 26 February 2001, in "India Reportedly Helping Iraq to Produce Weapons," FBIS Document EUP20010226000071, 26 February 2001.
26 February 2001
The BND leaked new details on the Iraqi chemical weapons program. According to the report, the al-Mamoun plant is actively producing ammonium perchlorate, which is one of the main components needed to make solid fuel for log range missiles and solid rocked boosters.. The equipment for the factory was bought by a Delhi company known as NEC Limited, which is on the German Economics Ministry's list of businesses involved in arms proliferation.
—Roger Boyes, "Iraq Builds Chemical Weapons System 'Capable of Hitting European Cities'," The Times, 26 February 2001, Roger Boyes, "German Spies Reveal Iraq Planning Chemical Warfare," Calgary Herald, 26 February 2001, p. A5.
28 February 2001
U.S. officials say that Iraq and Sudan are engaged in a joint effort to develop chemical and biological weapons in the Sudan. It is also reported that Iraq has exported technology and expertise in non-conventional weapons to Libya and Sudan.
— "Iraq Exports WMD Expertise to Arab Allies," Middle East Newsline 3(84), 28 February 2001.
Early March 2001
A classified report by UNMOVIC, which is based on analysis of information inherited from UNSCOM, states that Iraq could still have mustard agent and shells to deliver it.
— "Missiles and Viruses Still Troubling U.N. UNMOVIC Report," Financial Times, 2 March 2001, p. 11.
29 January 2002
President Bush lists Iraq in his "Axis-of-Evil" State of the Union Address. He also states that "the Iraqi regime has plotted to develop anthrax, and nerve gas, and nuclear weapons for over a decade."
—The President's State of the Union Address, The United States Capitol, Washington, D.C. Office of the Press Secretary, 29 January 2002.
September 2002
A declassified DIA study purports that Operation Desert Storm and UNSCOM destroyed a "substantial amount of Iraq's chemical warfare agents, precursors, munitions, and production equipment," but "nevertheless, we believe Iraq retained production equipment, expertise and chemical precursors and can reconstitute a chemical warfare program in the absence of an international inspection regime."
—Declassified section of the Defense Intelligence Agency's Iraq – Key WMD Facilities – An Operational Support Study, September 2002.
12 September 2002
President Bush addresses the United Nations General Assembly, expressing that "if Iraq's regime defies us again, the world must move deliberately...the Security Council resolutions will be enforced...or action will be unavoidable."
—"Presidents Remarks at the United Nations", Office of the Press Secretary, 12 September 2002.
16 September 2002Iraq announces that it will allow the return of UN inspectors without conditions.
—Eleventh quarterly report of the Executive Chairman of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission in accordance with paragraph 12 of Security Council resolution 1284 (1999), UN document S/2002/1303, 27 November 2002, <http://www.un.org/Depts/unmovic/new/pages/document_list.asp>.27 November 2002The first UNMOVIC team begins inspections in Iraq.
—Twelfth quarterly report of the Executive Chairman of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission in accordance with paragraph 12 of Security Council resolution 1284 (1999), UN document S/2003/232, 28 February 2003, <http://www.un.org/Depts/unmovic/new/pages/document_list.asp>.7 December 2002Iraq provides UNMOVIC with an updated full and complete declaration as required by Resolution 1441 describing its proscribed weapons programs and other chemical programs. The declaration consists of more than 12,000 pages, but with the exception of non-weapons related biological declarations and missile development declarations, UNMOVIC finds very little new information.
—Twelfth quarterly report of the Executive Chairman of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission in accordance with paragraph 12 of Security Council resolution 1284 (1999), UN document S/2003/232, 28 February 2003, <http://www.un.org/Depts/unmovic/new/pages/document_list.asp>.5 February 2003United States Secretary of State Colin Powell presents US intelligence on Iraq's weapons programs to the U.N. Security Council.
—White House Press Release, "US Secretary of State Colin Powell Addresses the U.N. Security Council", 5 February 2003.
19-20 February 2003The Independent reports on 19 February that three giant cargo ships, which are suspected of carrying Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, are being tracked by US and British intelligence. However, the following day, a report by
The Guardian says that the US Navy is boarding approximately six ships per day in search of Iraqi WMD, but so far has only found small amounts of drugs and unauthorized guns. Also in the report, David Osler, an editor of Lloyd’s List maritime journal, notes that chemical weapons do not take up much space and safe storage of missiles on a commercial ship would require large-scale adaptations.
—“Iraq Crisis: Three mystery ships are tracked over suspected weapons’ cargo,” Independent (London), 19 February 2003; “Ships boarded in search for smuggled weapons,” Guardian (London), 20 February 2003.
February 24, 2003Dan Rather interviews Saddam Hussein concerning the many aspects of Iraq's alleged illicit weapons programs and the impending military confrontation. Hussein denies that Iraq is in breach of Security Council resolutions.
—Dan Rather Interview with President Saddam Hussein, 24 February 200328 February 2003After three months of inspections, UNMOVIC observes that Iraq has been very helpful in matters relating to inspection “process”, but has been less forthcoming in substantive matters and notes that Iraq could have made greater efforts to either find and produce remaining WMD stockpiles or show credible evidence of their destruction.
—Twelfth quarterly report of the Executive Chairman of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission in accordance with paragraph 12 of Security Council resolution 1284 (1999), UN document S/2003/232, 28 February 2003, <http://www.un.org/Depts/unmovic/new/pages/document_list.asp>.7 March 2003Hans Blix reports to the UN Security council on the progress of the UNMOVIC disarmament mission in Iraq. He reports that there was initial period of reluctant cooperation by the Iraqis but that there now seemed to be an acceleration of cooperative initiatives including the acceptance of disarmament of its al-Samoud 2 missiles.
—"United Nations Weapons Inspectors Report to the U.N. Security Council on Progress in the Disarmament of Iraq", United Nations, 7 March 2003.18 March 2003UNMOVIC inspectors withdraw from Iraq following a notification from the US administration of the imminent invasion of Iraq.
—Thirteenth quarterly report of the Executive Chairman of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission in accordance with paragraph 12 of Security Council resolution 1284 (1999), UN document S/2003/580, 30 May 2003, <http://www.un.org/Depts/unmovic/new/pages/document_list.asp>.
19-20 March 2003US and Coalition forces commence Operation Iraqi Freedom, a military invasion of Iraq, on 20 March at 4 am in Baghdad (8 pm on 19 March in Washington, DC).
—“The war begins,” Economist, 20 March 2003, [http://www.economist.com].30 May 2003UNMOVIC reports on the findings of its inspections in Iraq. Highlights of this report include a VX destruction study, mobile chemical weapons production laboratories, and destruction of chemical agents and munitions. A VX destruction study was conducted to attempt to verify Iraq’s claims of unilateral destruction of VX nerve agent and its precursors in 1991. In the study, Iraq provided additional documentation and scientific soil sampling of the alleged dump site at Muthanna State Establishment. The study failed to conclusively prove the destruction of the VX agent and also did not address other unresolved issues such as knowledge retention of the VX program. However, the study did provide valuable information which would be useful in future sampling missions. UNMOVIC inspected several suspected mobile chemical weapons production facilities in Iraq. Inspections were made based on intelligence provided by other governments. Several sites had seed-processing equipment that looks similar to chemical weapons production equipment, but no evidence of mobile chemical weapons production activity was found. UNMOVIC requested and received declarations and pictures from Iraq on all its mobile facilities. These facilities were then randomly tested by UNMOVIC during regular inspections, but no evidence of chemical weapons production was found. In addition to inspections, UNMOVIC destroyed fourteen 155-millimeter shells containing 49 liters of mustard gas, destroyed 500 ml of thiodiglycol, tagged 18 122-millimeter chemical warheads for destruction, and determined that Iraq should destroy eight pieces of chemical equipment at Al Fallujah and Al Qaa Qaa. The destruction of this equipment was not completed before the inspectors left Iraq.
—Thirteenth quarterly report of the Executive Chairman of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission in accordance with paragraph 12 of Security Council resolution 1284 (1999), UN document S/2003/580, 30 May 2003, <http://www.un.org/Depts/unmovic/new/pages/document_list.asp>.June 2003The Iraq Survey Group (ISG) is created to search for WMD in Iraq. It is composed of approximately 1,400 WMD specialists and is led by David Kay, a former top UN weapons inspector.
—James Risen, “After the war: Illegal weapons; US asks ex-UN inspector to advise on arms search,” New York Times, 11 June 2003, p. A18.
30 June 2003Dr. Hans Blix ends his appointment as Executive Chairman of UNMOVIC. Demetrius Perricos is appointed Acting Executive Chairman.
—Fourteenth quarterly report on the activities of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission in accordance with paragraph 12 of Security Council resolution 1284 (1999), UN document S/2003/844, 28 August 2003, <http://www.un.org/Depts/unmovic/new/pages/document_list.asp>.
18 July 2003Declassified excerpts from the October 2002 National Intelligence Estimate are released by the White House. These excerpts contain 40 “distinct caveats or conditions on the intelligence judgment” which were usually dropped in other official publications and statements.
—Joseph Cirincione, Jessica T. Mathews, George Perkovich, with Alexis Orton, Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq: Evidence and Implications, (Washington DC: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, January 2004), p. 17.2 October 2003David Kay delivers to Congress a statement on the progress of the Iraq Survey Group. He reports that much has been found concerning the intent of Saddam to restart both his illicit programs. He also reports that stockpiles of chemical weapons have not been found.
—Statement by David Kay on the Interim Progress Report on the activities of the Iraq Survey Group (ISG) before The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, The House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Defense, and The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, 2 October 2003, <http://www.cia.gov/cia/public_affairs/speeches/2003/
david_kay_10022003.html>.
