E-MAIL THIS LINK
To: 

U.S. intelligence: Iraq moves Scud launchers
Sammy, just a-waitin' for us...U.S. intelligence sources tell CNN that they have detected recent Iraqi military moves that include placement of Scud missile launch equipment next to mosques and the shipment of explosives into southern Iraq, possible intended for oil fields.
Gee, I didn't think they were supposed to have any Scuds?
U.S. intelligence tells CNN:

• Iraq has moved equipment used for launching Scud missiles next to mosques and historic sites. The move by the Iraqis is viewed as an effort to preserve their launchers from U.S. attack, and is another indicator that Iraq still has Scud missiles. The officials decline to specify the locations of the launch equipment, citing extreme sensitivity, but say the equipment would be a prime target for a U.S. attack.
You put them next to a historic site and you lose protection for that site.
• Large amounts of conventional explosives have been shipped into southern Iraq. Intelligence reports indicate that it's being positioned possibly for detonation of Iraqi oil fields, although officials say they cannot confirm that this is Iraq's intent. When asked to describe the amount of explosives involved, one official quantifies it as "railroad cars" full of material.
Hope we've got a plan for this.
• There are now two layers of Republican Guard defenses around the Baghdad area. One has been publicly discussed: a Republican Guard unit in place around the outskirts of the city. But U.S. officials are now confirming there is a second layer of Republican Guard defenses "some kilometers" outside the city. That deployment has not been widely acknowledged. It includes new bunkers protecting Iraq military equipment and new firing positions.
Fixed positions are nothing but stationary targets.
• Military aircraft are now defensively dispersed, no longer parked near each other on runways.
Doesn't matter. Any Iraqi pilot who goes wheels up will have to fly his way through a cloud of Air Force and Navy pilots fighting to see who gets the most promotion points, er, kills.
• Syria is withdrawing students of Iraqi military academies in advance of any U.S. action. U.S. officials say they believe this will be demoralizing to the Iraqi military.
Syria sends students to Iraqi military academies? What, they couldn't get any seats for the class on White Flag 101 at the French military academy?

Posted by: Steve 2003-02-11
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=10142