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| Iraq |
| Saddam’s secret archives could be in Moscow: Report |
| 2003-04-09 |
| Saddam Hussein's secret archives could already be in Moscow despite American Central Intelligence Agency's bid to block their evacuation by firing at the Russian diplomatic convoy near Baghdad on Sunday, media reported on Wednesday. Quoting intelligence sources "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" on Wednesday reported that Sunday's attack by the US rangers on the Russian ambassador's convoy near Baghdad was a 'direct clash between Russian's Foreign Intelligence Service SVR and CIA. Moscow had asked the US for safe passage from Baghdad to Syria for its ambassador's convoy and a "Predator" drone was hovering over it all along the way from the embassy in Baghdad transmitting live video pictures, the daily said ruling out any case of mistaken identity by the US troops which fired at it. "CIA was under the impression that SVR was evacuating Saddam's secret archives under the diplomatic cover of ambassador's convoy... this also explains why at several occasions after the firing the American troops had tried to search Russian vehicles," Nezavisimaya Gazeta wrote. It also noted that though the Iraqi escort vans were totally destroyed by the Americans along with their occupants, in case of the Russians they tried to put their vehicles out of order to prevent further movement. "All the details we could learn only after fifty years in 2053, when SVR is expected to declassify its secret documents relating to the operation," Nezavisimaya Gazeta said. Can't wait till 2053 |
| Posted by:rg117 |
| #10 I'll second Mojo's observations. Even the most sensitive paperwork of this outfit would fill semis/lorries/juggernauts. If paperwork was smuggled out, it was done earlier and by other methods. I don't doubt much of it has disappeared, but inconvenient paperwork has a way of turning up and embarrassing moments. No doubt tons of it is in the hands of scientists, engineers, brokers, purchasing agents, generals, et alia, who will be happy to exchange it for their personal freedom and a meaningful job under the new government. |
| Posted by: tbn 2003-04-09 22:43:48 |
| #9 If our Rangers had fired on the Russians, the Russians would be dead. It obviously wasn't us. |
| Posted by: B. 2003-04-09 15:21:46 |
| #8 Maybe, maybe not. I could see them grabbing a few things but not masses of stuff. It would also be in our best interest to let people believe this to be the case. |
| Posted by: Hiryu 2003-04-09 12:47:43 |
| #7 Definitely sounds like Tenet. Never liked him, don't trust him. OTH, the Russkies did't make off with everything - there's still plenty of goodies to be found. |
| Posted by: Rex Mundi 2003-04-09 11:51:06 |
| #6 The fact that we did not search the Russians means to me that we probably have the *electronic* and microfiche copies of all that stuff. You can bet that those intelligence types sold as much of that stuff to BOTH sides as they coudl - to better line their pockets so they could escape. If the CIA didnt cut another deal, then Tenent should be fired. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2003-04-09 10:29:14 |
| #5 If we'd wanted the stuff so bad, the Aussies would have worked 'em over more at the Syrian border. |
| Posted by: someone 2003-04-09 10:23:12 |
| #4 We should have shot out the tires, then helped them empty the trunk to get at the spare. And then "oops, whats this?" |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2003-04-09 10:22:20 |
| #3 I don't buy it for a second. 1)it was the iraqis/jihadis that shot up the russkie convoy, no rangers involved. 2)consider the sources. 3)sheer volume. paper is bulky and heavy. The russkies were wanting to move fast. |
| Posted by: mojo 2003-04-09 10:01:27 |
| #2 I wouldn't worry, there is going to loads of evidence when the smoke clears. This took most of them by surprise. |
| Posted by: George 2003-04-09 10:00:42 |
| #1 The Russians seized the evidence, and teh US let them do it. That really burns me. They should have stopped them and arrested them long enough to search their vehicles, and gave them "safe passage". This Diplocrap has cost the US a HUGE score. Whoever is responsible for letting them go should probably get fired. Hope it was Tenets' idea. |
| Posted by: Mike N. 2003-04-09 09:49:49 |