-Caveat Lector- JULY 09, 10:15 EDT Saddam: U.N. Waging Germ Warfare By LEON BARKHO Associated Press Writer BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) — President Saddam Hussein has accused the United Nations of mounting a secret germ war against Iraq, citing his government's accusation that a U.N. employee bred locust eggs to harm Iraqi crops. In remarks carried by three state-run newspapers today, Saddam also charged U.N. employees in Iraq of theft, mainly of archaeological treasures, for sale abroad. The United Nations did not immediately respond to the allegations, the harshest and most serious ever made by Iraq. It was even more unusual that the accusations came personally from the Iraqi leader who made no effort to mince his words. On Thursday, Ian Broughton, a New Zealander working on the United Nation's mine-clearing operations in northern Iraq, left the country after he was accused of breeding and planting eggs of locusts, insects that destroy crops. The United Nations withdrew Broughton after the government demanded his expulsion. The government produced no evidence against Broughton, and a U.N. statement said Thursday that Broughton was not even in the area on April 8 when he is alleged to have buried the eggs near the border town of Khanaqin in the northeast. Addressing high-ranking officials of the ruling Baath Party on Thursday, Saddam said Broughton was acting on behalf of intelligence services of foreign states. ``This action is not personal. It is the work of states and intelligence agencies belonging to them,'' he said without naming the countries. ``The aim of those burying locust eggs ... or transferring viruses and germs to Iraq is to harm public health and lower quantities of food available to Iraqis,'' Saddam was quoted as saying. He did not substantiate his allegation about the transfer of germs and viruses. ``The enemies were using the United Nations as a means to spread diseases among the people of Iraq ... There is a germ which is breeding (here) under the cover of the United Nations,'' he said. Saddam said most of the U.N. staff in Iraq, whether involved in disarmament activities or relief distribution, are spies and thieves. ``The Iraqi people are aware that the majority, but not all, of U.N. employees have been engaged in stealing Iraqi antiquities. They are seen spending the day in markets buying anything that will bring them a profit abroad,'' Saddam said. In the past such charges were only made against U.N. weapons inspectors who left Iraq last year shortly before the United States and Britain launched airstrikes to punish Iraq for allegedly failing to meet its disarmament obligations. Iraq has vowed not to let the inspectors set foot in the country again. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has admitted that spies recruited by the CIA had infiltrated the ranks of U.N. weapons inspectors in Iraq. Since the inspectors left the country, the government has stepped up attacks on U.N. relief workers who supervise and administer the implementation of the oil-for-food deal in Iraq. The United Nations denies that any of its nearly 400 relief workers has ever been involved in spying. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
