[A-List] US imperialism: Iraq, Yugoslavia

["Michael Keaney" <michael.keaney@xxxxxx>]

Yugoslavs 'helped Iraq develop cruise missile'
IAN BRUCE
The Herald: 29 October 2002

STATE-OWNED Yugoslav defence companies have spent two years helping Iraq to
develop a long-range cruise missile capable of striking any country in the
Middle East or southern Europe, according to the US state department.

Washington has now delivered a diplomatic warning to Belgrade to crack down
on Serb scientists employed by Yugoimport, the national armaments'
conglomerate, known to be working on a turbojet engine for the missile.

A number of technicians have made repeated visits to Baghdad since early
2001 after concluding a contract with an Iraqi front company called Al Fatah
to design and build a weapon that could deliver a high explosive, chemical
or biological payload with pinpoint accuracy.

Until now, Iraq had access only to outdated ballistic guidance systems for
its notoriously inaccurate Scud missiles.

US sources say the plot to produce a cruise missile was hatched last year
between former Serb military officers who now run defence companies in
Yugoslavia and Bosnia, and an Iraqi trading firm.

Although the contract was brokered with representatives of Yugoimport,
smaller companies named as Brunner, Infinity, GVS and Temex and Interdeal
have since collaborated on development of the missile's engine and
propulsion system. Brunner is also alleged to have helped Libya with weapons
technology.

Yugoslavian authorities have ordered the closure of Yugoimport's Baghdad
office and formed a commission to investigate US claims of breaches of the
UN arms embargo imposed after the 1991 Gulf War.

The Pentagon, meanwhile, has drawn up plans to mobilise more than 260,000
reservist "weekend warriors" to help defend America against terrorist
attacks if a US-led invasion of Iraq goes ahead.

Although fewer regular front-line soldiers are likely to be used in any
direct assault, part-timers would guard nuclear plants, defence factories
and military bases in the US and abroad.