Iraq shoots down plane: Inspectors will compel scientists to leave Iraq

["Fred Feldman" <ffeldman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Note that the inspectors are now carrying out the
kidnapping/spying/defection operation against Iraq's skilled personnel and
defense forces that was demanded by Washington, and which Hans Blix
initially resisted.
Fred Feldman


Iraqis shoot down US spy plane
======================
JAMES HALL FOREIGN EDITOR
http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/paperboy.cfm?id=1429172002

IRAQI fighter planes shot down an unmanned United States spy plane over the
south of the country yesterday in what the Baghdad regime claimed was a
"delicate and planned operation".

The Pentagon said its Predator spy plane was downed by Iraqi planes that had
strayed into the southern no-fly zone. But Iraq said the drone, made famous
for its role against the Taleban in Afghanistan, had strayed into its
airspace.

The incident came as weapons inspectors announced they were making plans to
take scientists out of the country to interview them about Saddam Hussein's
weapons.

General Richard Myers, the chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff,
confirmed the drone was conducting a reconnaissance mission. "They got a
lucky shot today, and they brought down the Predator," Gen Myers said. He
added that he did not view the incident as an escalation of the dispute with
Iraq.

A spokesman for US military Central Command said: "This action is the latest
chapter in a lengthy list of hostile acts by the Iraqi regime."

The Iraqi military confirmed the shooting down, saying: "With God's help,
and with the will of the men of our heroic air defence forces and brave sky
eagles, it was shot down in a delicate and planned operation."

The attack came as United Nations nuclear experts yesterday revealed they
were dramatically stepping up their inspections regime and were making plans
to take Iraqi weapons scientists out of the country.

"We are now, I think, in the process of interviewing people inside Iraq in
private, but we are also working on the practical arrangements to take
people out of Iraq," said Mohamed el-Baradei, the chief of the International
Atomic Energy Agency. "We have first, however, to identify those who are
willing to co-operate with us, those who have critical information that will
enable us to succeed."


~~~~~~~
PLEASE clip all extraneous text before replying to a message.