The Command Post - 2004 US Presidential Election - Did The Russians Take The Missing Explosives?

October 27, 2004

| Did The Russians Take The Missing Explosives?

The Financial Times reports that John Shaw, a deputy under-secretary of defense, suggested that “Russian units” had transported the explosives out of the country:

In an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Shaw said: “For nearly nine months my office has been aware of an elaborate scheme set up by Saddam Hussein to finance and disguise his weapons purchases through his international suppliers, principally the Russians and French. That network included. . . employing various Russian units on the eve of hostilities to orchestrate the collection of munitions and assure their transport out of Iraq via Syria.”

The Russian embassy in Washington rejected the claims as “nonsense”, saying there were no Russian military in the country at the time.

Mr Shaw, who heads the Pentagon’s international armament and technology trade directorate, has not provided evidence for his claims and the Pentagon distanced itself from his remarks.

“I am unaware of any particular information on that point,” said Larry Di Rita, Pentagon spokesman.

Thanks to Rob, a reader of my “Commander Says Unlikely Large-Scale Removal of Explosives Occurred After U.S. Invasion” post for the tip.

UPDATE: The Washington Times provides more details to the theory that the Russians removed the missing explosives.

According to the Washington Times, Russian special forces troops moved many of Saddam Hussein’s weapons and related goods out of Iraq and into Syria in the weeks before the March 2003 U.S. military operation. The Washington Times, puts more faith in John Shaw, than did the Financial Times quoting Shaw extensively and not indicating, as did the Financial Times that the Pentagon distanced itself from Shaw’s remarks:

From California Yankee, here and here.

Posted by Dan Spencer at October 27, 2004 10:26 PM | TrackBack

Comments

Does anyone remember that caravan of Russians that we blew the fuk out of when it was moving 100mph toward the Syrian border back near the beginning of the war? I sure do.

Posted by: No Party at October 27, 2004 11:34 PM

See April 10, 2003’s “Saddam Hiding in the Russian Embassy?”. That links to other reports about the bombing of a Russian convoy leaving Iraq. However, the convoy appeared to be carrying nothing more than a Russian consular official, perhaps with some secret files.

There were also retired Russian generals supposedly in Iraq advising Saddam.

In case this report is true, this also might tend to put Putin’s endorsement of Bush in a clearer perspective.

Posted by: Lonewacko at October 27, 2004 11:36 PM

Lonewacko says…“However, the convoy appeared to be carrying nothing more than a Russian consular official, perhaps with some secret files.”

What did this guy look like, Jaba the Hut? I can picture it now, 2 forklifts and a dismantled PartyBalloonTrailer, followed by 30 GrainHaulers…

Now, THAT’S a convoy…

Posted by: Cap'n DOC at October 28, 2004 06:49 AM

Ya gotta love lonewacko. In the midst of the wreckage of Kerry’s october surprise he’s quick to point out that Putin endorsed Bush.

My goodness how desperate can a party get?

What I don’t understand is how anybody, at this point, could support Kerry. The French are up to thier armpits in UNSCAM, the Russians have just been outed as part of the problem and somehow we’re supposed to beleive that Kerry will “bring our allies to our side”. Leave me tell ya, with allies like these, who needs enemies?

Posted by: skip at October 28, 2004 09:49 AM

Here’s your source—Shaw—on the Russian angle…

Defense official reportedly steered contracts to cronies

Your antagonism to Kerry and the Ds has blinded you to what is going on. Wake up!

Posted by: dubyus at October 28, 2004 10:38 AM

Well before the start of military action, www.debka.com reported on the movement of weapons (including WMD), money and key personell from Iraq to Syria. They attributed their information to highly reliable intelligence sources.

Posted by: Straussian at October 28, 2004 10:43 AM

dubyus How’s Thermop?

As for your OT Strawman, get a grip. Like, the Dems have clean hands? I gotta tell ya, your PorkBarrel just keeps gettin’ bigger an better.

In the meantime, tell Kerry he can return what he stole from me and my dead brothers…

Posted by: Cap'n DOC at October 28, 2004 11:33 AM

Hey Folks,

Michelle Malkin has some links on Shaw as one of the sources linking the Russians. There are others making the connection as well. I’ll post some stuff later.

But in the meantime Michelle is linking to a DOD Press Release several months back that denies Shaw was under any time of investigation:

Link Here

Ron Wright, Moderator
HSPIG Forums Site
www.hspig.org

Posted by: Ron Wrght at October 28, 2004 12:13 PM

The democrats want the United states to fail you can almost see the twinkle in that little prick edwards eyes when he talks about iraq

kerry could care less about america he does not need america he has 500 million dollars he would rather see this country fail so that he can get elected

Posted by: navyvetagainstkerry at October 28, 2004 12:39 PM

“I can not vote for John Kerry. If for no other reason, because it would be spitting in the faces of all our Veterans, past, present, and future. Even worse, those that made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Posted by: No Party at October 28, 2004 03:24 PM