Britain admits hoax 'weapons of mass destruction' in Iraq

LONDON - A few days before the outbreak of war in Iraq, the British government has received information and learned that Saddam Hussein's forces did not have the ability to attack with chemical weapons, says a former British officials in meetings related to the panel investigating the Iraq war.

William Ehrman, who was then serving as director of international security at the British foreign office minister, said on Wednesday (25/05/2011) says that British intelligence had the iinformasi about the absence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq before the invasion of Iraq - led by George W. Bush.

"We get information that no chemical weapons and biological (in Iraq). And Iraq may not have the means to threw it. Iraq also may not have a warhead that can distribute the chemicals effectively, "" Ehrman said in a hearing in London.

However, Ehrman says that such information had no effect at all against the war. He depicts a series of directives related to intelligence about weapons of mass destruction between 2000 and 2002 as meeting the "sporadic".

In a summary of information about the Iraq war in 2003 said that Saddam could have "launched weapons of mass destruction", defined by officials as a chemical weapon, within 45 minutes.

Tim Dowse, a former British foreign ministry official, said he was not surprised to hear 45-minute estimate. "Because it still seems in line (with an estimate at the time)."

45-minute claim was causing political chaos in Britain, after the BBC pointed out that the intelligence data that contain such claims have been arranged in such a way as to strengthen support to wage war.

Tensions have increasingly become when David Kelly, a government weapons expert, found suicide amid claims stating that he is a person who is the BBC's news sources, thus making the government an investigation.

On the second day of investigation into the Iraq war, five-member panel will also discuss about the Libya and Iran, which became the main security concerns England before launching the invasion of Iraq.

"In terms of nuclear and missile, I think Iran, North Korea and Libya may be far more alarming when compared with Iraq." Ehrman said.

Dowse said that Iraq "is not on top of the list (countries) who became the British concern. In my opinion, in terms of concern in 2001. Libya and Iran should be placed on top of Iraq, "he said.

Dowse said that they did find "evidence of contacts between Iraqi officials and members of al-Qaida in late 1990." However, the contact is sporadic and only occasionally. "It does not look like a relationship between the Iraqi government and Al-Qaeda.

"After the events of 9 / 11, we conclude that Iraq is actually a step back. They do not want to be associated with Al-Qaeda. They are not natural allies. "

The investigation, led by John Chilcot, a former official, was to discuss the justification for war, how well the equipment provided to military and foreign policy lesson for the future.

The former British senior officials from the foreign ministry and defense on Tuesday (24 / 5) reveals a summary of British policy towards Baghdad in early 2000.

A hearing is expected to reach its peak when Tony Blair, former British prime minister, get the "turn" to speak before or after the new year.