Iraq/Russia Spy Ties Found

[Ksyrup]

Top-secret Iraqi intelligence documents found in Baghdad show that Russia funneled spy secrets to Saddam Hussein and that Moscow was still training Iraqi spies last fall, in violation of U.N. sanctions, reports say.

The captured documents also show that the Kremlin gave Saddam lists of assassins who could do "hits" in the West and that Iraq and Russia signed deals to share intelligence and help get "visas" so agents could go to Western countries, the London Telegraph reported.

One document also suggests that Russia believed Iraq had a nuclear-weapons program -- at the same time the Kremlin was publicly denying it.

The Arabic documents -- the first in a likely flood -- show cooperation between Russia and Iraq that's far more extensive and recent than previously reported. There were even copies of Christmas cards exchanged by Iraqi and Russian intelligence chiefs, the report adds.

A U.S. official described the reports as "plausible."

If true, they could raise grave doubts about U.S.-Russian relations and President Bush's belief that he looked into Russian President Vladimir Putin's "soul" and knew he could trust Russian leader.

They also raise new questions about Russia's motives when it formed an axis of the unwilling with France and Germany to block U.S.-British efforts to have the U.N. Security Council to get tough with Saddam.

Bush has complained to Putin that Russian companies sold Iraq military gear like satellite jammers, intended to interfere with U.S. weapons, and anti-tank weapons, possibly funneled through Syria. Russia denied it.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported documents found in personnel files of Iraqi intelligence agents show they got spy training as recently as last September from the "Special Training Center" in Moscow, complete with diplomas. One agent's file -- found at an annex to Iraq's Mukhabarat spy agency -- showed he completed "acoustic surveillance" training last Sept. 15, and got a diploma with Russia's double-eagle insignia, the report said.

Such training would violate U.N. sanctions.

Other documents -- mostly intelligence reports from anonymous agents and the Iraqi Embassy in Moscow -- show that Russia and Iraq also agreed to exchange information on Usama bin Laden, the Telegraph said.

One report, dated March 5, 2002, and marked "Subject -- SECRET" is from an Iraqi intelligence agent who relates that a Russian colleague gave him details of a private chat between British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Belusconi that took place Feb. 15.

Blair "referred to the negative things decided by the United States over Baghdad" -- which Bush presumably told him in private -- but Blair refused to take military action in Iraq until after a new government was set up in Afghanistan.

A document dated March 12, 2002, says the Russians warned Iraq that if it refused to comply with the United Nations, it would give the United States "a cause to destroy any nuclear weapons," the Telegraph said.

[NoMyths]

"Axis of the unwilling" lol everyone's a Nazi but us.

[Anrhydeddu]

No wonder Russia had been very defensive about this whole war. I guess we wait now until we uncover billions of dollars worth of coverups and shady deals between France and the Iraqi oil companies.

[Hammer755]

Russia spied on Blair for Saddam

[sachmo71]

You mean the RUSSIANS had alterior motives?

[Maple Leafs]

Originally posted by Ksyrup
There were even copies of Christmas cards exchanged by Iraqi and Russian intelligence chiefs, the report adds.

Do the Hallmarks in Iraq really carry that wide a selection of Christmas cards?

[Fritz]

I has been known for a while that Russia made some extra cash contracting out its intel services.

[andy m]

i thought the Russians were proponents of AMD myself.

[Fritz]

AMD? Andy's menstrual discharge?

[User #2735]

I hate this. I was really hoping the Russian government was becoming something we could trust.

[CAsterling]

Originally posted by User #2735
I hate this. I was really hoping the Russian government was becoming something we could trust.

I trust the Russian goverment - about as much as I trust the American goverment

[The Afoci]

Originally posted by CAsterling
I trust the Russian goverment - about as much as I trust the American goverment

Stunning

[Anrhydeddu]

You have to forgive CAsterling. He doesn't appreciate the difference of our Constitution and Bill of Rights, as compared to the Russian "Constitution". Being a Brit and all, I would suspect there are still hard feelings and jealousy from 1775-1781.

[CAsterling]

Originally posted by Anrhydeddu
You have to forgive CAsterling. He doesn't appreciate the difference of our Constitution and Bill of Rights, as compared to the Russian "Constitution". Being a Brit and all, I would suspect there are still hard feelings and jealousy from 1775-1781.

No, I have no hard feelings, I'm enjoying my visit to the colonies, must say I like what you rebels have done with the place
My favourite moment over here - being asked - "Why don't the English celebrate the 4th of July "

Seriously, though, I don't have any major problems with the setup of the American goverment, I just don't trust goverments, (whether they be French/English/American/Russian/German etc)especially those whose leaders main motivation is to get re-elected.

[Anrhydeddu]

Ah, so a monarchy would be better. I knew there was a reason to throw out the king.

[CAsterling]

definitely a monarchy would be great - as long as the Monarch isn't Prince Charles

[Fritz]

somebody is starting to sound like English Bob.

[tucker342]

I don't trust our goivernment at all... But I don't trust any governments


Also, we help out dictators all the time. But it's different because we're America?

[CAsterling]

Nothing wrong with helping out dictators - dictators are legitimate rulers too (and some of them actually improve their nations and help their people).

Personally I looking for an acceptable dictator to be a quality henchman for - the benefits are amazing.
Great life style for a few years, tons of money to deposit in foreign banks and then assuming the escape plan works a life of luxury at the end (or a shallow grave if it goes wrong).

[ACStrider]

Originally posted by Fritz
somebody is starting to sound like English Bob.

A.K.A. the Duck of Death...Great movie ref. Fritz!

"With a king or a king, one would tremble so as not to be able to shoot. With a president, well, why not shoot a president?"