freda underhill,

A couple of points

1. "facts" do not solely consist of "statistics". Example: it is a fact that it was only due to the efforts of the United States of America, that United Nations Security Council tabled Resolution 1441, and got it adopted unanimously, thereby allowing the return to Iraq of the United Nations weapons inspectors when they did. Even Kofi Annan and Dr. Hans Blix concede that - I personally don't give a damn if anyone else in this forum does, or not, it is however a fact.

2. Re Saïd K Aburish, and his book, pages 136 - 138 where he describes how, "...in 1975 the US Government knowingly helped Iraq obtain the technology to build its first chemical warfare plant." Ever heard the phrase "dual use" in relation to chemical/biological weapons and research? I think it applies or Mr. Aburish would have said, "...in 1975 the US Government knowingly helped Iraq build its first chemical warfare plant" - not quite the same thing. Unlike the French, who did knowingly help Iraq build its first nuclear power plant - ultimately rendered safe courtesy of the Israeli Air Force.