MOSUL, Iraq (AP)-[off the wire, no link]-U.S. military officials said Monday early tests of a suspected chemical production hideout indicate the shop may have been used to produce substances used in bombs but that no explosives or highly lethal chemicals have been found.
The building was raided last week by U.S. forces acting on a tip from a detainee. It was found to be holding 5,675 liters of various chemicals.
However, "Initial analysis did not indicate any highly lethal chemicals," said Col. Henry Franke, a nuclear, biological and chemical defense expert.
The military said no bombs - only their components - have been found.
The building was opened Monday to journalists, who were escorted by U.S. military officials.
At least six barrels and dozens of 20-liter containers were still in the building, which Army Maj. Michael Petrunyak said contained acids and ammonium.
Petrunyak, who led the tour of the site, refused to give further details about the chemicals, saying the information was classified because an investigation at the site continued.
Chemical samples have been sent to the U.S., and experts are working around the clock on further testing, Franke said.
Officials have said the seized chemicals don't appear to be linked to Saddam Hussein's former government. The U.S. invaded Iraq in March 2003 to destroy Saddam's purported weapons of mass destruction. No stockpiles have ever been found.
The military has found many suspected chemical sites in the past, none of which ended up containing chemical or biological weapons. Testing of such sites can take several days.
Copyright © 2005 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.(AP-DJ)--08-15-05 1420EDT |
