US denies poison gas accusation by al Qaeda in Iraq

[ECH1969]

WASHINGTON, Sept 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. military on Monday denied an accusation that American and Iraq forces used toxic gas during an attack on the Iraqi town of Tal Afar in which up to 200 insurgents were killed.

The accusation was made in an audio-tape by a man believed to be al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The message was posted on a Web site on Sunday, the fourth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington.

A technical analysis of the message has not yet been completed. But a U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject, said the government believes the Zarqawi tape is authentic.

The tape surfaced as U.S. and Iraqi troops hunted rebels and foreign fighters in Tal Afar. Troops say rebels have been using the town as a conduit for equipment and men crossing illegally from Syria to fight the Shi'ite and Kurdish-led Iraqi government and occupying U.S. forces.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N12495203.htm

[shadowknows69]

1. Why does it say to me

that the fact we're even dignifying this accusation with a denial means it's probably true?

[wtmusic]

2. Another authentic Zarqawi fabrication

Technical analysis will show that it's a geniune CIA hoax.

[katsy]

3. Admittedly, I trust my government less than terrorists.

Here we go winning hearts & minds again.

I'd like to have some independent proof of the claim, although I wouldn't be surprised.

Terrorists are just politicians without the polish as far as I'm concerned. Both are equally deadly although you may have a greater chance of survival facing down a terrorist.

[Village Idiot]

4. What a JOKE!!!

<snip>
"Anything the man (Zarqawi) says is probably not true. But for certain, the claim of poison gas is not true," a Pentagon official said.</snip>

"I'm rubber and you're glue..."

[distantearlywarning]

5. One liar's word against that of another liar.

This could very well be true. And then again, Al Qaeda might just be making it up.

This is a sad world - don't know who to believe any more.

[Cocoa]

10. sad indeed

the whole world now knows that when it was Saddam's word against the U.S.'s word, Saddam was the one telling the truth. Pathetic.

[Tempest]

6. It was used in Fallujah

Why wouldn't it be used in Tal Afar?

Pretty sad when al-Qaeda can be considered more truthful and accurate than the Pentagon and Bush.

[daleo]

7. They are denying poison gas.

So that means they used "non-lethal" gas, or at least gas that is claimed to be non-lethal. There is probably too much evidence to flat out deny, so they are doing the old two level denial. They mentioned tunnels, and I recall reading that the U.S. military used CS gas in tunnels in Viet Nam.

""Anything the man (Zarqawi) says is probably not true. But for certain, the claim of poison gas is not true," a Pentagon official said."

The denial hinges on the term "poison".

[rocktivity]

11. DING DING DING! Daleo, you're our grand prize winner!

The denial hinges on the term "poison".

I suppose it's possible for a gas to be "toxic" or "dangerous" without being "lethal." And I dare say that ANY kind of gas can be lethal under the right circumstances. Enough carbon dioxide can certainly kill you, and so can enough plain water when heated to a gas. It is indeed a far cry from, "We didn't use gas at all."

:headbang:
rocknation

[Chicago Democrat]

8. IS IT MICROWAVE weapons?

invisable and nasty like gas maybe....

[WhiteTara]

9. if they' denying, they're lying

if they even talk about it, it is true. :grr: