Iraq Keeps Banned Bomb-Detecting Devices in Use

[maddezmom]

Source: WSJ/AP

Associated Press
BAGHDAD--An Iraqi security official on Monday defended a bomb-detecting device that Britain banned for export to Iraq because of questions about whether it works, saying it would be a "big mistake" to withdraw it from checkpoints.


The ADE651, made by the British company ATSC, is used at security points across Iraq, including outside the protected Green Zone that includes the Iraqi Parliament and the U.S. and British embassies. Britain halted the export of the machine to Iraq and Afghanistan after a BBC report challenged its effectiveness.

But Col. Hato al-Hashemi, a senior explosives expert at the Iraqi Interior Ministry, said the estimated 2,000 devices used by Iraqi security forces wouldn't be taken out of service.

"We have great confidence in this device," Mr. al-Hashemi said. "They have proven their effectiveness in discovering and seizing many car bombs and cars that were loaded with explosives and weapons."


Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703808904575024762000803900.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

[Arctic Dave]

1. In other words, it gives them an excuse to stop and search who ever they want.

If they find nothing, blame the device.

[sudopod]

2. They're trying to find bombs with dowsing rods.

You may think I'm pulling your leg, but I'm not.

http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/763-when-antiscience-kills-dowsing-for-bombs.html

Jesus, WSJ, do some goddamned research. The scandal is that people are getting blown up because the security forces are trying to use magic to detect explosives.

[AngryAmish]

3. exactly