Saddam's looted yellowcake and Niger.

[ChiDem]

Maybe I am stupid, but what is the difference between Saddams yellowcake link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3009082.stm

And the yellowcake Bush accused Saddam of shopping for in Niger ?

[teach1st]

1. I think the Tuwaitha uranium...

...had been under UN seal since the first Iraq war. There was no way that Saddam could access it.

The Niger uranium was in Niger. The document supporting an attempted purchase by Iraq was a forged document.

[ChiDem]

2. Of course it was under seal...

Till Bush invaded.

But Saddam could have used this material if he really wanted, an 'accident' could have happened at the site...an explosion, a theft..perhaps looters

You know how this works...

Fact is Saddam had no program to use it with.

Just wondering if it is the same stuff

[teach1st]

3. Doubtful

But Saddam could have used this material if he really wanted, an 'accident' could have happened at the site...an explosion, a theft..perhaps looters

I don't think so. The sanctions were pretty tough from what I understand, and the materials were inventoried and well-guarded. Had Saddam had a program to use the stuff, and had it been taken after "an accident" (and I think quite a bit of the stuff would have had to have been taken to make a viable device) it still would have taken Sadddam time to make a viable nuclear device - the UN or the US would certainly have had time to take strong military measures to make sure the stolen material wasn't put to use.

And, since doing so would have been a violation of the UN sanctions and an invitation to being attacked, I don't think Saddam would have done it.