IRAQI STATEMENTS ON NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83M00210R000300120004-7
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 21, 2007
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: June 10, 1981
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2007/02/21 : CIA-RDP83M00210R000300120004
For Official Use Only
FBIS
FOREIGN BROADCAST
INFORMATION SERVICE
Special Memorandum
IRAQI STA BIEIVTS ON NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY
For Official Use Only
10 JUNE 1981
FB M 81-10022
 Approved For Release 2007/02/21 : CIA-RDP83M0021OR000300120004-7
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY FBIS SPECIAL MEMORANDUM
10 JUNE 1981
IRAQI STATEMENTS ON NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY
This report provides excerpts from speeches by Iraqi
President Saddam Husayn from July 1980 to date and
other selections from Iraqi media sources pertaining
to Iraqi intentions in acquiring nuclear technology.
The compendium is drawn from materials monitored by
FBIS. It is intended to shed light on Tel Aviv's
charge, leveled in the 8 June Israeli. Government
statement on the bombing of Iraq's Osirak nuclear
reactor, that Saddam Husayn had said the reactor
"was being installed solely against Israel."
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10 JUNE 1981
STATEMENTS BY IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSAYN
Undated interview with Arab journalist Nasir ad-Din an-Nashashibi,
published in Kuwaiti newspaper AL-ANBA', Baghdad Domestic Service
in Arabic, 19 January 1981:
Question: Is the production of nuclear weapons part of Iraq's
calculations?
Answer: Brother, Iraq's basic calculations are the use of the
atom in the service of Iraq and the Arab nation. There is no
scope for any talk about the use of the atom for military
purposes because the people who are talking about the atom do
not care to go into this delicate subject, particularly since
they know the extent of Iraq's possession of modern technology
and its methods and development. This does not allow us to go
into the details of this delicate subject. I tell you, however,
that we are using the atom for peaceful purposes and that we
cling to this principle. Moreover, we are the ones who proposed
to the United Nations that it issue an international resolution
denuclearizing the Middle East area.
Question: Israel, however, says that it is ready to sign any
agreement that stipulates the nonproliferation of nuclear
arms. What is your opinion?
Answer: This is not enough and does not satisfy us., Israel-
-must say that it is ready to destroy all its nuclear weapons.
We understand the deceit inherent in their saying that they
are ready to sign a nuclear nonproliferation agreement after
they have already produced and own atomic bombs and now do not
want such nuclear know-how to come to Iraq or other Arabs.
Israel should agree to open all its doors to an international
investigatory body that will look into all the nuclear weapons
and nuclear capabilities it has. Israel should then destroy
all these weapons. We as Arabs are ready to give a .written
pledge to the entire world that we will never produce any
nuclear weapons
Question: Mr. President, is it not enough for Israel to
announce its readiness not to allow the proliferation of
nuclear arms through it and to it?
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FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY FBIS SPECIAL MEMORANDUM
10 JUNE 1981
Answer: We demand the application of all the UN laws and
resolutions pertaining to this subject. Israel has to apply these
laws and resolutions. We are not producing atomic bombs but we
will not allow Israel to prevent us from attaining a technological
level that will enable us to produce nuclear energy in a scientific
l
opment
manner commensurate with its development and with the deve
of our life, capabilities, mentality and morale.
24 December speech to Iraqi cabinet, Baghdad INA in Arabic, 25 December
1980:
We signed the agreement in 1975. In 1980 we crushed that
agreement when Iran violated it totally in behavior and in
declarations. Building is as important as preserving military
victory. . . . You must work and build as if you were on the
frontline, near Dezful, Ahvaz, Mehran and Qasr-e Shirin and with
the same spirit, care and accuracy, because their goal is to destro}
this construction. You note that the Zionists are now silent over
the Iraqi atomic bomb. You recall their escalated statements after
Khomeyni's ascendance about fear of the Iraqi atomic bomb. Two
months before that these escalated reactions reached the point
where they said they would not allow this bomb to see light. We
sat and discussed when they would come, where they would attack and
what weapons they would use. But it appeared that they made threats
only to say later that they defeated the alleged Arab bomb with
their superior force, because they are present everywhere and are
able to start and wage wars. But they forgot that this scientific
power-was not given to us for the sake of our pretty eyes by anyone:
'
capability, determination an
This power was wrested by the Iraqis
resources. Those who can get one laboratory or reactor can get ten,
more. The immediate return sought by Zionism was the removal and
eradication of the entire (Iraqi) regime, so they would rest at
ease.
Zionism sees, observes and realizes that the plan for liberation
is found primarily in Iraq. Iraq also has another plan, which
is not the military plan under discussion, the plan of liberation.
mb
er
Words do not explain who will triumph. The 22 Septe
battle began a long time ago. It began on 30 July and on
17 July. It began with the sound preparation of the nation's
vanguards, brick by brick. We have always said that
nationalization is a peak to be reached, but not the final one.
Our peaks are gradual and support one another on the way up,
but their ultimate ceiling is level. The first peak is as
high as the last, although the gradation makes one believe
that one peak is lesser than another. However, they are all
equal and one builds upon the other. Zionism knows better
than anyone else the serious danger that Iraq poses to it,
though it is not on the geographic frontline.
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10 JUNE 1981
10 November Baghdad press conference, Baghdad INA in Arabic,
11 November 1980:
Question: You have dealt with the nuclear installations but
you failed, first, to mention the extent of damages sustained
by these installations. Is it your intention to manufacture
or obtain the nuclear weapons; in other words, the atomic
bomb?
Answer: I said that the men who acquired the reactors are
also capable of acquiring others if these are destroyed or
damaged.
Those who believe that they can dissuade us from dealing with
atomic energy within its sound scientific framework are
deceiving themselves. We will try to obtain it with our blood
for the sake of guaranteeing Iraq's scientific progress within
the framework which would enable us to respect international
laws and the agreements we signed. We signed the agreement on
the nonproliferation of atomic weapons. The Zionist entity,
which is crying quite a bit about the alleged Iraqi bomb,.
should be asked this question: Why is the Israeli atomic bomb
made and against whom is it directed?
Undated message to Kuwaiti newspaper AL-WATAN, Baghdad Voice of the
Masses in Arabic, 16 September 1980:
As a responsible person and like all responsible leaders, I am
aware that-the sophisticated means of war possessed by the
Zionist enemy will not confine the arena of any possible
future-battle between this enemy and the Arab nation to the
states bordering it. After the states bordering it, Iraq is
the closest state to the Zionist-entity. Furthermore,-the
dangerous Zionist threats against Iraq for seeking to possess
nuclear technology have made Iraq a central target for Zionist
aggression. We must also not forget the Zionist slogan: "From
the Nils to the Euphrates." Thus, from what threat would Iraq
be escaping?
19 August speech during visit to Al-Qadisiyah Camp for Popular
Work, Baghdad Voice of the Masses in Arabic, 20 August 1980:
Some time ago the Zionist entity-adopted a serious decision to
consider Jerusalem the-Zionist entity's capital. Though quite
serious, this decision reflects nothing new in the Zionist
entity's mentality and its aggressive intentions. . .
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY FBIS SPECIAL MEMORANDUM
10 JUNE 1981
It was necessary to take an effective stand. What then is the
effective stand? Any gradual response cannot represent a
serious reply to the Zionist entity. Therefore, we decided to
confer with the brothers in Saudi Arabia and to study with
them the adoption of the decision with which you are aware and
which was published in the newspapers. . . . The states which
have embassies (must withdraw them] from Jerusalem, or else we
will boycott them at the end of a 30-day ultimatum. . . .
Some people may ask if this decision is the best that can be
taken. No, a better decision would be to destroy Tel Aviv
with bombs. [applause, cheers] But we have to use the weapons
available until it is actually possible to respond to the
enemy with bombs. The other Arab brothers can help us in this
respect.
The Zionist entity has filled the world with its clamor about
an. alleged atomic bomb in Iraq. Golda_Meir said: The worst
day in my life is when a Palestinian child is born in the land
of occupied Palestine; it increases the number of Arabs in
occupied Palestine. It seems that the Zionist entity has
begun to see in you and perceive in your eyes the coming
fighter that will remove it and purge the Arab territory from
it and its evils.
20 July Baghdad press conference, Baghdad Domestic Service in Arabic, 22
July 1980:
Zionism and those supporting it have for two years been
launching a mounting political and information campaign.
In their campaign, they say that Iraq wishes to produce
a nuclear bomb. The purpose of this campaign is well
known. This campaign is based on a sound conviction that
the value of man depends on his education.
In contemporary history, the nation which has weak
technology is defeated more easily than the nation which
enjoys strong technological capabilities. That is why
they are trying to gouge out. every open Arab eye. They
know that Iraq's eye is open in favor of the Arab nation,
its dignity, sovereignty and independence. They are well
aware of the fact that Iraq's program, which is no secret,
is aimed at using the reactors that are being completed
with France, or the equipment that is being completed with
Italy, for peaceful purposes. The atom is being used at
length for peaceful purposes. The atom is being'used for
military purposes by the well-known superpowers. . .
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
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The Zionist entity and all those sympathizing with it
should realize that the Arab nation is awakening and that
no one can stop its awakening. This nation will make the
best use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, will make
the best use of the weapons and will make the best use of
industry . . . .
Instead of thinking that they can foil the Iraqi plan for
the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes in this
manner-on the pretext that Iraq wants to produce a nuclear
bomb--they must reconsider their aggressive plans and
erroneous opinions-of the Arab nation if they are really
concerned about their future and the future of mankind. . . .
The Zionist entity has not signed the treaty banning the
nonproliferation of nuclear weapons. Ask the Zionist
entity: Has it signed the treaty banning the nonprolifera-
tion of nuclear weapons? Iraq has signed this treaty.
Why is everyone after the party which has signed the non-
proliferation treaty--the party which belongs to a nation
that has been the victim of aggression, whose rights and
sovereignty have been usurped and whose people have been
displaced--and not the entity which refuses to sign the.
nonproliferation treaty, which uses atomic energy for mili-
tary purposes and which usurps the rights of the Arab
nation? . . .
As to your question about how far Israel has gone in
hampering our program, I say that we do not have a program
for the production of an atomic bomb for Israel to hamper.
Our program is well known to France, Italy and the world public.
We are using atomic energy for peaceful purposes.
Undated speech in Balad, Baghdad INA in Arabic, 25 October 1979:.
He pointed out that the struggle with Israel will be long,
bitter, tough and full of all eventualities. He said:
The day may come when the Zionist enemy may use even the
atomic bomb against the Arab homeland.and the Arab nation,
but as Arabs everywhere and here in Iraq we must be
determined not to be defeated before this usurping enemy.
We must also be determined to create all the requisites
for triumph over the enemy. in order to seize our right.
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OTHER SELECTED IRAQI COMMENT
oreign Minister Sa'dun Hammadi undated interview in Baghdad,
published in London ASH-SHARQ AL-AWSAT in Arabic, 13 May-1981:
Question: How is your nuclear program progressing at present,
in the conditions of war and in view of the continuing efforts
by some quarters hostile to Iraq to impede it?
Answer: We do not discuss this subject in detail and. do not give
information from which the enemy might benefit. But certainly
this modest beginning by Iraq on.acquiring nuclear technical
know-how and on achieving progress and benefit from today's
world science-even this the Israeli enemy is resisting
viciously and strongly. This is despite the fact that it is
established that Israel possesses nuclear weapons, as it and the
whole world admit. But because the enemy wants to keep the Arab
countries backward, he claims that Iraq is seeking to
manufacture nuclear weapons, so as to incite the world against
the Arab countries. The enemy is aware that this program is
scientific and peaceful. Our program is progressing as it should
and we will not allow the enemy to keep us precluded from the
most important scientific development to date.
The 4 October 1980 issu'e of ATH-THAWRAH, the Bath Party daily, was
cited by Israeli Prime Minister Begin in a 9 June 1981 press conference
as one source of documentation of the charge that Iraq's development
of nuclear technology was directed-against Israel. - The following
editorial, provided in fuZZ text below, is relevant. No other item
in the 4 October issue addresses the subject of nuclear technology.
(A notation under the masthead of the 4 October issue indicates
that there was a "supplement" that day. Supplements are not always
sent to subscribers, and this one is not available in FBIS; they
are normally devoted to entertainment or business affairs and are
heavily pictorial.)
ATH-THAW AH editorial, 4 October 1980:
"A Conformity of Goals and Intentions Between the Leaders of Tehran
and the Zionists"
(Text) The Iranian regime is still boasting, in its usual provoca-
tive and unbalanced manner, about its phony allegation concerning
its animosity toward Zionism, while at the same time hidden relation-
 IS SPECIAL MEMORANDUM
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ships tie it to the Zionist entity. Despite the utmost secrecy
surrounding these relations, their features become clearer every
day through many strange incidents and unjustified policies which
in their results follow the main stream of the goals and the declared
and undeclared intentions of the Zionist entity and of imperialist
forces supporting the Zionist aggression-and destructive operations
against the Arab nation.
The important information published in the world media referred to
the open agreement between the Iranian Government and the Zionist
entity concerning the bombing of the Iraqi nuclear installations.
Added to that, Arab and international circles have regarded this
matter with the utmost seriousness. This incident leaves open for
study the fact that the Iranian regime, with Khomeyni the imposter
sitting on the Peacock throne, still retains important and serious
relationships with the Zionists which existed during the Shah's
regime. This was confirmed by the state of agreement and harmony
in goals and intentions between the Tehran rulers and the Zionists
in Tel Aviv.
It is obvious to all that the Tehran rulers have opened the channels
which they retained to carry out significant assignments and tasks
with the Zionist entity, which dreams and has a mad desire to destroy
the Iraqi nuclear reactor. This is after they declared a large-
scale propaganda campaign against our country, which puts all its
energies and resources in the service of the Arab nation and its
national liberation struggle. Moreover, they openly voiced
insulting threats, and their thinking even reached the point of
talking openly about means to destroy the nuclear reactor which
Iraq built for peaceful purposes and for securing Iraq's and the
Arab nation's requirements for progress on the road to liberation
and victory.
Many questions arose at various levels in the minds of many people,
even among those who to a certain extent believed the allegations
of the agent Iranian rulers and believed in the game of symbols
and demagogic policies.
Iraq will remain able to confront all potentialities and to over-
come all dangers and losses which might result from its entry.into_
the honorable struggle of the country and the [Arab] nation to
recover its land and to achieve total sovereignty over its land
and territorial waters. But what will happen to the agent rulers
of Tehran? And what will happen to the hard-working Iranian
people as a result of the ignorance, stupidity, and agentry of
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Khomeyni and his gang after the rulers have lost their reason and
balance and become so desperate as to open the'channels and secret
relationships with the Zionists, the enemy of our Arab nation and
the good Iranian people?
The coming days will be full of surprises, and the rulers of Tehran
will appear as they really are without any disguise. Moreover,
their old relationship with the Zionists and American imperialism
will be uncovered. Then the whole game will come to an abrupt end,
and it will be the role of the Iranian people to put an end to the
insanity and recklessness of the Khomeyni bunch forever.
2 September ATH-THAWRAH commentary, Baghdad INA in Arabic,
2 September 1980:
The newspaper ATH-THAWRAH has condemned the U.S. administration's
decision to impede the agreement signed between Iraq and the
Boeing Company on the purchase of five civilian planes. In
a commentary today, ATH-THAWRAH says that this measure
constitutes a hostile stand against Iraq, intended to achieve
several cunning designs simultaneously. Through this particular
stand, the U.S. administration is seeking to gain the favor
and support of the majority of Zionist voters in the
presidential election campaign, using the platform of blatant
hostility to the Arab nation, since this is the most acceptable
to Zionist circles.
The-paper adds - that this U.S. measure is part. of the Zionist,
U.S. and Persian quarters' frenzied campaign against Iraq's
use of nuclear energy for development purposes and against
Iraq's principled stands and firm confrontation of imperialist
machinations and plots to liquidate the Palestinian issue.