Highlights of the CIA intelligence on Iraq-Niger

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http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N11321334.htm

WASHINGTON, July 11 (Reuters) - CIA Director George Tenet, in a highly unusual three-page statement, on Friday outlined the intelligence that the United States had about allegations that Iraq tried to acquire uranium from Niger.

The following are highlights from the statement, including quotes from a classified U.S. intelligence estimate.

-- "There was fragmentary intelligence gathered in late 2001 and early 2002 on the allegations of Saddam's efforts to obtain additional raw uranium from Africa, beyond the 550 metric tons already in Iraq."

-- CIA experts asked an individual with ties to the region to make a visit to see what he could learn and he reported back that a former official from Niger was unaware of any contract being signed between Niger and rogue states for the sale of uranium during his tenure in office.

-- The same former official also said that in June 1999 a businessman approached him and insisted he meet with an Iraqi delegation to discuss "expanding commercial relations" between Iraq and Niger, which the official interpreted as an attempt to discuss uranium sales.

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