The World; SHOWDOWN WITH IRAQ; U.S. Foresees Threat From Iraqi Agents; Officials say 'credible information' exists that cells activated by Baghdad could attack in Europe and elsewhere in Mideast in event of war HOME EDITION

In Washington, officials confirmed Tuesday that U.S. intelligence agencies have picked up "a lot of chatter" on the Iraqi intelligence circuit in the last month that has led to warnings at several major U.S. embassies. Among those have been the missions in Egypt, Thailand and South Africa,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Los Angeles times
Main Author Michael Slackman and Robin Wright
Format Newspaper Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Los Angeles, Calif Los Angeles Times Communications LLC 05.03.2003
Subjects
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia
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Summary:In Washington, officials confirmed Tuesday that U.S. intelligence agencies have picked up "a lot of chatter" on the Iraqi intelligence circuit in the last month that has led to warnings at several major U.S. embassies. Among those have been the missions in Egypt, Thailand and South Africa, the officials said. Some key personnel believe that the chatter is probably disinformation, although it "outstrips" what the United States has seen or tapped in the past, the U.S. official added. Over the last decade, U.S. intelligence has kept a close and effective watch on Iraqi intelligence. Another knowledgeable U.S. official in Washington confirmed that authorities have received "credible information" about Iraqi terrorist cells having been sent to several cities overseas, where they are believed to be poised to attack Americans or U.S. institutions.
ISSN:0458-3035