On Fri, 25 Sep 1998, David Emery wrote:
----- Forwarded message from "Thomas B. Roach" <sigint@thegrid.net> -----
Washington Times, 25 Sep 98 Operable missile seized in customs By Bill Gertz THE WASHINGTON TIMES
U.S. and British authorities are investigating how a Russian-design Scud missile was imported illegally by a weapons collector in California, The Washington Times has learned.
"This is a full-blown missile," said John Hensley, a senior agent of the U.S. Customs Service in Los Angeles. "The only thing missing is the warhead."
A Scud B missile and its mobile transporter-erector launcher --minus the warhead -- were seized Sept. 2 by customs agents in Port Hueneme, Calif., about 35 miles north of Los Angeles, said officials familiar with the case.
Scuze me for picking nits, but if the missile doesn't have a warhead then its just a rocket (plus some guidance systems). When does a rocket become a "weapon of mass destruction"? Maybe what American officials should be investigating is how US defense contractors got an export license to sell ICBM components to the ChiCom's. I heard it was OK'd by the pres himself -- theorectically for big campaign donations. If those missiles are targeted at US, then that would constitute blatant treason, would it not? Inquiring minds want to know. jim