[103413] in Cypherpunks
Re: arms collectors...
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Jim Burnes)
Fri Sep 25 22:15:21 1998
Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 19:46:38 -0600 (MDT)
From: Jim Burnes <jvb@ssds.com>
To: David Emery <die@die.com>
cc: cypherpunks@toad.com
In-Reply-To: <19980925195613.A3801@die.com>
Reply-To: Jim Burnes <jvb@ssds.com>
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
