U.S. forces in Iraq last week discovered several bags of castor beans, which can be used to produce the deadly poison ricin, as well as commercial products such as brake fluid and castor oil (see GSN, June 27)

The United States has been searching for evidence of a weapons of mass destruction program to justify its invasion of Iraq earlier this year.  However, no evidence has been found to date (Reuters, June 26).

The bags were discovered at a former brake fluid plant, CNN.com reported.  U.S. officials said they are investigating the bags and their contents. (CNN.com, June 26).

According to a U.S. defense official, the beans were found in “a place where they could easily have been used for some other purpose than what we’re looking for (biological weapons).  It’s a find from the aspect that it can be also used for the bad stuff which is kind of a growing trend.  A lot of multiple-use things are being found” (Reuters, June 26).

Greenpeace Offers Clean Containers

Environmental activist group Greenpeace is offering clean water containers in exchange for contaminated barrels that were looted from an Iraqi nuclear complex following the U.S. invasion.

The U.S. military is offering $3 for the contaminated barrels, but Greenpeace said their offer is more practical.  To replace the contaminated containers, Iraqis would need to pay about $15, according to the group.

“This morning we collected four barrels.  It is a good start,” a Greenpeace spokesman said (Reuters/Planet Ark, June 30).

Blair Faces Criticism

British Prime Minister Tony Blair is under fire from Parliament’s foreign affairs committee, which is about to release a report that says the British leadership prevented a full investigation into claims that intelligence on Iraq was misused.

The report, which will be published next Monday, accuses Blair of preventing the committee from having full access to intelligence reports and officials.  The committee, however, is also expected to clear Blair’s communications director, Alastair Campbell, of ordering officials to exaggerate evidence of Iraq’s weapons programs (Watt/Wells, London Guardian, June 30).

Blix Retires

Chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix, meanwhile, retires from his post today.  Greek nuclear expert Demetrius Perricos will assume the post of interim chief weapons inspector (Anne Penketh, London Independent, June 30).

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