Observer investigation: the Iraq crisis

Key sources

This article appeared in the Observer on Sunday March 17 2002 on p15 of the Focus section. It was last updated at 02:29 on March 17 2002.

Name: Dr Khidir Hamza

Who is he?
High-level defector from Iraqi nuclear programme

Supporters say:
Key source of intelligence of Iraq's bomb-making plans

Detractors say:
Wants to see America depose Saddam and has exaggerated what he really knows

Name: Adnan Saeed al-Haideri

Who is he?
Iraqi civil engineer who claims that Saddam is rebuilding secret chemical and biological weapons factories

Supporters say:
That he has provided the smoking gun that proves Saddam threatens the world

Detractors say:
He comes from a tainted source and there is no independent confirmation of his claims

Name: Scott Ritter

Who is he?
Former US Marine intelligence officer turned weapons inspector. Once a hawk, now a dove

Supporters say:
Knows more about Iraq's weapons programme than anyone else and is the voice of reason

Detractors say:
He has become too close to Iraq

Name: James Woolsey

Who is he?
Former director of the CIA and high-level supporter of the Iraqi National Congress

Supporters say:
Uniquely understands the threat from Saddam Hussein

Detractors say:
His close links with the Iraqi National Congress make him a tainted source

Name:
David Albright

Who is he?
Former nuclear inspector and academic

Supporters say:
Cool voice of reason on the Iraqi threat

Detractors say:
He has failed to appreciate the full scope of the Iraqi threat

This article appeared in the Observer on Sunday March 17 2002 on p15 of the Focus section. It was last updated at 02:29 on March 17 2002.