arms collectors...

----- 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.

The missile system was licensed for importation by the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.  But paperwork in the case was falsified,
and the missile system was not "demilitarized" -- rendered inoperable --
as required by import rules, Mr.  Hensley told The Times.

British customs officials are investigating the seller, a small firm
outside London, and U.S.  investigators are questioning an arms
collector from Portola Valley, Calif., near Palo Alto, who bought the
system, Mr.  Hensley said.

The missile transfer has raised fears about the proliferation of weapons
of mass destruction and missile-delivery systems.  It also could be an
embarrassment for the Clinton administration, which is engaged in a
major international diplomatic effort to halt missile exports by Russia
and China to the Middle East.  The importation raises questions about
U.S.  national security controls.

Mr.  Hensley said U.S.  military experts examined the missile and
determined that it was produced in Czechoslovakia in 1985.  The missile
was identified as an SS-1C, which the Pentagon has designated as a Scud
B.

Transfers of missiles like the Scud B, with a range of 186 miles, are
banned under the international export agreement known as the Missile
Technology Control Regime.

Customs officials said the missile was not identified until it was
driven off the British freighter that delivered it and an inspector
called customs agents to examine it.

Such weapons can be imported but must first be cut up with a blowtorch
so they can never be reassembled.

The officials identified the buyer only as a wealthy man who is a U.S.
citizen.  He is a legitimate arms collector -- apparently not linked to
terrorists or illicit arms dealers.  But the false paperwork has raised
questions about the deal and prompted the U.S. investigation.

			 Mr.  Hensley said the buyer had purchased a Scud missile earlier
that had been properly rendered inoperable.  But a photograph of that
missile was attached to the illegal system, seized Sept.  2, in an
effort to fool customs officials.

After examining the missile, customs agents called the ATF and were
surprised to learn that an ATF license had been issued for the missile
importation.

"We thought they were nuts," said one official close to the case.  The
missile system is being stored at the Navy's Pacific Missile Testing
Center in nearby Point Mugu, near Oxnard, where it has been impounded.

John D'Angelo, an ATF agent in Los Angeles, had no official comment on
the case.  "Routinely, the ATF and U.S.  Customs Service examine items
to determine their suitability for importation under federal
regulations," he said.  "We have not yet completed the inspection of
this importation and therefore can't discuss it."

The SS-1 Scud is a liquid-fueled missile that is among the most widely
deployed weapons in the world.  It is in service with more than 16
nations.  Iraq's military forces were able to extend the range of the
missile, which was fired extensively during the 1991 Persian Gulf war.

The chassis of the missile's launcher was identified as a MAZ-543 truck
used commonly by the former Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces for
short-range missiles.

"The guidance was totally intact and the engine was ready to go," Mr.
Hensley said.  "All you needed to do was strap on a garbage can full of
C-4 and you had a weapon." C-4 is military high explosive.

Concerning how the missile was handled by the British firm, Mr.  Hensley
said, "It is illegal to import this into the U.K., so the Brits are
wondering how this guy got this company to do this."

Investigators suspect the missile may have been bought in Europe on the
black market.

"Our concern is not so much that [the buyer] might have a licensing
problem," Mr.  Hensley said.  "It's just that in the aftermath of the
embassy bombings in Africa and the Oklahoma City bombing, that this
could be a real problem."

The Customs Service is intensifying its efforts to check for illegal
imports of such weapons, he said.

Stephen Bryen, a former Pentagon technology-transfer official, said
weapons like the Scud must be fully dismantled before they can be
allowed into the country.

"You have to worry anytime somebody brings a missile into the United
States, whatever cover it might be," Mr.  Bryen said. He noted that
terrorists or rogue states could use such collectors to acquire missiles
illegally.

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

At 4:56 PM -0700 9/25/98, David Emery wrote:

>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.
....
>British customs officials are investigating the seller, a small firm
>outside London, and U.S.  investigators are questioning an arms
>collector from Portola Valley, Calif., near Palo Alto, who bought the
>system, Mr.  Hensley said.
.....
>The officials identified the buyer only as a wealthy man who is a U.S.
>citizen.  He is a legitimate arms collector -- apparently not linked to
>terrorists or illicit arms dealers.  But the false paperwork has raised
>questions about the deal and prompted the U.S. investigation.

I know someone who is good friends with this guy. My friend is a
commodities broker who is active in gun shows and in weapons dealing. The
guy mentioned above has a couple of working tanks at this ranch up in
Portola Valley, tanks which he drives around. And lots of other weapons. I
was supposed to go on a shoot with this bunch a while back, but I couldn't
make it.

His Scud missile is unlikely to have been planned for any real use. Maybe
they think that with the First Criminal's spawn enrolled in the school down
Alpine Road that he's some kind of threat.

I could say more, but then I'd have to kill everyone who reads the list.

--Tim May

(This space left blank pending determ. of acceptability to the gov't.)
---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:----
Timothy C. May              | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money,
ComSec 3DES:   831-728-0152 | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero
W.A.S.T.E.: Corralitos, CA  | knowledge, reputations, information markets,
Licensed Ontologist         | black markets, collapse of governments.

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At 07:46 PM 9/25/98 -0600, you wrote:
>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
>
>
>
>

I wouldn't be afraid to bet that some Republicans were in on this and 
worse. I am not a fan of either Dems or Reps but I wonder if the 
reason the sex angle is being persued first is to get Clinton and the 
Dems out without any mud splashback.

I have heard that Starr is far from finished so time will tell.

In the end though I doubt if much will change for the beltway 
bandits.

Edwin
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