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October 20, 2002
   
The US has six satellites (Keyhole photographic types and Lacrosse radar types) flying over Iraq every day, but as there are gaps of an hour or two (or more) between passes, Iraq has been able to elude the satellites while dispersing chemical and biological weapons and equipment. One satellite tracked a convoy of 60 trucks on 25 September as it rolled out of a known bioweapons facility and headed into the Iraqi hinterland. The convoy was lost after the satellites moved out of range. The episode, one of many, is considered proof that Iraq not only has such weapons and equipment, but is moving rapidly to disperse it before the US can bomb it. Only a regime change could unearth all of the hidden equipment and weapons stocks.--Stephen V Cole