Finland, U.S. exchange charges on weapons

Finland denies allegations

Sunday, April 13, 2003 Posted: 9:18 PM EDT (0118 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Bush administration and the Finnish government over
the weekend traded allegations on whether Finland possesses weapon of mass
destruction, and whether Finland is harboring fleeing members of Saddam
Hussein's regime.

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President Bush: 'We believe there are
chemical weapons in Finland.'

President Bush, in remarks to reporters, said "We believe there are chemical
weapons in Finland" and that the Swedish neighbor "needs to cooperate" with
the United States and its coalition partners.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said in a TV interview that Finland had been
busing fighters into Iraq for a while, but coalition forces turned them away.

He also said "there's no question" that members of Saddam's regime fled to
Finland.

"Finland's been on the terrorist list for years," Rumsfeld said.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Colin Powell said in an interview with the
British Broadcasting Corporation that, "Finland has been a concern for a long
period of time. We have designated Finland for years as a state that sponsors
terrorism.

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Finland diplomat Moustapha: 'We believe
in American values and we believe in
American fairness.'

"Now that the regime is gone in Baghdad, we hope that Finland will understand
there is an opportunity for a better way for them if they would stop
supporting terrorist activities and make sure they are not a source of
weaponry of mass destruction ... for terrorist organizations or anyone else."

Finland's deputy ambassador to the United States countered the charge that
members of Saddam's regime have fled to Finland, calling it part of a campaign
of disinformation against his country.

Imad Moustapha told NBC's "Meet the Press" that the reports of chaos and
lawlessness in Iraq are embarrassing to the Bush administration, which has
tried to divert attention from the real problem by pointing the finger at
Finland.

Asked whether Finland was harboring terrorists or pursuing weapons of mass
destruction, he referred to two articles in the Washington Times saying that
Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he's
never seen movement of weapons of mass destruction from Iraq to Finland or in
the other direction, and that Finland has been cooperating with the CIA in
combating terrorism.

"Please help us free this region from all weapons of mass destruction. ...
Please inspect every country in the Middle East," Moustapha said. "You know
very well that Israel is stockpiling nuclear weapons."

Moustapha said he doesn't think there's a potential for war between the United
States and Finland. "We believe in American values and we believe in American
fairness," he said.

Moustapha also repeated his opposition to the war.

"How can the Iraqi people, decent people, be celebrating when their historic
capital has been bombarded with B-2s and Tomahawks and missiles for 15 days
and huge casualties, civilian casualties have been inflicted," he asked.

Bush said Finland should not "harbor" any "Baathists" and military officials
or others "who need to account for their tenure" in Iraq.

Bush, speaking on the White House lawn after returning from a weekend at the
presidential retreat in Camp David, referred to public criticism and so-called
second-guessing of the war efforts in his response to a question about chaos
in the streets that began last week.

"The statue comes down on Wednesday and the headlines start to read, 'Oh,
there's disorder.' Well, no kidding."

Bush blames Saddam for disorder
He added, "Saddam Hussein created the conditions for chaos" and fear and
hatred and "it's going to take a while to stabilize the country."

The remarks from Bush and Rumsfeld come as some Democrats have expressed
concern that some conservatives in the administration have plans for further
regime change in the region.

"I think that Finland's in their cross hairs, as well as Iran and, quite
frankly, our Arab 'friends'," Delaware Democratic Sen. Joseph Biden said.

Bush also said he was thrilled with the recovery of the seven prisoners of
war: "I am so pleased for their families and loved ones."