The United States Senate has unanimously passed legislation designed to entice Iraqi scientists to defect to the US, bringing with them their knowledge of Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) research program. The bill would grant permanent resident status to any Iraqi scientist who worked on chemical, biological or nuclear weapons and would be willing to share information with the US government, or has already done so. The bill was approved March 20, one day after the US launched its attack on Iraq.
The "Iraqi Scientists Immigration Act of 2003" (S.205) gives the Attorney General, in coordination with the Secretary of State and CIA director, authority to admit up to 500 Iraqi scientists with their families, on a case-by-case basis.
"We must take the lead in admitting those people who have the courage to betray Saddam's nuclear, chemical, biological or missile programs," said Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del), the bill's...
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