Iraq: Trying to Kill President Bush?

Counterterrorist Center Commentary

29 April 1993

Summary

Preliminary forensic data indicate Iraq provided ordnance to the individuals now in Kuwaiti custody who claim that Baghdad sent them to assassinate President Bush with a car bomb during his 14-16 April visit. [...] US Secret Service and FBI officers are on the way to Kuwait to participate in a coordinated investigation of the incident. (S NF NC OC)

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Overview as of 1600 on 29 April 93

[...]

Initial Forensic Data

[...] At this time, US Secret Service and FBI officers also are on the way to Kuwait to participate in a coordinated investigation of the incident.

Conclusions So Far

The car bomb [...] suggests that Iraq has decided to expand both the lethality and the scope of its overseas terrorist operations. Iraq has detonated bombs in Kuwait since the Gulf war, but none as large as the seized car bomb. Iraq also has killed individuals abroad since the war, but only Iraqi emigres. Moreover, if President Bush was the target of the planned attack--which is plausible, given Saddam's history of personal vendettas--the operation may mark a resumption by Baghdad of anti-Western terrorist operations abroad. On the other hand, Baghdad may have found President Bush's visit to Kuwait too tempting to pass up.

Comments

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