Russia arms cache found

[MORTARDUDE]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2003131940,00.html

Russia arms cache found


By IAN BRUCE

RUSSIAN missiles dated 2002 were found yesterday in a bunker south of Basra ? despite a UN embargo on arms sales to Iraq since 1991.

Components, believed to be fuses for detonators, were also discovered in boxes stamped ?Wallop Industries Limited, Middle Wallop, Hampshire?.

The missiles find threatens a major diplomatic bust-up with Russia, which has opposed Allied efforts to disarm Saddam.

Russian lettering and the year 2002 were clearly stencilled on the containers of two Al Harith anti-ship cruise missiles.

A larger missile, between 30 and 40ft long, lay nearby. It also bore Russian writing.

There were no dates on the British components.

The arms were discovered by Scottish troops from the Black Watch Battle Group at As Zubayr.

They also found rocket-propelled grenades, landmines and machine-gun rounds, stacked in 24 bunkers and 48 sheds.

The heliport perimeter was dotted with abandoned slit trenches.

Lt Angus Watson, who was in charge of the platoon which found the explosives, said: ?There?s enough to kit a brigade.

?It makes you wonder what chance UN inspectors had of finding anything damning in a country this big.?

Last night British troops of the 7th Armoured Brigade ? the Desert Rats ? came under fire from rocket-propelled grenades, artillery and machine-guns outside Basra.

Two Land Rovers attached to the 1st Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers were hit by grenades near As Zubayr.