Book Review: Spider's Web: The Secret History of How the U.S. Illegally Armed Iraq

By Shannon Soignier, from the March 2003 Newsletter

Although written in 1993, "Spider's Web: The Secret History of How the U.S. Illegally Armed Iraq" by Alan Friedman is important for understanding the pending war in Iraq and U.S.- Iraqi relations. "Spider's Web" exposes a clandestine world that was created in order to supply Saddam Hussein armaments during the Iran-Iraq war. Presidents Reagan and Bush pursued policies in direct contravention of existing law and of their own public statements.

In the 1980s, war had erupted between Iran and the Iraq, two countries both considered enemies of the U.S. Iran, having overthrown the Shah and in the process humiliated the U.S., was judged to be the greater evil. While contending that it was neutral, the U.S. tilted to Iraq and Saddam. William Casey, head of the CIA at the time, was the strongest proponent of assistance to Saddam.

Many in the White House and in the State, Treasury, Defense, Commerce, and Agriculture Departments were shocked and firmly opposed to this policy. But in both the Reagan and Bush administrations, a green light for Saddam's purchases permitted him to create a formidable high-tech military machine. Sales of almost any item were permitted including components for atomic, biological, and chemical weapons. All of these activities were in direct violation of existing laws and regulations relating to the transfer of military equipment.

To pay for this equipment, Iraq obtained loans guaranteed by the U.S. federal government. What was unique about the loans is that they were arranged by the U.S. Agriculture Department. Iraq was buying American food, then reselling it at a profit, and using the proceeds to purchase armaments. Numerous ordinary individuals were drawn into the periphery of this operation including a salesman who spoke Arabic and worked for a supplier, a trucker who hauled British supplies to Europe and the Middle East;, and a banker at an Atlanta bank that processed all the loans. Each profited from the arrangements, but all eventually grew wary of the operation and suffered for their involvement.

President Bush and James Baker were actively pushing their pro-Iraq policy in the summer of 1989 when these undercover operations began to unravel. When Saddam invaded Kuwait, the policy was suddenly reversed. Saddam became "Hitler," and the White House now embarked upon a cover up - but too late - the clandestine operations were leaking out.

Henry Gonzalez, head of the House Banking Committee, pressed for public hearings. The Commerce Department's top export official was fired when he appeared before the committee and told the truth. An independent counsel friendly to the administration was hired whose findings provided a whitewash of the affair. But loose ends still remained.

The book provides ample notes of sources to support the statements. In addition, there are three appendices of actual relevant documents. Two presidents knowingly violated their oath of office. They defied critically important laws dealing with the national defense of the country. They armed, with the most sophisticated weapons, a rogue state, a potential enemy, a country that did, in fact, become an enemy and has been embargoed in order to remove those armaments.

It is unfortunate that a scandal of such monumental proportions did not get proper news coverage. The cover up was not 100 per cent effective. But the news media, which continually exploits an O. J., a Princess Diana, or an Elian story for days on end on the front page or as the lead item on television and radio, gave this major scandal scant coverage.

This book is available at the Moscow Public Library.

Shannon Soignier is an RN and 3rd year law student with a BA in International Relations who enjoys playing basketball and blues guitar.

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