News-Info-Alerts

Re: Experts Urged to Probe Speicher Case

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Date: September 30, 2002

"Nelson urges expert to probe Speicher case


Times-Union staff
Weapons inspection teams dispatched to Iraq should include an expert who can investigate what happened to a Jacksonville Navy pilot shot down in the Persian Gulf War 11 years ago, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson says.

Nelson, D-Fla., formalized his request Wednesday in a letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell.

"We must use all tools at our disposal to obtain as much information as possible that could determine the fate of Capt. [Scott] Speicher," Nelson wrote.

Speicher was presumed dead after his FA-18 Hornet was shot down over Iraq the opening night of the war. But the Pentagon reclassified him as missing in action last year based largely on Central Intelligence Agency conclusions that he survived the crash and was captured by the Iraqis.

Intelligence sources have reported seeing Speicher imprisoned in Baghdad as recently as a year ago. Navy Secretary Gordon England is mulling another change in Speicher's status, to prisoner of war.

Nelson and Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., also urged Senate leaders Wednesday to include a reference to Speicher in any resolution authorizing President Bush to use force against Iraq.

© The Florida Times-Union "