News-Info-Alerts

Re: Clues to Speicher's Disappearance Surface

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: January 21, 2003

"Aerotech News and Review

Journal of Aerospace and Defense Industry News

Jan. 21, 2003

Defense News

Clues to Speicher's disappearance surface

by Leona C. Bull
senior staff writer

The Defense Department has obtained new intelligence that says Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Scott Speicher, a Navy pilot shot down over Iraq in 1991 is alive and being held captive by the Iraqi government.

Intelligence officials believe that some new reports may refer to Speicher.
The Navy, in an unprecedented action, changed Speicher's status to "missing/captured" was unprecedented and put the Pentagon in the awkward position of admitting that possibly an American had been left behind at the end of the Gulf war. It was the second time since 2001 that the Navy changed the downed pilot's status. He was initially declared killed in action after the F-18 jet he was flying was shot down over Iraq in January 1991. That was later changed to "missing in action" in 2001 and finally "missing/captured."

The status changes followed an investigation revealing that Capt. Speicher survived the F-18 downing by ejecting and numerous intelligence reports indicating that Iraq was holding a pilot from the Gulf war.

The latest reports, received in November, state that Iraq is holding a U.S. pilot and has moved the pilot among 18 locations in the country, according to officials familiar with the documents. The reports said the pilot was being treated by a doctor.

Officials could not say how reliable the reports are or whether they represent "circular reporting" - new reports based on old intelligence information from the same source or similar sources. However, the latest information supports earlier reports indicating that Iraq has been holding an American pilot since the war.

Cindy Laquidara, a Florida lawyer who represents Capt. Speicher's family, reportedly has spoken to an Iraqi defector who claims to have seen a captive U.S. pilot in Iraq. The defector is one of at least three Iraqis who reported that Baghdad is holding an American pilot from the 1991 Persian Gulf war.

Laquidara believes the recent reports are based on the defector's statements.
Laquidara added that she had contacted Iraq's ambassador to the United Nations about Capt. Speicher late last year and was told that Baghdad is willing to make a "humanitarian gesture," which she interpreted as meaning that Iraq may turn over the pilot or his remains.

"The Iraqis expressed a willingness to help me get answers to what happened, and where he or his remains are," she said. "They did not admit that they have him, only that they would help. We feel that there is an urgent need to resolve the case" before any conflict erupts," she said.

Sen. Pat Roberts, (R-Kansas) incoming chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said in an interview that he has been pressing the Bush administration to resolve the Speicher case, as preparations for war are under way.
"The bottom line is there is no evidence he was killed when his aircraft was shot down in 1991," Roberts said. "On the contrary, there are numerous reports that indicate he could be alive." Information obtained recently from congressional staff visits to the region indicate that "more and more there are signs that an American POW is in Iraq," Roberts said. "And with Iraq facing attack, Saddam may be more willing to help resolve the case.

"I think we have a window of opportunity now, and we should do everything we can to use that" to find out about Capt. Speicher, Roberts added. Roberts sent a letter to Saddam on Jan. 13, appealing for Baghdad's help.

Sen. Robert C. Smith, (R-New Hamp.) a member of the Armed Services Committee, said he has been tracking reports on the Speicher case for more than six years. "Unfortunately, we have not yet accounted for Commander Speicher, but I will continue to work with the administration to determine his fate. We must vigorously pursue every lead for the sake of Commander Speicher and his family. We owe him nothing less."

President Bush signed legislation into law in October aimed at helping to resolve Speicher's case. The Persian Gulf War POW/MIA Accountability Act amended earlier law on missing military personnel.

The new legislation gives the attorney general the power to grant refugee status to any Iraqi or Middle East national who "personally delivers into the custody of the United States government a living American Persian Gulf War POW/MIA.""