U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said Wednesday the United States has uncovered evidence of Iraqi actions that directly violate a United Nations Security Council Resolution.

“The information and intelligence we have gathered point to an active and systematic effort on the part of the Iraqi regime to keep key materials and people from the inspectors,” Powell said.

In his speech Powell provided information he said proved the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. He said these weapons are being manufactured under the supervision of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Powell supported an earlier statement by inspector, Chief UN Weapons Inspector Hans Blix that “Iraq appears not to have come to a genuine acceptance of the disarmament which was demanded of it.”

Powell presented two tapes the United States recovered that reveal explicit telephone conversations between Iraqi military leaders. The tapes show attempts to remove remaining transportation devices that tie the Republic Guard of Iraq to al–Kindi Company, an organization known for its involvement with prohibited weapons.

Powell told the Security Council about the secret group known as the “higher committee for monitoring the inspections teams.” Powell said the committee, led by Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin, is evidence of Iraq’s knowledge of weapon inspectors’ agendas. The committee, including Lt. General Amir al–Sa’adi, reported directly to Hussein.

Sa’adi now serves as the contact between Blix and the Iraqi government.

“Sa’adi’s job is not to cooperate, it is to deceive.”

Powell said the Lt. General has pledged that Iraq will “unconditionally cooperate” with inspectors.

Powell also showed satellite photos of active chemical weapon facilities depicting decontamination vehicles at the site before inspectors were scheduled to arrive.

“These are not assertions. These are facts,” Powell said.

Powell also addressed the threat of biological and chemical weapons held by Iraq. Recalling the four years it took Hussein to admit to possession of such material, Powell denied the accuracy of the final reports.

“We have firsthand description of biological–weapons factories on wheels and on rails,” Powell said.

Four Iraqi defectors and other experts gave accounts that acknowledged the existence of mobile weapon production sites. Another source Powell cited said Hussein had performed experiments on Iraqi civilians sentenced to death row to “perfect its biological or chemical warfare.”

Powell warned of the mass destruction that such an attack could incur.

“A single drop of (the nerve agent) VX will kill in minutes,” Powell said. “Saddam Hussein’s inhumanity has no limits.”

Powell closed his speech suggesting the likelihood of coordinated efforts between Hussein and the terrorist group Al Qaeda. He did say, however, that the United States possessed no evidence directly connecting the two groups at this time.

Iraqi ambassador to the UN Mohammad Aldouri, denied Powell’s accusations that Iraq failed to confess its entire weapon of mass destruction capability in its lengthy weapons report.

The situation will be the topic of discussion again Thursday, in a conference with Iraqi representatives.

United Nations members responded with variance. Although Germany, China and Russia hope for a diplomatic settlement with Iraq, France chooses to remain completely opposed to war. Both Spain and Great Britain agreed with Powell’s claim Iraq was not cooperating with inspectors.

The United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said, “I still believe war is not inevitable.”

The Security Council is scheduled to meet with Blix and Mohammad ElBaradei Monday to receive more reports of continued inspections.

Local responses to Powell’s speech were varied as well. UW professor Jon Pevehouse, a political scientist, said it is good for the public to be informed about the situation and expects to see more support for action in Iraq.

The Bush administration’s position, however, remains clear.

“With Iraq’s well documented history on biological and chemical weapons, why should any of us give Iraq the benefit of the doubt?” Powell said.