Iraq denied a leading US defense official's charge...

Iraq denied a leading US defense official's charge that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein ordered the execution of any scientists seen cooperating with UN arms inspectors. "Pretending the Iraqi government tortures its scientists, threatens them and slaughters them as well as their families, is completely false," General Hossam Mohamed Amin, Iraq's liaison with UN arms inspectors, told state television. Amin was responding to comments made by US Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz in a speech to the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations on January 23. "Today, we know from multiple sources that Saddam has ordered that any scientist who cooperates during interviews will be killed, as well as their families," Wolfowitiz said in a speech to the council.