Khidhir Hamza

Dr. Khidhir Hamza "received a Masters degree from the Massachusetts Institue of Technology (MIT) and a Ph.D. from Florida State University (FSU) in Nuclear Physics. After teaching for three years in the United States, Dr. Hamza returned to Iraq in 1970 to work in the Atomic Energy Commission later chaired by Saddam Hussein. In 1987 he became Director of the Nuclear weapons program and worked with Saddam's son-in-law, Hussein Kamel.

"He worked at several jobs in the Atomic Energy Commission, including Head of the Nuclear Fuel Division and the Theoretical Division that helped to design Iraq's uranium enrichment program.

"His book, Saddam's Bombmaker (Scribner, November 2000), coauthored with Jeff Stein, is an account of his career in Iraq and his defection in 1995. In it, Dr. Hamza tells of his experience in the Iraqi Military Industry, the Nuclear Weapons Program, and Saddam's inner circle. He also describes how Iraq was engaged in other weapons of mass destruction programs including biological and chemical weapons.

"Since 1998 Dr. Hamza has given many interviews, including the NY Times, The Washington Post, 60 Minutes II, Frontline and others. He has also written for the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Arms Control Today, and the last issue of Blueprint Magazine. Recent OpEds include LA Times (12-9-01) and the Wall Street Journal (12-10-01).

"He is currently President of the Council on Middle Eastern Affairs based in New York." -