WMD

Opinions about the presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq vary greatly. A growing number of people entertain the notion that there were, in fact, none.

May I offer two personal war experiences that prove that the cleverness to hide usually outfoxes the ability to find.

During the 1940-44 occupation of Belgium, my dad was accused of possessing firearms. 30 German soldiers stormed onto the farm, and searched the buildings and the house. After an agonizing two hours, no firearms were found. If they would have found one or both of his revolvers, Dad would certainly have been arrested and never heard from again. He had known that such calamity could befall him, yet still took the chance to keep the weapons.

On another occasion, five men of our town’s puppet regime, accompanied by a German officer, rushed into the house. They claimed that Dad listened to the British underground radio broadcast of the BBC. He said he did not have a radio. They inspected the house thoroughly, but could not find one.

Always trying to stay in good standing with the hated authorities, Dad asked the officer if by chance he and his group were hungry. “Speck und Eiern?” (bacon and eggs). They looked at each other and quickly concluded that this was a good idea. Mom had already warmed up a huge pan.

They ate like wolves. Who won this little war of nerves? I will never know. My parents could not bring themselves to talk about such things. Endless fears had rendered them speechless on their war experiences. Entrusting your own children with secret, private knowledge after a war could jeopardize your and their survival “the next time.”

Likewise, the people of Iraq know that it is risky to trust others. If I were an Iraqi, I would, like my dad, be reluctant to reveal to anyone where weapons are hidden. It is too dangerous to be known as one who knows.