WASHINGTON: Secretary of State Colin Powell says US officials have received from foreign sources the evidence that Iraq is trying to procure uranium from Niger to make nuclear weapons. He told Congress that evidence was then passed on to the United Nations. We have received a copy of this secret document which shows a transaction between the Iraqi and Nigerian governments. Some sensitive information has been deleted for security reasons.

ATTENTION - AN URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL!

I am pleased to get across to you for a very urgent and profitable business proposal. I AM ----------------------, I REPRESENT ----------------, SON OF THE LATE GEN. ------------, WHO WAS THE FORMER MILITARY HEAD OF STATE IN NIGER.

Within the Department of Mining & Natural Resources where I work as an Executive Accountant and with the cooperation of four other top officials, we have in our possession uranium which we want to transfer abroad with the assistance and cooperation of a foreign company the said uranium on our behalf or a reliable foreign non-company account to receive such materials. More so, we are handicapped in the circumstances, as the Nigerian Civil Service Code of Conduct does not allow us to operate offshore account hence your importance in the whole transaction.

This amount $26.5m represents the balance of the total contract value executed on behalf of my Department by a foreign contracting firm of Iraq. I have the authority of my partners involved to propose that should you be willing to assist us in the transaction, your share of the sum will be 25% of the $26,.5 million, 70% for us and 5% for taxation and miscellaneous expenses.

The business itself is 100% safe, on your part provided you treat it with utmost secrecy and confidentiality. Your response is only what we are waiting for as we have arranged all necessary things. As soon as this message comes to you kindly get back to me indicating your interest.Then I will furnish you with the whole procedures to ensure that the deal is successfully Concluded.For your assistance we have agreed to give you thirty percent (30%) of the total sum at the end of the transaction. It is risk free and a big fortune for both of us.

PLEASE, THIS TRANSACTION REQUIRES ABSOLUTE CONFIDENTIALITY AND YOU WOULD BE EXPECTED TO TREAT IT AS SUCH UNTIL THE FUNDS ARE MOVED OUT OF THIS COUNTRY. LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU. THANK YOU. TRULY YOURS, -------------- ESQ.