Questions about possible exposure of US troops to BW agents as a
result of coalition bombing of Iraqi BW facilities or deliberate
use of BW by Iraqi troops:
Filename:002pgv.00p
Subject: Questions about possible exposure of US troops to BW
agents as a result of coalition bombing of Iraqi BW facilities or
deliberate use of BW by Iraqi troops:
Based on the intelligence available to us, DIA BW
analysts assess that Iraq had developed. Bacillus anthracis (the
causative agent of anthrax), botulinum toxin, and Clostridium
perfringens
as biological warfare (BW) agents prior to the Gulf War. We
believe these agents were weaponized and available for use. The
symptoms being reported by victims of Gulf War Syndrome are not
consistent with those expected after exposure to any known BW
agent and specifically not consistent with those expected alter
exposure to agents developed by Iraq.
All known intelligence reports of BW agents use, sick or
dead animals, and threatened BW use were investigated. In no cases
was exposure to or use of BW agents confirmed.
Although DIA believed that Iraq had biological weapons and
analysts were concerned about potential use, these analysts also
assess, based on available intelligence, that no BW agents were
used and no exposure to BW agents occurred as a result of
coalition bombing of Iraqi BW facilities..
(U) If allied bombing of suspect Iraqi BW facilities had
resulted in clouds of BW agent sufficient to cause illness in
troops as far away as Saudi Arabia, human and animal illness and
death would have been observed in Iraqi cities and the vast areas
between the bombed facilities and the location of allied troops.
No such illness or death was observed. Furthermore, if clouds of
BW
agent had been released by allied bombing, meteorological
conditions (wind direction, speed, etc) do not support allegations
that such clouds would reach coalition troops in Saudi Arabia.
(U) One report alleged the occurrence of illness in Baghdad
as a result of allied bombing. (Reported by journalists in
Egypt). Despite attempts to recontact the journalist and requests
to
report any such illnesses in Baghdad, no further reporting of
illness was received. Defectors (including physicians) interviewed
could not confirm reports of illness caused by BW agents.
(U) There was at least one case of dead animals in the
desert which caused concern about possible BW agent exposure.
Medical people were sent to investigate and samples of dead
aniinals were taken and returned to the United States Army
Institute for Infectious Diseases at Fort Detrick for analysis.
None of these samples indicated the presence of BW agents. Saudi
Veterinarians asked about the large number of animals in the
desert stated that this was a common occurrence in that area of
the world. When sick or weak animals are found, they are isolated
from the herds and taken to the desert where their throats are
cut.
No other allied intelligence services believed that BW was used
during the Gulf War. Furthermore, they do not believe any
exposure to BW agents occurred--either from deliberate use or
exposure to clouds released alter coalition bombing.
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