Talking Paper for RADM Fox, DDIN, JS
Filename:010bk.90d
[ (b)(2) ] 24 November 1990
Subject: Talking Paper for RADM Fox, DDIN, JS
1. Purpose: To address Iraq's chemical and biological warfare
(CBW) capability and indicators to use CBW.
2. Talking Points:
a. Chemical Warfare:
Iraq has developed the most complete and sophisticated
chemical warfare program in the Third World. Iraq has made nerve
agents tabun (GA), sarin (GB), GF, and VX, as well as liquid and
dusty mustard.
Iraq is continuing to develop its extensive CW
capability. New agents and weapons systems for CW use are being
investigated.
Iraq is expanding its chemical production capabilities
to allow production of all presursor chemicals required for nerve
and blister agent production without relying on foreign suppliers.
The world's largest chemical agent production complex is
located at samarra, near Baghdad. Monthly production capacities
have been estimated at 150 tons for mustard, 5 to 10 tons for
tabun, and 20 tons for sarin. Production capacity for GF my be
similar to that for sarin.
Chemical warfare agents are stored at eight major
airfields in S-shaped bunkers and at other depots dispersed
throughout Iraq. The total quantity of CW stocks is unknown but
probably contains approximately 1000 tons of mustard and possibly
hundreds of tons of nerve agents. The quantity of VX is judged to
be 10 to 20 tons. It is unlikely that chemical munitions are
located in Kuwait.
Iraq has a range of artillery ammunition 130mm, 152mm
with binary and/or unitary fills, and 155mm their preferred system
for chemical delivery, 122mm multiple rocket launchers with binary
and/or unitary fills and with 2 or 3 canisters or bottles
containing CW agent, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, 250kg and 500kg
bombs, and munitions for 90mm air-to-surface rockets fo ruse by
helicopters. A limited number of chemical missile warheads is
available for SCUDs and for extended range SCUD-type warhead
missiles.
Iraq has prepared its forces for offensive and defensive
chemical warfare operations. It has learned from its past errors
in the Iran Iraq war in using chemicals. It has become the
country with the greatest battlefield experience in using CW and
is the only country to have used nerve agent weapons in war.
Currently, its forces are in an essentially defensive posture.
Iraq has made preparations to launch CW attacks using
fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. Although some activity has
been noted near SCUD launch sites, the locations of CW warheads
for the SCUDs are not known. Most likely targets for therse
warheads include airfield, logisitic bases, and troop
concentrations in the rear.
Iraq is likely to use CW as an integral part of tactical
operations to protect key political, military, or economic
strategic areas. One such area is the Northern portion of the
Kuwait Theater of Operations (KTO). Iraq would be highly likely
to use in any offensive into Saudi Arabia.
Iraq used CW in the Iran-Iraq War to deter or reverse a
decisive and strong ground offensive by the enemy. Iraq would use
CW in a premptive or integral operation. It would certainly use
CW in any defensive situation to prevent its forces from being
defeated or pushed back in Kuwait or Iraq.
b. Biological Warfare
Iraq has established a biological warfare (BW) program
which is supported at the highest level of the iRAQI Government.
The current capability proably consists of at least hundreds of
kilograms of anthrax and tens of kiolograms of botulinum toxin.
More than fifteen Iraqi facilities possess the technical
capability to support a BW program. The Salman Pak complex is the
leading BW research and development facility.
BW has more of a stratefic role than does CW. BW would
most probably be used prior to the initiation of hostilities
against large concentrations of personnel, such as troop areas in
the rear and cities. Both BW and CW can be used in a terrorist
situation. Iraq has indicated that it would use both as terrorist
weapons systems in major cities throughout the world, especially
against countries which oppose its policy regarding Kuwait and
have taken a stand against it or have seized its assets.
Prepared by: [ (b)(6) ]
[ (b)(2) ]
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