Biological Warfare (BW) Association of Abu Ghurayb "Infant
Formula" Plant.
Filename:0901pgv.91
[ (b)(2) ] 22 MAR 91 1615
SENT BY: [ (b)(6) ]
POSITION PAPER
Subject: Biological Warfare (BW) Association of Abu Ghurayb
"Infant Formula" Plant.
1. Purpose: To provide the DIA position on the function of
the Abu Ghurayb "Infant Formula" Plant.
2. Discussion:
a. The Abu Ghurayb "Infant Formula" Plant has been
carried by DIA as a suspect BW facility since April 1988 at which
time fifteen other facilities were identified as possibly
associated with the Iraqi offensive BW effort as well. As more
information became available over the years, this list was reduced
to four confirmed BW facilities (Salman Pak, Taji, Latifiyah, the
"Clostridium Vaccine Plant at Abu Ghurayb) and the suspect BW
production facility at Abu Ghurayb (the "Infant Formula" Plant).
b. The plant was considered a suspect BW
production plant due to: (i) the reported presence of high
security, (ii) equipment suitable for BW agent production and
processing, (iii) the fact that the plant reportedly never
had been used to produce infant formula, and (iv) camouflaging of
the plant.
Security: The tight security (i.e. fence, four
guard towers, and controlled access) [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ]
was inconsistent with a commercial venture such as an infant
formula plant. The security measures were later corroborated when
the plant was finally located [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ].
A [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] at the confirmed BW production
facilities at Taji and the other plant at Abu Ghurayb.
Equipment: [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] the plant
had the capacity to produce, process, and package BW agents based
upon the presence of laboratories, five 27,000 liter processing
tanks, drying equipment, packaging lines, and cold storage
facilities. These are dual-use equipment items as were those at
the confirmed BW facilities.
Non-use: [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] the plant was
never used to produce infant formula despite the plant reportedly
being a turnkey operation. Despite its non-use, the plant was
reportedly maintained in perfect operating condition by teams of
foreign nationals under strict security control.
[ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ]
Camouflage: Finally, in December 1990, when war
looked imminent, the Iraqis began to camouflage the plant. [
(b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ]
c. The overall assessment is that this plant was
correctly identified as a suspect BW production facility with a
back-up function. To this end, the Iraqis took good care of the
plant, but never used it to produce infant formula or, for that
matter, Bin agents. The clumsy attempt to place formula around a
non-functional plant to stage a media event backfired,
[ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ]
[ (b)(6) ]
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