Pentagon: White Phosphorus is "Chemical Weapon"

Wednesday, 23 November 2005, 10:35 am
Article: Scoop Link

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Pentagon Calls White Phosphorus "Chemical Weapon"

See full report here…
Possible Use of Phosphorous Chemical

An American Department of Defense document, declassified in 1995, refers to white phosphorus a chemical weapon.

Washington has maintained that the use of white phosphorus weapons in the battle of Fallujah was not illegal, as it is not a chemical weapon.

Recently-discovered evidence of its use as an incendiary in Fallujah has cause the State Department to retract its assertion that phosphorus was only used for illumination and smoke and not used offensively.

The report relates to possible use of phosphorus weapons by Saddam Hussein against Kurdish areas in 1991, following the coalition victory in Gulf War I.

It includes the following statement:

"DURING THE BRUTAL CRACKDOWN THAT FOLLOWED THE KURDISH UPRISING, IRAQI FORCES LOYAL TO PRESIDENT SADDAM ((HUSSEIN)) MAY HAVE POSSIBLY USED WHITE PHOSPHOROUS (WP) CHEMICAL WEAPONS AGAINST KURDISH REBELS AND THE POPULACE IN ERBIL ... AND DOHUK ... PROVINCES, IRAQ. THE WP CHEMICAL WAS DELIVERED BY ARTILLERY ROUNDS AND HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS (NO FURTHER INFORMATION AT THIS TIME)."

The documents were declassified as part of a programme to assist investigation of health problems among Gulf War veterans.

See full report here…
Possible Use of Phosphorous Chemical

ALSO:
No Right Turn: White Phosphorus is a chemical weapon

ENDS

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