US Plans for Use of Gas in Iraq

The Sunshine Project, news release, 7 February 2003

(Austin and Hamburg, 7 February 2003)—Top US military planners are preparing for the US to use incapacitating biochemical weapons in an invasion of Iraq. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Gen. Richard Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, revealed the plans in February 5th testimony before the US House Armed Services Committee. This is the first official US acknowledgement that it may use (bio)chemical weapons in its crusade to rid other countries of such weapons. The Sunshine Project and other nonprofits have warned since late 2001 that the War on Terrorism may result in the United States using prohibited biological and chemical armaments, thereby violating the same treaties it purports to defend. The US announcement creates grave concerns for the future of arms control agreements, particularly the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Rumsfeld stated that plans are being made for multiple applications, including use of gas or aerosols on unarmed Iraqi civilians, in caves, and on prisoners. Rumsfeld reiterated the confusing, typical US official language about so-called non-lethal biochemical weapons. Rumsfeld described applications of a riot agent that clearly imply the complete incapacitation of victims, combatant and non-combatant, in armed conflict - a definition and usages that are at odds with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Rumsfeld acknowledged US ratification of the CWC but expressed regret about its restrictions, stating that the US has tangled ourselves up so badly on policy for use of incapacitating biochemical weapons. Rumsfeld indicated that—in his opinion—if President Bush signs a waiver of long-standing restrictions on US use of incapacitating chemicals, that the US will be able to legally field them in Iraq and elsewhere.

TESTIMONY AUDIO

Choose format:

http://www.sunshine-project.org/publications/gasiraq.mp3mp3
http://www.sunshine-project.org/publications/gasiraq.aiffaiff (6 min. 41 sec.)

The speakers:

The first speaker, who poses the question, is Rep. Meehan of Massachusetts. Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld replies (including a follow-up question from Meehan), followed by remarks from Gen. Richard Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

A Realvideo recording of the entire hearing (3 1/3 hours) is available from CSPAN. The audio extract reproduced above begins at approximately 1 hour, 31 minutes. This requires a Real video player. rtsp://12.170.145.134:554/jdrive/e020503_rumsfeld.rmClick here to view the Realvideo.

The focal points for US development of these weapons are the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate in Quantico, Virginia, and the US Army Soldier Biological Chemical Command, located at Edgewood/Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Following their capture in Afghanistan and elsewhere, the US has used incapacitating chemicals on suspected terrorist detainees. In October 2002, Russian Special Forces used a so-called non-lethal incapacitating biochemical weapon when storming the Palace of Culture Theater in Moscow. It resulted in the deaths of over 100 hostages and was used to facilitate the extrajudicial execution of as many as 50 Chechen separatists. Before the War on Terrorism began, British officials stated that they would not cooperate with the US military in missions where US troops used incapacitating chemicals.