Czech French "Index"

Case Narrative

Czech and French Reports

of Possible Chemical Agent Detections

Case narratives are reports of what we know today about specific events that took place during the Gulf War of 1990 and 1991. This particular case narrative focuses on reports of possible chemical agent detections by Czech and French troops. This is an interim report, not a final report. We hope that you will read this and contact us with any information that would help us better understand the events reported here. Due to difficulty in obtaining evidence from the Czech and French governments, we would especially like to hear from anyone with personal knowledge of these incidents, i.e., people who were present at the time or who processed any of the reports that were generated as a result of these detections. With your help, we will be able to report more accurately on the events surrounding these possible chemical agent detections. Please contact my office to report any new information by calling:

1-800-472-6719

Bernard Rostker
Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses
Department of Defense

1997322-0000066

Last Update: July 29, 1998

Many veterans of the Gulf War have been experiencing a variety of physical symptoms, collectively called Gulf War illnesses. In response to veterans’ concerns, the Department of Defense (DoD) established a task force in June 1995 to investigate all possible causes. On November 12, 1996, responsibility for these investigations was assumed by the Investigation and Analysis Directorate, Office of the Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses, which has continued to investigate reports of chemical agent detections by Czech and French troops.

As part of the effort to inform the public about the progress of this effort, DoD is publishing on the Internet and elsewhere accounts related to possible causes of illnesses among Gulf War veterans, along with whatever documentary evidence or personal testimony was used in compiling the account. The narrative that follows is such an account.

This narrative reflects only the opinion of the US Department of Defense. During a fact-finding trip to Paris and Prague in September 1997, the Special Assistant provided the governments of France and the Czech Republic a copy of this case narrative and requested official comments on the report. We are waiting for comments from the Czech and French governments; when those comments are received, the narrative will be updated.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

METHODOLOGY

SUMMARY

NARRATIVE