File: 951016_60058_91s.txt
Page: 91s
Total Pages: 1
Possible Proposal to Use Chemical Weapons Filename:60058.91s [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] Subject: Possible Proposal to Use Chemical Weapons In early March 1991, it was believed that a large government force would be needed to eliminate the insurgents in An Najaf. Previous attempts to remove the rebels, including artillery attacks, had had only short-term effects with the insurgents regaining control as soon as government forces left the area. The employment of aircraft armed with missiles, as well as the use of unspecified "liquids" (possibly chemical weapons), was proposed as part of an attack scenario, and the city was to be surrounded to prevent escape. Under this scenario, the military would later be able to move easily throughout the city and prevent a recurrence of unrest. There is no evidence that this proposal, especially as regards the use of "liquids," was ever specifically approved. Rather, the commander of government forces in An Najaf was authorized to take whatever action was necessary until the situation there was resolved. This authorization fell short of actually permitting the use of possible chemical munitions. Likewise, although several references were made to the use in An Najaf of "special munitions," a term previously used to designate chemical munitions, no evidence was available to indicate that such weapons were actually used. [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ]| First Page | Prev Page | Next Page | Back to Text |