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Possible chemical weapons stash uncovered
By Suzanna Klaucke
Staff Writer
FILE PHOTO
A suspected Iraqi training center for nuclear, chemical and biological warfare.
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On April 7, Army V Corps Headquarters reported that U.S. soldiers were searching a military training camp in Karbala, Iraq. The camp is empty, but on Sunday, drums were found which possibly contain chemicals that could be used for warfare. A first set of tests done suggests that these chemicals may be deadly nerve agents and mustard gas.
A few tests have been completed by U.S. military efforts. Officials say, however, that industrial chemicals can often cause false alarms. Quick testing and analysis of nerve agents can often be mistaken for insecticides. More refined testing is needed, especially since the testing equipment that the military uses is not the best quality due to its portability. The military has informed the Department of Defense and is making sure to take all necessary precautions.
According to The New York Times, top chemical warfare officer in the Army’s V Corps Col. Tim Madere said, “We’re treating it as real, we’re reporting it as real . . .”
The U.S. Department of Defense wants to take precautions and is sending out a team from the 75th Exploitation Task Force, which specializes in searching for chemical and biological weapons.
Samples will be taken and then sent back to laboratories in the United States and Britain. The military will not make any charges at present until they have factual data. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said, “We have to recognize that almost all first reports that we get turn out to be wrong . . . There tend to be changes in them. And as a result, we have to take our time and look at it.”
On Sunday, the 101st Airborne Division soldiers were carrying out a search on the north side of the town of Hindiya, which is east of Karbala. The soldiers had a captured map which contained points showing potential Iraqi weapon caches. During their search, they came upon an empty training camp believed to have been used for recruits desiring to be trained for the Iraqi forces. On walls within the camp, there were numerous writings and slogans, saying things such as “Palestine for Palestinians.” The soldiers found a large amount of chemical protective gear, seemingly abandoned. In their search through the camp, they also came across canisters which they thought could possibly contain chemicals. Though sources are unclear on what the exact events were, some of the soldiers in the unit apparently became sick and all the soldiers quickly equipped themselves with their chemical protection gear. The chemical was later identified that night as being CN, a riot control gas that causes vomiting and blisters.
A chemical team continued the investigation at the sight and eventually identified more chemicals, including sarin and tabun, which are nerve agents. A 55-gallon canister also tested positive for mustard gas. Testing will continue at a laboratory set in Iraq and also by laboratories in the United States. The chemicals were in canisters, however, and not in the forms of warheads or artillery shells. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley said, “These certainly were not weaponized.”
Because one of the United States’ greatest reasons for going to war with Iraq was the belief that Iraq had chemical and biological weapons in its possession, U.S. forces have been searching for these weapons as they have made their trek across Iraq.
So far, contrary to suspicion, no chemical or biological weapons, ready for use, have been found. The search continues, but at this point, there are no accusations that are irrefutable.
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