Questions about possible exposure of US troops to BW agents as a 
result of coalition bombing of Iraqi BW facilities or deliberate 
use of BW by Iraqi troops:

Filename:002pgv.00p
                                                                
        

Subject: Questions about possible exposure of US troops to BW 
agents as a result of coalition bombing of Iraqi BW facilities or 
deliberate use of BW by Iraqi troops:

         Based on the intelligence available to us, DIA BW 
analysts assess that Iraq had developed.  Bacillus anthracis (the 
causative agent of anthrax), botulinum toxin, and Clostridium 
perfringens
as biological warfare (BW) agents prior to the Gulf War. We 
believe these agents were  weaponized and available for use. The 
symptoms being reported by victims of Gulf War Syndrome are not 
consistent with those expected after exposure to any known BW 
agent and specifically not consistent with those expected alter 
exposure to agents developed by Iraq.

      All known intelligence reports of BW agents use, sick or 
dead animals, and threatened BW use were investigated. In no cases 
was exposure to or use of BW agents confirmed.

      Although DIA believed that Iraq had biological weapons and 
analysts were concerned about potential use, these analysts also 
assess, based on available intelligence, that no BW agents were  
used and no exposure to BW agents occurred as a result of 
coalition bombing of Iraqi BW facilities..

     (U) If allied bombing of suspect Iraqi BW facilities had 
resulted in clouds of BW agent sufficient  to cause illness in 
troops as far away as Saudi Arabia, human and animal illness and 
death would have been observed in Iraqi cities and the vast areas 
between the bombed facilities and the location of allied troops. 
No such illness or death was observed. Furthermore, if clouds of 
BW
agent had been released by allied bombing, meteorological 
conditions (wind direction, speed, etc) do not support allegations 
that such clouds would reach coalition troops in Saudi Arabia.

      (U) One report alleged the occurrence of illness in Baghdad 
as a result of allied bombing.  (Reported by journalists in 
Egypt). Despite attempts to recontact the journalist and requests 
to
report any such illnesses in Baghdad, no further reporting of 
illness was received. Defectors (including physicians) interviewed 
could not confirm reports of illness caused by BW agents.

      (U) There was at least one case of dead animals in the 
desert which caused concern about possible BW agent exposure. 
Medical people were sent to investigate and samples of dead 
aniinals were taken and returned to the United States Army 
Institute for Infectious Diseases at Fort Detrick for analysis. 
None of these samples indicated the presence of BW agents. Saudi
Veterinarians asked about the large number of animals in the 
desert stated that this was a common occurrence in that area of 
the world. When sick or weak animals are found, they are isolated
from the herds and taken to the desert where their throats are 
cut.

   No other allied intelligence services believed that BW was used 
during the Gulf War.  Furthermore, they do not believe any 
exposure to BW agents occurred--either from deliberate use  or 
exposure to clouds released alter coalition bombing.