IRAQ-THE CHEMICAL POWER IN THE MIDDLE EAST


Filename:0148pgv.90d
                IRAQ-THE CHEMICAL POWER IN THE MIDDLE EAST
                         KEY JUDGMENTS 17 AUGUST 90


Iraq has developed and used some of the most sophisticated
chemical ordnance of any country.  Iraq has accelerated its
efforts to  produce chemical agents and key precursor chemicals
since the end of the war with Iran.

At least two biological warfare agents, anthrax & botulinum toxin
are available.

Iraq has developed  one  of the Third World's most sophisticated
chemical (CW) programs.  Spurred by  their  success  with  
chemicals  in the terminal offensives of the war with Iran, Iraq  
has continued to move toward total self-sufficiency for chemical 
precursor production, and could- become an exporter of chemicals 
to other proliferating countries faced with embargoes.  Iraq has 
learned from its past errors in using chemicals to become the 
country with the battlefield experience in using CW.  The only 
country ever to have used nerve agent weapons in war, Iraq has 
made nerve agents tabun (GA), sarin (GB), and GF, as well as 
liquid & dusty mustard.  Iraq has a range of artillery ammunition, 
aerial bombs and air-to-surface rockets.  A limited number of 
chemical missile warheads are believed available. 

Iraq is continuing to  develop its extensive CW capability.  New 
agents and weapons systems for CW use are being investigated.  For 
example,  when Iraq was unable  to get the key precursor for the 
nerve agent soman, a capability to make the analogous chemical GF 
was  developed.   GF is  slightly less desirable because of  its 
lower  lethality, but  is made  from chemicals that are easy to
obtain, and has about the same persistency as soman.

Iraq is expanding its  chemical production  capabilities  to allow
production  of  all  precursor  chemicals  required for nerve and 
blister agent production without relying on foreign suppliers.  
Local supplies of phosphates, chlorine and  other chemicals  will 
allow Iraq to use its own natural recources  to make chemical 
agents.  Developing an indigenous capability to  make chemical
agent  could  also  lead  to  Iraq's export of chemicals to other 
proliferating countries subject to trade restrictions.

The largest chemical agent production complex on earth is located 
at Samarra,  near  Baghdad.    Separate  lines  for production of 
the nerve agents tabun, sarin, and GF and blister agent mustard, 
as well  as riot  control agent production  capabilities,  give  
Iraq  the  greatest CW capacity in the region.  Monthly production 
capacities have been estimated at 150 tons for mustard, 5 to
10 tons  of tabun and 20 tons of sarin.  Production capacity for 
nerve agent GF is unknown but may be similar to sarin.



Iraq has developed at least two unique types  of chemical weapons.
Multiple rocket launcher (MRL)  ammunition has  been modified  to 
accept up to three plastic containers in each warhead filled with 
chemical agent.  The Iraqi munition has as much as 10-12 kilograms 
of agent in each warhead, while Soviet MRL ammunition has only 
about 3 kilograms.  Helicopter rockets with chemical warheads have 
also been developed by Iraq.

Iraq has established a biological warfare (BW) program which is 
supported at the the highest level of the Iraqi government.  The 
current Iraqi capability consists of at least anthrax and 
botulinum toxin.

Iraqi possess that technical capability to support a BW program.  
The Salman Pak complex is a leading BW research and development 
and probably production facility.
[   (b)(2)   ]