Germany sold Syria chemicals with military potential: government

[ProSense]

Germany sold Syria chemicals with military potential: government

(Reuters) - Germany exported 111 tonnes of chemicals to Syria between 2002 and 2006 that could be used in the production of sarin gas, according to a government document published on Wednesday.

But the government rejected a suggestion from an opposition lawmaker that Germany might thereby have inadvertently contributed to the August 21 sarin attack in Syria, which the West blames on President Bashar al-Assad.

The chemicals - sodium fluoride, hydrofluoric acid and ammonium hydrogen fluoride - are classified as "dual use" under European Union law, meaning they can be used for either civil or military purposes. They require special export permits.

In a written response to a parliamentary question from Germany's Left Party, the economy ministry said the chemicals sold between 2002 and 2003, in 2005 and 2006 had a total value of 174,000 euros ($232,300) and were sold for civilian use.

- more -

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/18/us-syria-crisis-germany-sarin-idUSBRE98H0QB20130918

[Mika]

1. Article names no corporations. The German gov't doesn't manufacture chemicals.

The gov't gives licenses. No names.
Hmmmm. I wonder which corporations made and sold these.