Chemical Found in Iran-Iraq War Shells (distraction update)

[Danieljay]

If this turns out to be mustard gas do you really think Bush could tout this as justifying an invasion? Did you get a look at those things? The US has stockpiles of old degrading weapons all over the place. On a positive note.. notice the "Iran/Iraq" label.

2 hours, 56 minutes ago

By ROBERT H. REID, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Danish and Icelandic troops have uncovered a cache of 36 shells buried in the Iraqi desert, and preliminary tests showed they contained a liquid blister agent, the Danish military said.

The 120mm mortar shells are thought to be left over from the eight-year war between Iraq (news - web sites) and neighboring Iran, which ended in 1988, U.S. Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt said Saturday.

snip

The shells were wrapped in plastic but had been damaged, and they appeared to have been buried for at least 10 years, the statement said.


It said British experts did a preliminary test and said the shells contained "blister gas," but did not elaborate.


snip

The Danish military emphasized that the tests were not definitive. In the weeks after the Iraq war, the U.S.-led coalition found several caches that tested positive for mustard gas but later turned out to contain missile fuel or other chemicals.