http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/021114/2002111406.html
Washington's worries over Iraq's demands for Atropine
Iraq-USA, Politics, 11/14/2002
The US has expressed concern over the information rumored by the mass media on Iraq's request of more than one million of doses of Atropine -- which is used for immunization against Khardal gas (chemical) from a Turkish company.
In a press statement a high ranking official at the US Department of State said that Washington is concerned over this Iraqi demand which includes 1.25 million dose which was handed over for the UN.
The source added that Washington discussed this issue with Ankara, adding that similar demands for the same material might be handed over to other countries which he did not identify.
For his part, the spokesman for the US Department of State, Richard Boucher, said that Iraq's demand for amounts of Atropine that exceed ordinary humanitarian needs is a source of concern because this might indicate preparations for using chemical weapons and the desire of Iraq to ensure protection for its forces from using these weapons.
On Tuesday, the US secretary of state Colin Powell said replying to a question in this regard in conclusion of a meeting he had held with the UN secretary general Kofi Annan that Atropine is a dual military and civilian use material, but its basic use is an for immunization against poisonous gases.
On Tuesday the New York Times daily quoted high ranking officials in the Bush administration saying that Iraq has asked, through a Turkish company to get large amounts of Atropine material which is an immunization for Khardal gas and that the US is pressuring the said company in order not to implement the contract.
Hmmm
"Iraq's demand for amounts of Atropine that exceed ordinary humanitarian needs is a source of concern because this might indicate preparations for using chemical weapons and the desire of Iraq to ensure protection for its forces from using these weapons. "
Interesting. Thanks for posting it.
Atropine is the antidote for nerve gas agents such as Sarin, Tabun, or Vx.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1716099/posts?page=10#8
Thought this would interest you (from previous posts)
Busy night... Also check out post #8.
NOVEMBER 27, 2002 - MARCH 7, 2003 : (UNMOVIC INSPECTORS ARRIVE IN IRAQ, UNMOVIC BEGINS DESTRUCTION OF 50 LITERS OF MUSTARD GAS IRAQ ADMITTED IT HAD) Since the arrival of the first inspectors in Iraq on 27 November 2002, UNMOVIC has conducted more than 550 inspections covering approximately 350 sites, 44 of which were new. All inspections were performed without notice and, in virtually all cases, access was provided promptly. In no case have the inspectors seen convincing evidence that the Iraqi side knew in advance of their impending arrival. The UNMOVIC has identified and started the destruction of approximately 50 litres of mustard declared by Iraq.- according to the UN, "Statements to the UN Security Council by two Inspectors and Members of the SC, 7 Mar 2003 ," UN Press Release SC/7682, 07/03/2003, http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/859554/posts