Chemical weapons in Iran: confirmation by specialists, condemnation by Security Council

UN Chronicle, March, 1984

Mr. Perez de Cuellar, in commenting on the specialists' report, said that in light of the "spirit of humanitarian concern" which had led him to decide on the investigation, he "cannot but deplore than their unanimous conclusions substantiate the allegations that chemical weapons have been used." He reiterated that he "strongly condemns the use of such weapons wherever and whenever this may occur."

The poisonous liquids were contained in aerial bombs which appeared to have been designed so that when exploded, the liquid would disperse over a large area in the form of spray and vapour.

The specialists--from Australia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland--examined a number of persons, most of them Iranian soldiers, whose symptoms indicated exposure to the chemicals. Symptoms included skin lesions and blisters; respiratory, nasal and eye problems; nausea and tremours, blood abnormalities, and other conditions.

They examined several bomb remnants and unexploded bombs that had been recovered. Their liquid contents were sampled and analysed, both in Teheran and in laboratories in Sweden and Switzerland, which verified its toxicity.

In his comments, the Secretary-General said he attached "paramount importance" to strict observance of rules of international conduct to prevent or alleviate human suffering, "whether they relate to the use of specific weapons, the treatment of prisoners of war or any other aspects of military operations".

He also remained "deeply convinced" that those concerns could only be fully satisfied by putting an end to the "tragic conflict that continues to deplete the precious human resources of Iran and Iraq". He was ready to assist in any endeavour that could lead to peace and hoped both Governments would "give such efforts a chance", he said.

He expressed appreciation for the group's work, undertaken "despite constraints in time and resources, and under difficult and hazardous conditions".

Investigation Launched: On 9 March, the Secretary-General decided to dispatch the group to investigate the Iranian allegations. A spokesman for Mr. Perez de Cuellar said the Secretary-General had taken his decision under his own authority, as the Charter gave him the "moral responsibility" to do so.

The Secretary-General stated that press reports indicated that the medical authorities in countries where Iranian nationals were being treated or relevant data was being analysed "had not excluded the possibility that chemical weapons had been used". Also, he referred to a "growing call" by Governments and public and private organizations for "an objective and impartial investigation".

The specialists, acting as indificuals in their personal capacity, are: Gustav Andersson of Sweden, Senior Research Chemist at Sweden's National Defence Research Institute; Dr. Manuel Dominguez of Spain, Professor of Preventive Medicine at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Colonel, Army Medical Corps and specialist in antibacteriological and chemical warfare; Dr. Peter Dunn, Superintending Scientist at Australia's Materials Research Laboratories; and Colonel Ulrich Imobersteg of Switzerland, Chief of chemical weapons defence for the Swiss Army.

Diego Cordovez, Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs coordinated the work and itinerary for the group with Iranian officials. Iqbal Syed Riza, Principal Officer in Mr. Cordovez's office, accompanied the specialists to Iran to help co-ordinate their work and ensure liaison with government authorities.

Itinerary: The group arrived in Teheran on Tuesday, 13 March, where they met with senior government officials before visiting a mortuary to examine a number of bodies.

On 14 March, they visited the war zone, during a trip lasting 23 hours without interruption, surveying the sites, examining aerial bombs and collecting samples, and interviewing patients in a field hospital.

On 15 March, they examined patients in Teheran hospitals and tested samples collected in the war zone. On 16 and 17 March, they examined in Teheran aerial bombs transported from the war zone.

On 18 March, after Iranian authorities alleged that a new chemical attack had taken place, the specialists returned to the war zone, examined patients in the Tafti Stadium Infirmary, received new samples and returned to Terehan for further patient interviews. On 19 March, they left Teheran for Geneva, where they prepared their report.

Report findings: The group stressed that their conclusions had been unanimous. The investigation had included interviews with government officials; visits to the war zone; examination of weapons and collection of samples for analysis; clinical examinations of victims; and mortuary examination of corpses.

The specialists states that members of the "Pasdaran" -- revolutionary Guards -- had reported attacks in which three Iraqi aircraft had dropped about eight bombs in the area of Shatt-e-Ali. Craters about six feet deep and 16 feet wide were examined, as were empty casings of seven bombs. Two partially damaged aerial bombs and an unexploded bomb were examined in a second area near Hoor-Ul-Huwaizeh.