US says White Phosphorus a chemical weapon when Saddam used it
The Independent today reports that US intelligence classified white phosphorus as ‘chemical weapon’ [If this link is unavailable, look here.]. This had earlier been reported on the web by Think Progress: Classified Pentagon Document Described White Phosphorus As ‘Chemical Weapon’. While the earlier designation may have been technically incorrect, as at least some experts maintain, this finding makes clear that White Phosphorous was viewed as an horrific weapon, one who’s use was to be condemned. Where’s the outrage in the US?
When the New York Times deigned to report on the controversy [Defense of Phosphorus Use Turns Into Damage Control], the article was focused on the public relations disaster the US created for itself by first denying that White Phosphorous had been used as weapon, only to be forced to admit that it had been. The rest of the American press has largely ignored this latest example of horrific behavior by US troops. Nowhere do they point out that the US has now been caught doing virtually every heinous act Saddam was accused of: torture, rape, and using “chemical weapons” against the Iraqi people. I guess it’s ok because the Iraqis are not “our own” people?
Add comment November 22nd, 2005