File: 950925_0503br_90.txt
Page: 90
Total Pages: 1
Iraqi Biological Warfare (BW) Capabilities Filename:0503br.90 [ (b)(2) ] [ (b)(6) ] From: VP Task Force To: ITF Subj: Iraqi Biological Warfare (BW) Capabilities Ref: (a) [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] (b) [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] 1. PURPOSE: To provide Admiral McConnell with DIA's assessment of the information [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] 2. MAJOR POINTS OF INTEREST: a. [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] b. Iraq does possess the BW agent anthrax but there is no evidence that they have developed or weaponized pneumonic plague. The Iraqis do have the technical capability to produce and weaponize the bacterium (Yersinia pestis) which causes plague. They also have the ability to produce antibiotic resistant strains of the organism. The plague bacillus is easy to grow but difficult to maintain. It is particularly sensitive to drying and, therefore, most likely would have to be prepared in liquid suspension and then kept frozen in bulk containers for filling into munitions immediately prior to use. This is possible but cumbersome. It is unlikely that filled aerial bombs would be stored with frozen agent. Bulk stored bacterial suspensions would more suitably be disseminated by spray devices or aerosol generators. c. We have no evidence to suggest that Iraq has developed a BW detection device which monitors protein levels or any other bacterial component or product. The Iraqis have the technical capability to detect protein, such as botulinum toxin, or protein components of microbial cells, such as bacteria and viruses by methods commonly used throughout the world in research and clinical laboratories. Detection of protein would not likely be possible in real time and on a continual basis by a field detection device connected to an alarm system. Air samples would probably be collected by sampling devices at various sites and transported to a field laboratory for analysis. Under the best of conditions, this process would require several hours. It should be noted that no country in the world has field equipment for detecting BW agents. d. The pneumonic form of the plague is indeed the "aerosolized" form of the organism, is highly infectious, and could cause large numbers of casualties. e. Antibiotics are the only treatment for plague as well as anthrax, however they must be administered early after exposure to be effective. Inoculation is also possible for anthrax, plague, and botulinum toxin - another BW agent we assess Iraq to have. However, any inoculation for a given disease can be overcome by exposure to very large quantities of infecting agent. It is undetermined how much agent would be required to overcome an inoculated person. f. In general, BW agents require special storage and handling procedures, but each agent has its own unique requirements such as those discussed in paragraph 2b. Normally, refrigeration is required for all BW agents. 3. VP task force POC is [ (b)(6) ][ (b)(2) ]
| First Page | Prev Page | Next Page | Back to Text |