SENATOR SHELBY'S CONCLUSIONS ON THE PERSIAN GULF SYNDROME (Senate - March 17, 1994)
[Page: S3106]
On January 13, we traveled to Rabat. In preparation for our meetings with Moroccan government officials, the U.S. Embassy conducted a country team briefing and informed us that during the Persian Gulf War, Morocco and Saudi Arabia had a bilateral agreement which placed Moroccan military personnel under the authority of the Saudi military. Morocco sent a motorized infantry unit from the Western Sahara to the vicinity a petrochemical facility north of Jubail about 50 kilometers from the Kuwait border.
In Rabat, we met with Colonel Major Mohammed Beuboumaudi, Inspector, Military Health Services. He indicated that no Moroccan military personnel saw any chemical weapons or equipment. He mentioned that, on one occasion, his troops went to check the location in which an artillery shell exploded for chemical agent. There were no indications of any chemical agents present.
The Moroccan troops did not experience any illnesses symptomatic of exposure to chemical agents. Additionally, he pointed out that Moroccan troops were acclimated to service in the desert. The inference here being the possible psychological or environmental origin of the Persian Gulf Syndrome.
In response to questions regarding the presence of chemical agents or weapons in the theater of operations and knowledge as to whether coalition allies possessed chemical weapons or agents, Col. Maj. Beudoumaudi provided negative responses. He indicated that he was not aware of Moroccan troops participating in chemical defense training with stimulants during the Persian Gulf War.
Finally, we met with the deputy minister of foreign affairs who reiterated the comments made by Col. Maj. Beudoumaudi regarding the Morocco military personnel's not being aware of the presence of chemical weapons and/or agents in the theater of operations and not having any knowledge of other coalition allies in possession of chemical weapons and/or agents in the theater of operation.
Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Reid). The clerk will call the roll.
The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection it is so ordered.
The Senator from Kansas is recognized.
Mrs. KASSEBAUM. I thank the Chair.
(The remarks of Mrs. Kassebaum and Mr. Kerrey pertaining to the introduction of S. 1943 are located in today's Record under `Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.')
Mr. KERREY. Mr. President, I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Dorgan). The Senator from Nebraska yields the floor.
Who seeks recognition?
The Chair recognizes the Senator from Wisconsin, Mr. Kohl.
Mr. KOHL. I thank the Chair.
(The remarks of Mr. Kohl pertaining to the introduction of S. 1944 and S. 1947 are located in today's Record under `Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.')
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who seeks recognition?
Mr. EXON addressed the Chair.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nebraska is recognized.
Mr. EXON. I thank the Chair.
(The remarks of Mr. Exon pertaining to the introduction of S. 1942 and S.J. Res. 173 are located in today's Record under `Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.')
Mr. EXON. Mr. President, I suggest absence of a quorum.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I may speak for 5 minutes as if in morning business.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.