Iran Main Victim of Chemical Weapons
February 3, 1999 - 0:0
TEHRAN The history of using chemical weapons in wars goes back to World War I, when the poisonous chlorine gas was used for the first time in order to achieve military objectives. During the four years of the First World War some countries such as Germany, Britain, and France used 120,000 tons of chemical materials among them chlorine, mustard, phosphorus, and other chemical materials.
As a result, more than 1.3 million people were either poisoned or killed. Thus, in world war II, Germany did not use chemical weapons because of three important reasons: the memories of World War I, the measures taken by the international community and controlling armaments. 120 countries signed a treaty on June 17, 1925 in Geneva, agreeing not to use chemical and biological weapons.
During the coming years, this agreement was broken by some countries in different wars. It seems that chemical materials have not been enough to kill the humans because microscopic organisms such as viruses, fungi, bacteria, and parasites were also used for military purposes in the form of biological weapons. They are even more dangerous than chemical weapons. During the Iraqi imposed war against Iran, by using chemical and biological weapons, Iraq violated all the internationally accepted agreements.
Iraq, in 1983, by using materials such as mustard gas and nerve gas against the Iranian forces, caused them to suffer several physical and mental disorders not only during the war period but also during the following years. This act of the Iraqi government was condemned by the United Nations and many scientists and doctors in countries where Iran's war disabled veterans were being treated.
Iraq launched chemical warfare during many operations. On Mars 16, 1988, the greatest human massacre in the history after Hiroshima nuclear attack was caused by Saddam Hussein. Hence he was called the second Hitler by some of the news agencies. Iraq's chemical warfare left about 30,000 to 40,000 martyred or disabled in Iran and even in Iraq. The effects of chemical materials are still bothering the Iranian war disabled veterans.
The most harmful chemical substances which Iraq used in eight years of war against Iran were: 1. Nitrogen gas, the use of which was even confirmed by the British doctors. 2. A kind of gas called Louisite, which was used in World War I. It has a repulsive smell and contains Arsenic. This gas has an immediate effect on the skin.
3. Mustard gas, which causes a kind of poisoning with some large and painful blisters. The inhalation of the gas causes some internal bleeding. The mustard gas has a dangerous effect on the eyes, and it can cause temporary blindness. It also obstructs the respiratory path. During the recent years, Iran has taken the following measures for its war disabled veterans who fell victim to chemical weapons.
1. Establishing rehabilitation centers in many cities. 2. Building residential units. 3. Buying necessary medical equipment for the hospitals. 4. Training Iranian doctors with the help of English and German specialists. Iraq's weapons including chemical and biological ones had been provided by the Western countries, especially Germany and the U.S. The combinations and varieties of the chemical weapons indicate that Western countries intended to test these weapons.
However, when the Persian Gulf War started after Iraq occupied Kuwait, all those Western countries joined forces to destroy the Iraqi chemical and biological weapons.
As a result, more than 1.3 million people were either poisoned or killed. Thus, in world war II, Germany did not use chemical weapons because of three important reasons: the memories of World War I, the measures taken by the international community and controlling armaments. 120 countries signed a treaty on June 17, 1925 in Geneva, agreeing not to use chemical and biological weapons.
During the coming years, this agreement was broken by some countries in different wars. It seems that chemical materials have not been enough to kill the humans because microscopic organisms such as viruses, fungi, bacteria, and parasites were also used for military purposes in the form of biological weapons. They are even more dangerous than chemical weapons. During the Iraqi imposed war against Iran, by using chemical and biological weapons, Iraq violated all the internationally accepted agreements.
Iraq, in 1983, by using materials such as mustard gas and nerve gas against the Iranian forces, caused them to suffer several physical and mental disorders not only during the war period but also during the following years. This act of the Iraqi government was condemned by the United Nations and many scientists and doctors in countries where Iran's war disabled veterans were being treated.
Iraq launched chemical warfare during many operations. On Mars 16, 1988, the greatest human massacre in the history after Hiroshima nuclear attack was caused by Saddam Hussein. Hence he was called the second Hitler by some of the news agencies. Iraq's chemical warfare left about 30,000 to 40,000 martyred or disabled in Iran and even in Iraq. The effects of chemical materials are still bothering the Iranian war disabled veterans.
The most harmful chemical substances which Iraq used in eight years of war against Iran were: 1. Nitrogen gas, the use of which was even confirmed by the British doctors. 2. A kind of gas called Louisite, which was used in World War I. It has a repulsive smell and contains Arsenic. This gas has an immediate effect on the skin.
3. Mustard gas, which causes a kind of poisoning with some large and painful blisters. The inhalation of the gas causes some internal bleeding. The mustard gas has a dangerous effect on the eyes, and it can cause temporary blindness. It also obstructs the respiratory path. During the recent years, Iran has taken the following measures for its war disabled veterans who fell victim to chemical weapons.
1. Establishing rehabilitation centers in many cities. 2. Building residential units. 3. Buying necessary medical equipment for the hospitals. 4. Training Iranian doctors with the help of English and German specialists. Iraq's weapons including chemical and biological ones had been provided by the Western countries, especially Germany and the U.S. The combinations and varieties of the chemical weapons indicate that Western countries intended to test these weapons.
However, when the Persian Gulf War started after Iraq occupied Kuwait, all those Western countries joined forces to destroy the Iraqi chemical and biological weapons.