Gas evidence ‘overwhelming’

Press, 7 March 1984, Page 6

Gas evidence ‘overwhelming’

NZPA-Reuter New York Iran will again seek a United Nations inquiry into the alleged use of chemical weapons by Iraq that it says has “martyred” 400 Iranians in the Gulf war.

Dr Said Rajaie-Khoras-sani, Iran’s representative to the United Nations, told a news conference: “I think the evidence is overwhelming. The news media, even the State Department and the Pentagon, are confirming the fact that (Iraqi) President Saddam Hussein has resorted to chemical weapons.” The American State Department said earlier that the available evidence had indicated that Iraq had used chemical weapons and that it strongly condemned Bagdad’s action. In Austria and Sweden doctors are treating Iranian soldiers for suspected chemical poisoning. Iraq has denied using

such weapons. Dr Rajaie-Khorassani said that it was regrettable that the “international authorities are just observing the scene and not taking any action,” even though a General Assembly resolution in 1982 had empowered the United Nations Secre-tary-General to investigate as soon as any party informed him of the use of such weapons. He said that he had asked repeatedly for an inquiry and would pursue the matter at a meeting with the Secretary-General, Mr Jav- * ier Perez de Cuellar, in the next day or so. Dr Rajaie-Khorassani said that some 400 Iranians had been “martyred” by chemical weapons. He did not know what kinds of chemicals were being used or where they were made, but, “we have some evidence that some of the West

European countries were probably involved.” He repeated previous warnings that if his country’s oil installations in the Gulf were destroyed and its oil exports halted, “that would be the end of security for anyone who wants to export oil from the Persian Gulf, and we will close it.” Referring to what he called United States intimidation, he said that the Iraqi leader had made a gross mistake in attacking Iran. “We sincerely hope that this mistake will not be repeated by others,” he said. The United States has pledged to take whatever action might be needed to keep the Gulf open and has about 30 warships in the area.

American Intelligence has confirmed that Iran has massed up to 500,000 troops for a big new offensive against Iraq which could

settle the Gulf war. Defence officials said that the offensive, spearheaded by Regular troops and supported by thousands of young Revolutionary Guards, might start in the next few days. They said that Iraqi defenders were heavily dug in along a line of trenches and bunkers protected by minefields, artillery, tanks, and attack aircraft.

The expected Iranian offensive was likely to decide whether the war continued and, “who, if anyone, comes out the winner.”

They said that it was possible, but not certain, that Iran would seek a negotiated end to the war if its offensive failed.

If Iran’s drive succeeded, they said that Iraq might make good its threats to attack Iranian oil installations including the key port of Kharg Island. _