If there is any actual, clinical evidence that some freaky chemical weapons were used by American troops in Iraq (which I think is about as possible as me becoming the next Pope), then there should be an investigation.
However, the BBC seems to be just spreading a lot of dogsqueeze around:
The BBC’s John Simpson reported on Thursday from Fallujah that, while there had been no authoritative medical investigation, there was growing evidence of an alarming incidence of birth defects.See what my problem is? What is the growing evidence? It is actually not particularly rare for children to be born with a sixth digit on a foot or hand, it's a very minor birth defect which is easily correctable with surgery.
Is it possible that there are alarming numbers of birth defects and deformities and congenital problems because of the obvious, and under-discussed phenomenon in the Arab and Muslims world of consanguinity?
This is a vile rumour to spread without conclusive medical evidence.
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Three comments about White Phosphorus (known as 'Willie Pete' to the grunts).
a. it is used to generate smoke screens behind which soldiers and tanks manuever, obscured from enemy view.
b. it burns anything it comes into contact with. Which is how it generates smoke, silly! It consumes itself in the process. WP fires are not easily put out, so the chances of some of it reemaining behind in great concentrations are slim.
c. WP is also used in ilumination rounds (flares) because it burns very brightly, and for a long time. If I'm not mistaken, the flares burn up when spent.
If WP had gotten into the water supply, let's say, someone would have known about it immediately...not six years after the fact. It's poisonous, you know.
I rather doubt many people are farming in Fallujah, and so entry into the food supply through contamination of soil is questionable, as well.
If WP had contaminated anyone (residue on the skin, eyes or mucuous membranes) we'd have known right away. It's not the sort of thing you want to get in your eyes or up your nose -- because it burns, terribly, you see.
This same story (Americans used chemical weapons, especially WP, and people suffered horribly with lots of birth defects) was told about Vietnam (it ruined Peter Arnett's career at CNN, too), in the infamous "Operation Tailwind" saga...which was, like, 20 years ago.
It was a common charge made against American forces which defeated the Nazis, as well.
WP is not as widely used as High Explosive (HE) artillery rounds,so (relatively) few of those would have been used, and I would assume that what was used would have been in much smaller concentrations such as those used in smoke grenades; something which every grunt carries and would be apt to use quite frequently.
When this myth is finally debunked (after Obama leaves office, naturally), those who still oppose the decision to invade Iraq will start in with the other great "chemical weapons" myth; the effects of depleted uranium.
I'm surprised they didn't try the depleted uranium propaganda first.
And sorry about the length -- but aren't there elections coming up in Iraq soon. A guy named Al'Sadr was the leader of the resistance in Fallujah in 2004, and thanks to the Iraqis who kept the US Marines from kicking his sorry ass(seven times the Marines went into Fallujah -- each time they were on the verge of total victory until Iraqi peace feelers stopped them), Al'Sadr was 'made' a Minister of Parliament.
I wonder if he's standing for re-election?
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