Gulf War Syndrome   Term Paper ID:27408 Click to get this paper

Essay Subject: Discusses some of the possible causes of the mysterious illness affecting thousands of U.S. troops, most of whom served in the Persian Gulf. Concludes that the CIA & Department of Defense are stonewalling.... More...

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Paper Abstract: Discusses some of the possible causes of the mysterious illness affecting thousands of U.S. troops, most of whom served in the Persian Gulf. Concludes that the CIA & Department of Defense are stonewalling. Paper Introduction: INTRODUCTION Gulf War Syndrome is the name given to a series of illnesses affecting veterans of the Gulf War, illnesses with no clear etiology. This paper will evaluate the reasons for Gulf War Syndrome and its effects on the nation. It is estimated that more than 80,000 veterans are suffering from Gulf War Syndrome, and many of these people are still on active duty. Reports from the United Kingdom indicate that there are also many thousands of British veterans suffering from the same health problems. An official document published in July 1996 by the Department of Veterans' Affairs states that 6,526 Persian Gulf War veterans had died as of July 1, 1995. Gulf War Syndrome appears to be transmissible, for there are also thousands of spouses, parents, and children suffering form Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. Ibid., 17.[v]. U.S. BibliographyGeneral Accounting Office, U.S. Senator Donald W. Chemical masks and chemical protection suits were noteffective.[vi] Chemical detection alarms were also ineffective, and theprincipal alarm used during the war was not sufficiently sensitive todetect sustained low levels of chemical agent and to monitor personnel forcontamination. Before the start of the war, Iraq had a highlydeveloped chemical warfare program with several production facilities,stockpiled agents and weapons, binary capabilities, multiple and varieddelivery systems, and a documented history of chemical warfare agentuse.[ii] One month before the start of the war, then director of the CIA,William Woolsey, estimated that Iraq possessed 1, tons of poisonouschemical agents, much of it capable of being loaded into either the FROG(Free Rocker Over Ground) or SCUD missiles.[iii] On July 3 , 1991,Ambassador Rolf Ekeus, Director of the United Nations Special Commission onIraq, told the security Council that the UN inspectors had found chemicalwarheads with nerve gas and that some were already fitted onto SCUDmissiles.[iv] Over a three-week period in 1991, coalition forces bombed atleast 24 Iraqi chemical weapons storage, research, and/or production sites,and 17 tons of sarin were destroyed at the Muthanna State Establishment(Samarra) facility alone.[v] There is substantial evidence to suggest thatthe use of chemical weapons by the Iraqi military adhered to Sovietmilitary doctrine, suggesting that chemical warfare should be conductedwith mixed agents. U.N. Another reason given is that admission would seriously erodethe trust of soldiers in their leadership. Chemical and Biological Warfare-Related Dual-Use Exports to Iraq and Their Possible Impact on the Health Consequences of the Persian Gulf War (May 25, 1994), 17.U.S. It has been concluded by numerous medical authorities that Gulf WarSyndrome is the direct health consequence of prolonged exposure to low (non-lethal) levels of chemical and biological gents released by direct Iraqiattack via missiles, rockets, artillery, or aircraft munitions; falloutfrom the destruction of Iraqi ammunition bunkers; and fallout from alliedbombings of Iraqi chemical warfare munitions facilities during the 38-dayair war. Senate, U.S. Hrd. The one preferred by much of the military establishment hasbeen stress caused by military service in the Gulf. Our refusal to come to their immediate assistance can only lead others to question the integrity of the nation they serve.[vii]The Washington Post concluded in April 1997 that the CIA and the Departmentof Defense had been complicit in a stonewall if not a coverup of the factssurrounding Gulf War Syndrome. Chemical and Biological Warfare-Related Dual-UseExports to Iraq and Their Possible Impact on the Health Consequences of thePersian Gulf War (May 25, 1994), 17.[iv]. There is also ample evidence that there is such a thing as Gulf WarSyndrome and that it was likely caused by exposure to these chemicalagents. Mixed agents are intended to enhance the capabilitiesof nerve agents and to defeat precautions taken by the enemy. Stress can indeed cause physical problems,including many of those associated with Gulf War Syndrome, though it is notat all clear why this war should have been any more stressful than anyother unless there were an external force, such as a chemical agent,contributing to the stressors affecting those serving in the Gulf. U.S. Senate, Hearing Before the Committee on Banking, Housing, andUrban Affairs, "United States Dual-Use Exports to Iraq and Their Impact onthe Health of the Persian Gulf War Veterans, S. measureswere ineffective. This paperwill evaluate the reasons for Gulf War Syndrome and its effects on thenation. Chemical and Biological Warfare-Related Dual-UseExports to Iraq and Their Possible Impact on the Health Consequences of thePersian Gulf War (May 25, 1994), 1 . Inaddition, admission at this time would be an embarrassment for variousleaders. James Truite, III, Report of the Fallout from the Destruction ofIraqi Chemical Warfare Agent Research, Production, and Storage Facilitiesinto Areas Occupied by U.S. An officialdocument published in July 1996 by the Department of Veterans' Affairsstates that 6,526 Persian Gulf War veterans had died as of July 1, 1995. The coverup has come about out of fear of admitting what waspreviously denied and out of fear of liability. Senate, Hearing Before the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, "United States Dual-Use Exports to Iraq and Their Impact on the Health of the Persian Gulf War Veterans, S. CAUSES OF GULF WAR SYNDROME The department of defense, the Central Intelligence Agency, and thedepartment of Veterans Affairs have all claimed at some time that eitherthere is no such thing as Gulf War Syndrome or there is no reason tobelieve chemical agents could be responsible for the associated illnessesunder that rubric. CONSEQUENCES OF GULF WAR SYNDROME Former U.S. Among the suspected causesof this problem are the possible use or dissemination of chemical agents inthe war; some 14, chemical agent alarms deployed with the U.S. government has denied that any such cause couldbe operating and has even denied that there is such a thing as Gulf WarSyndrome. Senate, U.S. On the defense side, U.S. The veterans of the Gulf war have asked us for nothing more than the assistance they have earned. Others are now destitute, having spent tens of thousands of dollars, depleting their life savings, in an unsuccessful search for an explanation for their ailments. forces inthe Gulf sounded on average three times each day during the air and groundwars, according to Department of Defense testimony before the U.S.Senate.[i] Yet, the U.S. Interest focused early on the possible use or release of chemicalagents in the desert war. Congress, Chemical Warfare: SoldiersInadequately Equipped and Trained to Conduct Operations (May 1991).[vii]. After all, thisetiology would relieve the government of responsibility or of having toanswer questions about the possible use or release of chemical agents byeither side in the war. Gulf War Syndrome appears to be transmissible, for there are alsothousands of spouses, parents, and children suffering form the samedebilitating illnesses, including a disproportionate number of newbornswith birth defects and physical abnormalities. Hrd. U.S. inspectors have identified a wide variety of chemical andbiological agents in the Iraqi arsenal. Fear of liability thus fuels the coverup. CONCLUSION There is considerable evidence for the use of chemical agents by Iraqand for the accidental release of such agents by U.S. Riegle stated the nature of the problemand its consequences: Our afflicted veterans are sick and suffering, and many have died. Official acknowledgment of the use of chemical and biologicalagents by Iraq would he created panic among coalition forces at the time,and so the leadership now cannot acknowledge this use out of fear of losingcredibility. 1 3-9 (May 25,1994).[ii]. Congress, Chemical Warfare: Soldiers Inadequately Equipped and Trained to Conduct Operations (May 1991).Truite, James III. Report of the Fallout from the Destruction of Iraqi Chemical Warfare Agent Research, Production, and Storage Facilities into Areas Occupied by U.S. bombing and othermeans. INTRODUCTION Gulf War Syndrome is the name given to a series of illnesses affectingveterans of the Gulf War, illnesses with no clear etiology. The preciseeffect of such mixtures can be unpredictable. Senate, U.S. General Accounting Office, U.S. Tuite, 3-4.[vi]. Military Personnel during the 1991 Persian Gulf War (September 19, 1996).U.S. 1 3-9 (May 25, 1994).----------------------- Endnotes[i]. It is estimated that more than 8 , veterans are suffering fromGulf War Syndrome, and many of these people are still on active duty.Reports from the United Kingdom indicate that there are also many thousandsof British veterans suffering from the same health problems. Military Personnel during the 1991 Persian GulfWar (September 19, 1996), 23.[iii]. As Congress continues topressure the military for a change in attitude, however, an acknowledgementof the truth may be possible. One of the reasons given for this coverupis the cost of providing appropriate medical care to all afflicted veteransand their families. For those accepting that there is such a thing as GulfWar Syndrome, two major reasons for the development of these illnesses havebeen advanced. If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.