European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 29, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Sunday May 29, 1994 the stars and stripes a Page 3 . In by Cindy Kilton Washington Bureau Washington a a congressional committee will investigate if chemical or biological agents sold to Iraq during the 1980s May have been used in weapons against americans during the persian Gulf War a . Senator said last week. Quot its this committees responsibility to determine Why such agents were sold to a country like Iraq one with a known capability for such weapons and to change our Export Laws to ensure it wont happen again a said sen. Donald Riegle jr., d-mich., chairman of the Senate banking housing and Urban affairs committee during a Daylong hearing. Wednesday s hearing focused on iraqis possible use of such weapons and How that might be linked with the persian Gulf syndrome the name Given to numerous health problems experienced by veterans. The hearing followed the Senate committees release of a 160-Page report tuesday that includes 30 eyewitness accounts of chemical alarms sounding and personnel showing signs of chemical agent exposure during both the air and ground phases of the 1991 War. Senators issued the report because the committee has the authority to investigate All . Exports to foreign governments. Government records show that from 1985 to 1989 the United states sold numerous biological agents to various iraqi government agencies including iraqis atomic Energy commission Riegle said. A i find it highly highly disturbing that we gave Saddam the Means to develop weapons that might have been used against us a he said referring to iraqi president Saddam Hussein. V Edwin Dorn undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness told the hearing that there a still no a information classified or unclassified a that Iraq used chemical or biological weapons against coalition forces during the Gulf War. One theory on the cause of the illness is that the exposure to Low Levels of chemical or biological agents was not enough to be detected but that it was enough to cause delayed physical reactions. \ yet  he refuses to Point to the use of chem Leal or biological weapons As the cause of the veterans arming Iraq . Exports of biological warfare related materials the iraqi chemical weapons program probably began in the ate 1970s and concentrated on the development of two agents botulinum toxin and anthrax bacteria the conduct of the persian Gulf War final report to Congress Dod 1992 anthrax b a Clostridium botulinum Bacillus Anth Racis produces botulinum toxin fever vomiting breathing difficulty constipation Chest pain a thirst a septicaemia general weakness often fatal headache brucellosis 1 1 Clostridium per Ringens Brucella aborts Gas gangrene Brucella Mel Tensis highly toxic chronic fatigue kills muscle cells loss of appetite produces toxins sweat at res leading to systemic illness muscle pain aches Hist plasma Caps Latum pneumonia a enlarged spleen liver influenza like illness inflammatory skin disease a shipped feb. 22,1985, tothe iraqi ministry of higher education and july 11,1985, to the Middle and near Bast regional Agency in Iraq nausea insomnia damage to major organs 2% mortality. Shipped may2,1986, to the iraqi ministry of higher education and sept. 29,1988, to the iraqi ministry of Dade source department of defense report illnesses. A Many chemical detectors alarmed but there were no confirmed detections of any chemical or biological agents at any time during the entire conflict a he said. Dorn added that after the War ended no such agents were found in the kuwaiti theater of operations which includes the portions of Southern Iraq and Kuwait that were considered to be the Battlefield. A the International Community agrees with these conclusions a Dorn a  \ Quot a a a \ a a a a. A a a Riegle said that As far As he and the committee members Are concerned there is a plenty of anecdotal evidence that these weapons were used a primarily in warheads of iraqis scud missiles. V regarding alarms going off to Alert troops of chemical weapons or. Theodore. Prociv a defense department expert on chemical and biological weapons said the explanation is that the chemical alarms were faulty or were reacting to diesel fumes smoke or other environmental contaminants. A a a a a a a a a a a a a a a is amps one committee member sen. Robert Bennett a Utah said a that reasoning backs the defense department into a catch-22  on one hand he said the department has concluded that in a every single instance that alarms sounded a which total into the thousands a it was for the wrong  a so in turn you re saying that these alarms Are useless a Bennett said. A a you re saying that Money was spent on something that our men and women in uniform were told would protect them and that does t work a a a a a a Riegle said he a determined to get to the Bottom of these questions before . Forces Are put on another Battlefield where chemical or biological weapons might be used. Quot the reality is that we re facing a situation right now with North Korea with similar consequences a Riegle said a because i believe that government is just As capable of using these weapons As  girl scout goes it alone for top by Marc Mcfann . Bureau London a Melissa Soileau 17, believes that if you want something bad enough and Are willing to work hard you will get it. To prove her Point through self sacrifice and plenty of her own initiative Soileau recently achieved the girl scouts highest accolade the Gold award. A when we got Over Here about a i years ago they did no to have any senior girl scout program a said Soileau whose father is a Navy master chief Petty officer at the . Naval forces Europe Headquarters in London. A fall they had was the girl  however joining the British version of the girl scouts would have meant starting from scratch. Soileau who joined the brownies at age 4, would not have received credit for her girl scout accomplishments Over the past 12 years. So after what seemed like countless frustrating phone Calls and research Soileau finally made the right contacts in the United states and was accepted into the individual girl scout program designed for people who live in Rural areas or other communities with no Active program. In the individual program a girl scout has Only a sponsor to guide her through a amps Marc Mcfann Melissa Soileau requirements for the Gold award which is the equivalent of the boy scouts Eagle award. A you done to have anyone to look at and ask How they did something a Soileau said. A you have to rely on  among the Many requirements for the Gold award Are Community service Ca reer focus application and leadership a i worked in the Exchange at Raf West Ruislip As part of my career focus on marketing and for leadership i worked with an american Junior girl scout troop in teaching them different types of camping skills a Soileau said. Being a Leader is nothing new for Soi Leau who was the Pitcher on her South Carolina state Champion girls softball team before moving on to be the Only girl on a boys baseball team when she was 12. A a a a a i played for two different boys teams said Soileau who graduates from London Central High school this year. She also enjoys gardening and is Active in her High school drama club and band Soileau recently played the part of Helena in her school s production of Midsummer nights dream and her gardening efforts were rewarded when her Yard won a Yard of the  Soileau credits her father for much of her Success in life. A my dad always taught us to strive hard and do the Best you can at whatever you do Quot she said. Soileau who plays the trumpet willbe returning to the United states next month. She has a band scholarship to attend Mcneese state University in Lake Charles la., where she will major in nursing. Civvies Only for travellers to in Ciurlik in Ciurlik a Turke a military travellers headed for in Ciurlik a within the next six to nine months must Wear civilian clothing on the trip according to the air forces air mobility come. Starting thursday military flights will land at the civilian Airport in nearby Adana while incur like a runway is closed for repair. Because of the threat of terrorist attacks against . Military personnel in Turkey service members Are not allowed to Wear uniforms off base. The policy is being extended to military passengers arriving at Adana which is about is Miles from the base a statement from the command said. Passengers will be met at their plane by a bus that will take them to the in Ciurlik passenger terminal. There Are no changing facilities where the military flights Are Landing in Adana so it is important that passengers travel in civilian clothing the statement said