A War Crime Or an Act of War?

January 31, 2003, Friday
By STEPHEN C. PELLETIERE (NYT); Editorial Desk
Late Edition - Final, Section A, Page 29, Column 1, 1128 words

DISPLAYING ABSTRACT - Op-Ed article by Stephen C Pelletiere, senior CIA political analyst on Iraq during Iran-Iraq war, lays out facts in allegation that Saddam Hussein gassed Iraqi Kurds in Halabja in March 1988; says all that is known for certain is that Kurds were hit with poison gas that day, during battle with Iranians; explains that US Defense Intelligence Agency's report found both sides used gas during battle, and blamed Iranians for Kurdish deaths; notes Kurds died of cyanide-based gas that Iran, but not Iraq, had at time; explains that Iran sought control of key dam near Halabja, part of impressive Iraqi waterway system that is most extensive in Mideast; adds that Bush administration owes Americans full facts before going to war
http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstra...0894DB4044 82