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Iraq II: United Nations Overrules U.S. Objections to Chemical Sale The United Nations has overruled U.S. objections to an Iraqi purchase of colloidal silicon dioxide, a compound which can enhance chemical and biological agents, the Washington Times reported today (see GSN, Oct. 17). Iraq ordered the substance in August 2001, but the United States blocked the shipment over concerns of its possible use, according to the Times. Nevertheless, the chemical was delivered last month after the United Nations approved the sale, said Hasmik Egin a spokeswoman for the U.N. oil-for-food program. Colloidal silicon dioxide is not included on the program’s Goods Review List, Egin said (see GSN, May 21). “If it is not a GRL item, it is up for approval,” she said. The United States had placed the initial contract for the chemical on hold, Egin said. Once additional information was provided to the U.N. sanctions committee, however, the hold was lifted, she said. While colloidal silicon dioxide has commercial applications, it can also be used to produce “dusty” chemical and biological agents capable of penetrating protective clothing, U.S. intelligence officials said. “The U.N. is helping the Iraqis to enhance their biological and chemical weapons,” said a U.S. intelligence official familiar with reports of the chemical sale. U.S. intelligence agencies have estimated that dusty nerve agents can cause a fatality rate as high as 38 percent in troops wearing full protective gear, Eric Croddy, a chemical and biological weapons specialist at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, said in a recent article (see GSN, Oct. 29). The U.N. Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission is reviewing a second colloidal silicon dioxide contract that had been rejected as “noncompliant” with the Goods Review List, Egin said (Bill Gertz, Washington Times, Nov. 6). For further information, see: U.N. Resolution 687 (Sanctions Regime) U.N. Resolution 1409 (“Smart Sanctions”) U.S. State Department Fact Sheet on Iraqi Sanctions Revisions U.N. Resolution 706 (Oil-For-Food Program)
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