Military Interest in Low-lethality Biochemical Agents: The

0,23
MB Historical Interaction of Advocates, Experts, Pragmatists and

40
stron Politicians

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ID Center for Arms Control and NonProliferation

2005
rok

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Scope of Study

Documentary sources for Significant Groups

CASE STUDY #1: Low-Lethality Irritant Chemical Agents (LLICAs)

Military Use of LLICAs in Combat 1914-1918

Advocates Save the US Chemical Weapons Service 1919

LLICAs used 1919-1920

New LLICAs are developed post WWI

Post-War US Public and Military Sentiment is Strong to Outlaw Chemical Weapons

US CW Advocates press Civilian Use of LLICAs

CW Advocates Lobby Against Bans of Chemical Weapons 1922-1925

US CW Policy 1925-1935

Military LLICA use in civil disorders 1932

US CW Policy 1933-1948

UK LLICA Policy, 1925-1970

LLICAs and Violations of the 1925 Geneva Protocol in the 1930s

LLICAs in WWII

Advocates stress the potential of CW and BW and effect a softening of US CBW policy in early

Cold War era 1948-1952

LLICAs in the Korean War 1950-1953

Military use of LLICAs in Civil Disorders and the introduction of CS gas, 1956-1960

Fundamental Change in US CBW Policy 1956

Change in Political Support of CBW and Low Lethality CBPAs 1961-1968

LLICAs in the Vietnam War Era 1962-1975

The US contends the 1925 Geneva Protocol does not prohibit LLICAs

The Introduction of CS gas into Civilian Usage

British declare CS gas does not violate the 1925 Geneva Accords

The US Restricts RCA use and ratifies the 1925 Geneva Accords

LLICAs in the Iran-Iraq War

CASE STUDY #2: LOW LETHALITY INCAPACITATING PSYCHOCHEMICAL AGENTS

LLIPAs: Incapacitating Psychochemical (Pharmacological) Agents sought by US 1945-1975.

BZ Standardized 1964

Limitations of BZ as a LLIPA

LLIPA First Use Disavowed by US 1969

BZ and LLIPA Program Unilaterally Terminated by US 1980s.

CASE STUDY #3: LOW LETHALITY INFECTIOUS MICROBIAL AGENTS

The Wartime US BW Program

Advocates Save the US BW by promising LLIMAs 1945

Advocates Limit Expert Oversight of the BW Program 1946-1948

The Wartime British BW Program

The British Move for a Strategic Low Lethality BW capability. 1946-1954

The US Imports British Enthusiasm 1948-1953

The US SAC BW Crash Program: LLIMA by default 1952-1953

The technical failure of the 1950-1953 US SAC BW Crash Program

The Political failure of the LLIMA US SAC BW Crash Program

Nuclear Weapons replace strategic BW weapons in British and US strategy

Technical factors favor LLIMA development by US 1954-1969

Human testing favors development of LLIMAs

BW Doctrine Changes emphasize development of LLIMAs 1960-1969

BW Advocates face renewed skepticism from military pragmatists 1960-1964

The use of LLICAs in Vietnam raises concerns regarding possible elective use of LLIMAs, 1967-

1969

Independent Expert Scientific Groups criticize the US BW program

Opposition to the US BW and CW programs gain Journalistic and Political Support

Political opposition to BW becomes powerful

President Nixon disavows BW weapons, 1969

CONCLUSIONS

Endnotes