US general defends phosphorus use
The United States' most senior general has defended the use of weapons containing white phosphorus in Iraq.
 White phosphorous being used over Falluja
|
30 November 2005
General Peter Pace said that such munitions were a "legitimate tool of the military", used to illuminate targets and create smokescreens.
Two weeks ago, the US admitted using it to flush out insurgents in Falluja last year - raising concerns that it might have hit civilians.
Initially, the military denied using it against either insurgents or civilians.
Correspondents said having had to retract its original denial was a public relations disaster for the US.
'Within the law'
Gen Pace said no military went to greater lengths to avoid civilian casualties than the US army.
He said white phosphorus, a chemical that burns on exposure to oxygen, producing a bright light and lots of white smoke, was used primarily to illuminate a battlefield or to hide troop movements.
Benzer İçerikler
Incendiary weapons: The big white lie
The Independent
The US used chemical weapons in Iraq - and then lied about it
George Monbiot
Behind the phosphorus clouds are war crimes within war crimes
George Monbiot
Phosphorus Tale Burns Pentagon
Common Dreams
