Iraq Not to Use Chemical Weapons When Defending Baghdad? - 25 March, 2003

Iraqi Ambassador to Moscow Abbas Khalaf refuted information of the western media saying that while defending Baghdad Iraq might use prohibited weapons against the troops of the U.S. - British coalition.

Abbas Khalaf said at a press conference in Moscow that the Iraqi Armed Forces would not employ such types of weapons that are prohibited by international agreements. Moreover, he stressed that U.S. troops had used cluster bombs against Iraq and thus, violated international conventions.

The CNN broadcasting company reported on Tuesday with reference to the Pentagon that the Iraqi command had issued an order to use chemical weapons if the U.S. troops pass the "red line" not far from the Iraqi capital.