WKI HOSTS HALABJA SEMINAR
	On November 18-19, WKI hosted a seminar to consider a treatment and research program for victims of chemical and biological weapons attacks on Halabja and elsewhere in Iraqi Kurdistan (northern Iraq). Convened at Meridian House, in Washington, D.C, the closed seminar was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and chaired by Dr. Christine Gosden, a medical geneticist from Liverpool, UK, who is conducting a long-term health study of Halabja survivors. Representatives of relevant US Government agencies, experts on chemical, biological and nuclear exposures, key congressional staff, and representatives of humanitarian aid groups active in the region attended. Ten years after being exposed to chemical, and possibly biological agents, Halabja's population is still sick and dying. Cancers, infertility, congenital malformations and other serious health problems are common. The combination of agents used in the attack has poisoned the environment. In a region hard hit by conflict, the community remains virtually destroyed, its residents suffering severe economic and social dislocation Halabja represents an important opportunity to study the physical and environmental affects of chemical weapons so that more effective responses and treatments can be developed to help future victims. A carefully crafted treatment/research program could provide critical assistance to ongoing international responses to the threat of chemical, biological and nuclear exposures, while helping the population cope with long-term health needs. Such a program could also facilitate cooperation between Kurdish political parties and would represent a positive approach to responding to Saddam Hussein's threat.. On Wednesday morning, November 18, WKI President Dr. Najmaldin Karim introduced Ambassador Beth Jones, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Sate, Near East Affairs, who gave introductory remarks expressing the Department of State's support the seminar and its objectives. Dr. Christine Gosden delivered welcoming remarks. Halabja Lessons: Responding to Global WMD Threat The first panel outlined the scope of exposures and subsequent health, environmental and other problems, underscoring a need for a multifaceted response. Gwynne Roberts, a film maker who worked in the region since the 1970s moderated and presented a video on current conditions in Halabja. Ambassador Peter Galbraith, a regional expert who investigated chemical attacks on Halabja, assessed international responses and the current threat. Dr. Bob Cook-Deegan, (Physicians for Human Rights/National Academy of Sciences) discussed chemical attacks elsewhere in northern Iraq. Dr. Margret Georg, a chemical bombardment survivor discussed her experiences in the region. Prof. Ake Sellstrom (Swedish Defense Research Institute) discussed the dimensions of Saddam's chemical arsenal. Doctors from Halabja and Suleymaniya discussed current the medical status of the local population and infrastructure capabilities. Mobilizing Intl. Medical/Academic Establishments Studies developed through the program could benefit ongoing international efforts to respond to and treat chemical/biological exposures. Exchanges of doctors and academicians will be critical to developing effective long term treatment and research regimes. A panel examining these issues was moderated by Dr. Ron Waldman (Center for Disease Control, Director, Forced Migration and Health Program; Columbia University, School of Public Health) Dr. Christine Gosden, discussed ongoing research on affects of chemical exposures on future generations, including data on congenital malformations, infertility and fetal and infant deaths gathered in a recent visit to Halabja. Dr. Philip Edelman (George Washington University Medical Center, Director of Toxicology) discussed the promise and difficulties associated with research and treatment of chemical agents. Dr. Eliot Sorel (Chairman, Violence Task Force, World Psychiatric Association, Clinical Professor of Psychology, George Washington University) discussed the implications of Halabja for research and treatment of numerous neuro-psychiatric problems resulting from nerve agent exposures and the role of academic and medical institutions in CBN treatment, and research. The effects of chemical agents on the environment, including water supplies, soil and other elements were addressed by an environmental engineer and former managing director of the region's two largest dams. Related infrastructure issues were also discussed. Linking Infrastructures One panel assessed academic and medical infrastructures and technical aspects of implementing treatment and research programs. Chaired by Dr. Christine Gosden, the panel included five doctors from the region who work in Halabja or lead regional medical colleges. The panelists outlined optimal international responses. On Thursday, November 19, WKI Executive Director Mike Amitay delivered remarks on implementation of the treatment/research program. Local Political Support The day's first panel, moderated by Mike Amitay, included representatives of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (Barham Salih), and Islamic Movement of Kurdistan (Ehsan Abdulaziz). A representative of the Kurdish Democratic Party, who attended the first day, could not participate on the panel. Mr. Amitay thanked the KDP leadership for its expressed support for the program. Panelists discussed political and security implications of the program. Role of Local and International NGOs A panel focused on NGO activities in support of the Halabja program. Local and international NGOs will play crucial roles in developing capacities to administer effective long-term care. The panel was moderated by Joe Donahue, a humanitarian logistics and security authority who worked in northern Iraq and Bosnia. Barbara Smith, Director of International Operations, International Rescue Committee, assessed the capacity of international NGOs to assist the Halabja program. Representatives of Peace Winds Japan, (medical clinics and resettlement efforts throughout northern Iraq), discussed current working conditions for local and international NGOs in the region. Abdulkareem Shamdeen, a former OFDA employee from Iraqi Kurdistan discussed local NGO capacity. At a session examining relevance of Iran/Iraq War chemical weapons use, Richard Price (Applied Science & Analysis, Inc.) introduced Iranian video documentation and provided an overview of studies conducted by Iranian doctors on tens of thousands of soldiers injured by chemical attacks during the Iran/Iraq war. Following the panels, participants broke up into working groups to discuss collaborative efforts and to outline projects which will assist implementation of the broad treatment/research program. Working groups focused on medical/health issues, humanitarian aid issues and legal and educational issues. It was acknowledged that environmental issues also deserved specific focus. Rapporteurs within each group reported to the seminar before adjournment, outlining specific recommendations and strategies. Dr. Christine Gosden and Mike Amitay moderated submission of the rapporteur reports.