Return-Path: <owner-imap@chumbly.math.missouri.edu>
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 98 17:36:51 CDT
From: David Muller <davemull@alphalink.com.au>
Organization: South Movement
Subject: CNN: US Used Nerve Gas Against Defectors in Viet War
Article: 36454
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Message-ID: <bulk.1859.19980609181516@chumbly.math.missouri.edu>

U.S. used nerve gas during Vietnam War; Mission targeted American defectors in Laos

From the South Movement, 9 June 1998

The United States used lethal nerve gas during a mission to kill American defectors in Laos during the Vietnam War in 1970, according to the results of an eight-month investigation being broadcast Sunday on the premiere of "NewsStand: CNN & Time."

The "NewsStand" investigation reveals that on September 11, 1970, a "hatchet force" of 16 U.S. soldiers and approximately 140 Montagnard mercenaries helicoptered 60 miles deep into Laos from a Vietnamese base, Dak To.

These soldiers were part of SOG -- the Studies and Observations Group-a small, elite unit of the U.S.Special Forces. SOG commandos carried out "black operations" against unusual targets, using unusual weapons. On Operation Tailwind, officers were briefed that anything in the non-nuclear U.S. arsenal would be available to them.

The report was based on interviews with 200 people, * including dozens who fought or flew on the mission, * called Operation Tailwind. * The report airs Sunday at 10 p.m. EDT and PDT on CNN, * with an updated version airing Monday at the same times.*