SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY REVIEW

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06157048
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: September 26, 2017
• Case Number: F-2012-01432
• Publication Date: November 27, 1978

pproved for Release: 2015/01/05 006157048
National
Foreign
Assessment
Center
Li rale/4-
c 3 C-c12,6e,
27 November 1978
LI el
SI WR 78-048
Copy
Approved for Release: 2015/01/05 C06157048
(b)(3)
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pp roved . 15/01/05 006157048
pproved for Release: 2015/01/05 006157048
CONTENTS
BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WARFARE
Laos: Chemical Warfare Reportedly Used Against
the Meos
The Laotian Army reportedly is using CW
agents against Meo tribesmen.
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
SI WR 78-048
27 Nov 78
Approved for Release: 2015/01/05 006157048
pproved for Release: 2015/01/05 006157048
Laos: Chemical Warfare Reportedly Used Against the Meos
If chemical warfare were employed, the agents used
probably were chlorine or phosgene, which are readily
available on the world market.
A recent Bangkok newspaper cited four witnesses who
stated that the CW agent was delivered by aircraft using
bombs and rockets. The agent was described as a green,
red, or yellow cloud that covered a village. Physical
symptoms reported included vomiting, disorientation, loss
of equilibrium, and death in about 20 minutes. This re-
port has not been confirmed, and some other refugees
from the area reportedly showed no symptoms. If true,
this is the first known use of chemical warfare by Laos.
The effects described by the witnesses include some
symptoms suggesting that the reported cloud was a World
War I - type respiratory agent, and the colors suggest
that it could have been chlorine or phosgene, either of
which would be effective against small villages. Inas-
much as these agents are gases at ambient temperatures
and have a specific gravity greater than air, they would
form a layer of gas at ground level rather than dispers-
ing rapidly.
Chlorine and phosgene are readily available on the
world market. Shipping containers could be used as crude
bombs, which would rupture on striking the ground, or the
chemicals easily could be transferred to bombs or other
aircraft-compatible tanks that would rupture in the same
manner.
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