Both sodium fluoride and potassium fluoride can be used in the production of the neurotoxic gas sarin.
Export
licenses for sodium fluoride and potassium fluoride were granted in
January 2012. Both substances “could also be used as precursor chemicals
in the manufacture of chemical weapons.”
British
MPs demanded an explanation from the government on Monday for the fact
that it granted licenses to export to Syria chemicals that could be used
to produce nerve gas. The licenses were granted just before the start
of the Syrian civil war. Export licenses for sodium fluoride and
potassium fluoride were granted in January 2012.
Both substances “could
also be used as precursor chemicals in the manufacture of chemical
weapons,” according to a report published by the House of Commons
Committee on Arms Export Controls in July. Angus Robertson, a Scottish
National Party MP, told RT that the issue was raised in the House of
Commons on Monday after the licensing had been publicized over the
weekend. “Defense ministers had to explain why it was that the UK would
even consider granting an export license,” Robertson said.
Both
sodium fluoride and potassium fluoride can be used in the production of
the neurotoxic gas sarin. Large doses of sarin can lead to paralysis,
loss of consciousness, convulsions and respiratory failure, and death.
“This is why they are included on the Australia Group chemical weapons
precursors list and are listed in Annex I of Council Regulation
428/2009, meaning a license is required for their export from the EU,”
the July report said. Oliver Fry, a spokesperson for the UK Department
of Business, Innovation and Skills, told RT: “We issued licenses for
sodium fluoride and potassium fluoride. The exporter and recipient
company demonstrated that the chemicals were for a legitimate, civilian
end-use, which was for metal finishing of aluminum profiles used in
making aluminum showers and aluminum window frames.”
It remains unclear who was the recipient of the chemical shipments.
“The export itself did not take place, so the chemicals did not make
their way to Syria,” Robertson added. “The UK rescinded the export
licenses when the EU told the UK to do it… Frankly, the problem is that
the UK was prepared to grant to an export license in the first place.”
RT, an official news agency of the Russian Republic, cited several
sources describing PM David Cameron rushing to the Middle East following
the “Arab spring,” eager to sell British military equipment to
potential new customers.
Read more at: http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/mps-enraged-uk-licensed-nerve-gas-chemicals-to-syria/2013/09/03/
Read more at: http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/mps-enraged-uk-licensed-nerve-gas-chemicals-to-syria/2013/09/03/
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