June 28, 2006
Mahabad, West Azarbaijan prov
IRNA
Iran-Asefi-UN — Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said here on Wednesday that some 110 cases of use of chemical weapons as part of crimes committed by the ousted Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein during eight years of sacred defense (1980-1988) have been registered at the United Nations.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the seminar commemorating the martyrs of Sardasht chemical weapons, he said the Islamic Republic of Iran has endeavored to protect the legitimate rights of all victims of chemical weapons at the United Nations as well as Organization for Disarmament of Chemical Weapons.
A number of victims of chemical weapons were sent to the Hague while we extended invitation to inspectors from different international organizations to inspect various parts of Iran and meet the victims of chemical weapons, he said.
A Dutch company which was engaged in production of chemical weapons and had assisted the Saddam regime has been recently condemned in an international court and its verdict would be issued in the near future, he pointed out.
These measures have proved that Saddam committed such crimes using chemical weapons provided by western countries, he said.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is to continue its efforts to support the legitimate rights of victims of chemical weapons and their families until receiving compensation, he said.
A message from President Ahmadinejad was also read out in the congress.
Some 113 civilians attained martyrdom during chemical assault on Sardasht region in 1987 and tens of thousands were injured in the attacks.
Sardasht is the first city in the world to undergo chemical weapon shelling.
http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-236/0606281311181624.htm