SPACE WIRE
Marines discover "shells" with suspected chemical arms in Iraq
BAGHDAD (AFP) Apr 13, 2003
US marines in Iraq have discovered 278 artillery shells carrying a substance that tested positive as a chemical agent, senior officers said Sunday.

Major Stephen Armes, operations officer of the Marines 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment, said the shells suspected of containing blister agents were found Saturday in trailers parked in a schoolyard.

Three were mounted on launchers, he said.

"They tested positive for chemical weapons," Armes said. But Lieutenant Colonel Fred Padilla, the battalion commander, said more tests were required.

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