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Cable television broadcasting industry

US Nerve Gas Controversy Rocks CNN and Time Media Giants

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A highly sensationalized report by Peter Arnett and April Oliver of CNN and Time magazine has sparked outrage and raised questions about the US government's use of nerve gas during the Vietnam War. The report, which claimed that a US Special Forces unit had dropped Sarin gas on enemy units in Laos, has been met with skepticism and criticism from former soldiers and officials, who claim that the story is based on unreliable sources and scientific evidence.

Key Takeaways:

  • The report by CNN and Time magazine, which aired on June 7, claimed that a US Special Forces unit had dropped Sarin gas on enemy units in Laos during Operation Tailwind in 1970.
  • The report was based on interviews with over 200 sources, including former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Thomas Moorer, who allegedly confirmed the use of nerve agent in an off-camera remark.
  • However, several of the sources have since recanted their statements, including Lieutenant Robert Van Buskirk, who led one of the three platoons in the mission and claimed to have called for the gas attack.
  • The official version of Operation Tailwind makes no mention of the deserters that Arnett and Oliver claim were the main objective of the mission.
  • A de-classified special forces history claims the operation was a diversion for a secret CIA operation and refers to the use of teargas but not a lethal nerve agent.
  • Several of the 16 Americans in the mission said there were no orders to kill defectors and none were seen during the mission.
  • They confirmed that gas was dropped but said it was not lethal.

Statistics:

  • Over 200 sources were interviewed for the CNN and Time report.
  • The report was broadcast on June 7, followed by a Time magazine report on June 8.
  • The Pentagon launched an investigation into the allegations within days.
  • Getty Images cited a report on the allegations, which featured images of soldiers wearin gas masks.

Sources:

  • CNN/Time report (June 7)
  • Time magazine report (June 8)
  • Pentagon investigation
  • Admiral Thomas Moorer interview
  • Lieutenant Robert Van Buskirk interview
  • De-classified special forces history
  • Newsweek report
  • Weekly Standard magazine

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