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Gulf War Veterans Suing Chemical Companies, Banks
Aired August 20, 2003 - 14:24 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Twelve years later, thousands of veterans of the first war in Iraq are suffering from a debilitating illness that has become known as Gulf War Syndrome.
And now they're seeking justice from the businesses that may have helped supply Iraq's defunct chemical weapons program.
CNN's Deborah Feyerick with our story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: When coalition forces rolled into Kuwait during the first Gulf War, Dan Hammond was with them. A United States Marine captain and varsity college athlete, Hammond was in peak physical condition.
DANIEL HAMMOND, GULF WAR VETERAN: Three months out of my life, it was almost a footnote. But it's become the defining moment in my life.
FEYERICK: That's because the illnesses started almost as soon as he got home: excruciating joint pain, constant exhaustion and memory loss, a body no longer working right.
HAMMOND: I describe it like I'm a carpenter and somebody took away my toolbox.
FEYERICK: Hammond and thousands of other veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome want justice. They're suing dozens of international companies and banks identified in the United Nations inspectors' documents.
The companies were allegedly selling chemicals or equipment to Saddam Hussein. The banks, for allegedly handling the deals.
GARY PITTS, PLAINTIFFS' ATTORNEY: These companies were instrumental in making Saddam's chemical weapons of mass destruction. He could not have done it without their help.
FEYERICK: Eleven companies and more than 30 banks named as defendants.
None of the banks reached by CNN would comment. But a number of companies previously denied any connection to Iraq weapons programs.
KENNETH MCCALLION, PLAINTIFFS' ATTORNEY: These chemicals were supplied to Iraq by a number of companies, France, German companies, Swiss companies, and, yes, unfortunately a few American companies.
FEYERICK: Lawyers for the Gulf War veterans filed the federal lawsuit in Brooklyn in part because the court has handled similar cases in the past. Settlements for Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange and for Holocaust survivors fighting to reclaim inheritances left in Swiss banks.
No dollar figure has been put on this Gulf War lawsuit. But for a life-long Army reservist Ray Bodonaro, it's not about the money. It's about...
RAYMOND BODONARO, GULF WAR VETERAN: Vindication, more than anything. I'm looking for these companies to pay for their dirty deeds.
FEYERICK (on camera): And if they win their fight, lawyers for the veterans say they hope it sends a strong message that in the end, banks and businesses will be held accountable for the people they deal with.
Deborah Feyerick, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired August 20, 2003 - 14:24 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Twelve years later, thousands of veterans of the first war in Iraq are suffering from a debilitating illness that has become known as Gulf War Syndrome.
And now they're seeking justice from the businesses that may have helped supply Iraq's defunct chemical weapons program.
CNN's Deborah Feyerick with our story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: When coalition forces rolled into Kuwait during the first Gulf War, Dan Hammond was with them. A United States Marine captain and varsity college athlete, Hammond was in peak physical condition.
DANIEL HAMMOND, GULF WAR VETERAN: Three months out of my life, it was almost a footnote. But it's become the defining moment in my life.
FEYERICK: That's because the illnesses started almost as soon as he got home: excruciating joint pain, constant exhaustion and memory loss, a body no longer working right.
HAMMOND: I describe it like I'm a carpenter and somebody took away my toolbox.
FEYERICK: Hammond and thousands of other veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome want justice. They're suing dozens of international companies and banks identified in the United Nations inspectors' documents.
The companies were allegedly selling chemicals or equipment to Saddam Hussein. The banks, for allegedly handling the deals.
GARY PITTS, PLAINTIFFS' ATTORNEY: These companies were instrumental in making Saddam's chemical weapons of mass destruction. He could not have done it without their help.
FEYERICK: Eleven companies and more than 30 banks named as defendants.
None of the banks reached by CNN would comment. But a number of companies previously denied any connection to Iraq weapons programs.
KENNETH MCCALLION, PLAINTIFFS' ATTORNEY: These chemicals were supplied to Iraq by a number of companies, France, German companies, Swiss companies, and, yes, unfortunately a few American companies.
FEYERICK: Lawyers for the Gulf War veterans filed the federal lawsuit in Brooklyn in part because the court has handled similar cases in the past. Settlements for Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange and for Holocaust survivors fighting to reclaim inheritances left in Swiss banks.
No dollar figure has been put on this Gulf War lawsuit. But for a life-long Army reservist Ray Bodonaro, it's not about the money. It's about...
RAYMOND BODONARO, GULF WAR VETERAN: Vindication, more than anything. I'm looking for these companies to pay for their dirty deeds.
FEYERICK (on camera): And if they win their fight, lawyers for the veterans say they hope it sends a strong message that in the end, banks and businesses will be held accountable for the people they deal with.
Deborah Feyerick, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
