A French parliamentary commission announced plans Wednesday to travel to the United States, Canada, Britain and possibly Iraq as part of a sweeping six-month inquiry into the causes of Gulf War syndrome.
Socialist Deputy Bernard Cazeneuve, the commission's president, said the group hoped to "gain access to the largest possible pool of information" by speaking to civilians, military officials and scientists.
The commission, which will also travel throughout France, will hold public sessions and is considering plans to go to Iraq, which was bombed and partly invaded by a US-led coalition in 1991.
"We will go to Iraq if we can properly prepare the trip," said Cazeneuve.
Defense Minister Alain Richard last month proposed the parliamentary inquest into Gulf War syndrome and separately set up a task force to look into complaints filed by war veterans who claim to be suffering from the illness.
Of the 25,000 French troops who served in the Gulf War from August 1990 to the spring of 1991, several dozens are suffering from health problems dating back to their military mission.
The illness is characterized by dizziness, loss of memory, diarrhea, occasional high levels of aggression, muscular and articulate pains, insomnia and mental problems – PARIS (AFP)
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