VOICER US ally Bahrain increases readiness for chemical attack
(27 Feb 2003) 0000 Wide shot decontamination tent with sign "Incident Post" at Salmaniya Medical Complex 0005 Man adjusting gas mask on his face 0010 Bahraini police 0015 "Patient" being wheeled on stretcher into decontamination tent 0021 "Patient" being pushed in wheelchair in front of decontamination tent 0026 Ambulance drives past scene into hospital 0030 Various of "patients" being washed down inside decontamination tent 0039 Ambulance arriving at hospital 0042 "Patient" being wheeled into hospital 0046 Various of medical staff treating mock patients during training exercise 0113 Vision ends STORYLINE Bahrain has stepped up its preparations for a chemical attack if conflict breaks out in Iraq. In Thursday's drill in the capital, Manama, emergency crews treated mock victims pretending to suffer from chemical exposure. The Gulf State is an important US ally and may become a target for missiles launched by Saddam Hussein's regime. VOICE-OVER: 0002 This is where people will go if Bahrain is attacked by chemical weapons. 0006 With continued talk of a war in Iraq, Bahrainis want to be prepared in case their country becomes a target for Iraqi weapons. 0014 These mobile decontamination units can be set up within hours. 0018 Bahrain has four - each able to treat up to 9-thousand people a day. 0023 The country has also acquired a siren warning system, and launched a public awareness campaign of what to do in a chemical attack. 0030 In the training exercise outside Salmaniya hospital, emergency crews quickly washed down mock patients before wheeling them inside. 0036 Medical staff worked against the clock - as they would in a real attack. 0041 Officials say emergency shelters to be built throughout Bahrain will accommodate up to 39-thousand people. 0049 The government says the chances of an Iraqi attack are low - but history says otherwise. 0054 In the 1991 Gulf War, Iraq twice fired long-range scud missiles at the island kingdom. 0100 Both attempts missed their target. 0102 Bahraini authorities are eager to be prepared should if they are so less lucky a second time around. 0113 Script ends Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
