The Iraqis and Iranians Don't Forget History Like We Do

On this day in 1981 (from Peace History)

The U.S. Senate approved a $20 billion program to return U.S. to full-scale production of chemical and nerve-gas weapons. Though the U.S. maintained a public policy opposing chemical weapons, it extended financial and military assistance to Iraq in its war against Iran, despite its almost daily use of such weapons. Iraq had developed its "CW production capability, primarily from Western firms, including possible a U.S. foreign subsidiary." (From a memorandum to Secretary of State Alexander Haig)