[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 49 (Wednesday, April 23, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S3543]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                          RIOT CONTROL AGENTS

  Concerns were raised that the administration planned to amend 
Executive Order 11850 of 1975 to prohibit the use of tear gas in times 
of war to rescue downed pilots and to fend off attacks by combatants 
using civilians as human shields. Condition 26 has been added to lay 
this concern to rest.
  Pursuant to condition 26, the President is prohibited from taking any 
action to alter or eliminate Executive Order 11850 of 1975. In other 
words, all uses of tear gas by U.S. Armed Forces that are permitted 
today--including rescuing of downed pilots and against combatants when 
they use civilians to shield attacks--will continue to be permitted 
after the CWC enters into force.
  In addition, condition 26 makes clear that nearly all uses of riot 
control agents in peacekeeping operations will be permitted. The sole 
exception to that permission would be in the most unlikely case that 
the U.S. role in a peacekeeping operation reached such a military scope 
and duration that the laws of war would pertain to it.