Britain’s Cold War Human Chemical Warfare Experiments (234)

Cold War Conversations

Ian Foulkes was exposed to the deadly nerve agent Sarin in 1983 at the Porton Down Chemical & Biological Defence Establishment., one of the UK's most secretive and controversial military research facilities.

Ian describes in detail the process and the ill effects this caused him and shares details of a little-known fatality where 20-year-old Ronald Maddison died 45 minutes after what scientists thought was 200mg of liquid Sarin dripped onto his arm.

We also talk about the development of chemical weapons during the Cold War and the history of the Porton Down Chemical & Biological Defence Establishment.

Up to 20,000 people took part in various trials at Porton Down from 1949 up to 1989. In 2004 Maddison’s death was ruled to have been Corporate Manslaughter. The MoD withdrew a challenge to this ruling minutes before the hearing. In 2008 the MoD paid 600 veterans of the tests £8k each without admitting liability.

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0:00 Introduction and background of the 13th World Festival of Youth and Students

2:21 Interview with Greg Elma: The History and Politics of the Youth Festivals

9:15 Economic implications of North Korea's festival expenditures

12:06 The Canadian Delegation: Composition and Journey to Pyongyang

21:19 Festival Atmosphere and Experiences in North Korea

27:18 Delegates' Realizations and Long-Term Impact of the Festival

36:44 The Canadian Delegation's Response to Tiananmen Square

45:20 Reaction to the Film "The Canadian Delegation"

53:19 How to Access the Film on Vimeo and Future Plans

54:07 Ian Sanders' Closing Remarks and Cold War Conversations' Call to Action

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