On February 8, 1996, DoD removed 308 files claiming that the files must undergo rigorous review for classified information despite their earlier electronic publication. Under pressure from veterans groups and the raised visibility of front page coverage in the New York Times, DoD returned 82 of these files to the website on August 30, 1996. The rest of the missing GulfLINK files remained hidden behind vague claims of national security.

When Patrick G. Eddington, a former CIA analyst, submitted the manuscript for his book, Gassed in the Gulf to the CIA for review for classified information, as he was required to do, the CIA objected to his use of these Missing GulfLINK files. In response, Mr. Eddington filed a lawsuit, Eddington v. CIA, DIA, and, on October 30, 1996, Insignia Publishing posted these files on this World Wide Website. These actions forced the CIA and the Department of Defense to announce, on November 1, 1996, that they would repost the Missing GulfLINK files on the GulfLINK website.

ALL 308 of these files are republished here on this website. The files are presented here as they were on the GulfLINK website, prior to their removal in February, 1996. The cryptic file names make it difficult for first time perusers to navigate the collection, however, partial document titles are provided to provide some relief. Those files returned to the DoD GulfLINK website in August, 1996, are marked with an asterisk.

The GulfLINK files returned by CIA/DoD to the GulfLINK website ARE NOT exactly the same as they were when the files were originally posted. Mr. Eddington has examined and compared the two sets of files and his report on the results is available on this website.

Please follow this link and continues on to: The Missing GulfLINK Files.