CBR Weapons and WMD Terrorism News- July 4, 2008

Will [County, Illinois] prepared for bioterrorism?
“The Will County Health Department received one of the highest scores possible during its 2007-2008 Public Health Emergency Local Technical Assistance Review. Will County's Bioterrorism Preparedness Program, specifically the Pharmaceutical Distribution Plan, earned 99 percent out of a possible 100 percent after a review conducted by the Illinois Department of Public Health.” (The Herald News; 03July08) http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/1037620,4_1_JO03_HEALTH_S1.article

Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing
“The invention is a composition and method for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of tularemia caused by Francisella tularensis comprised of Cationic Liposome DNA Complexes (CLDC) complexed with noncoding DNA and membrane antigens isolated from F. tularensis strain LVS (MPF). F. tularensis is category A pathogen (as designated by the NIH) that was previously weaponized by both the former Soviet Union and the United States of America and is currently a potential bioweapon and bioterrorism threat. Furthermore, tularemia is endemic to the U.S. (majority of the cases occurring in the Midwest) and Europe.” (Trading Markets; 03July08) http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1733701/

Report: Weapons can’t be destroyed by 2017
“Transporting chemical weapons from the Blue Grass Army Depot to Arkansas and Alabama, as well as halting construction plans for the weapons disposal facility, are just a few among many alternatives the Department of Defense (DOD) has offered to help speed up the process of destroying America’s remaining chemical warfare.” (Richmond Register; 03July08; Ronica Shannon) http://www.richmondregister.com/localnews/local_story_185080545.html

PB [Pine Bluff] Arsenal to get more to destroy?
“The Pentagon has drafted a plan to send more of its chemical weapon stockpile to the Pine Bluff Arsenal and three additional disposal sites to meet a 2017 deadline to destroy lethal chemical agents and munitions.”
(Arkansas Democrat; 03July08; Mike Linn) http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/230358/

Immune Buildings’ Designed to Combat Chemical Warfare and Diseases
“Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) [Canada] have opened a new engineering lab to design a ventilation system that could protect schools, hospitals, and other public buildings from chemical warfare and bioterrorist attacks. ‘Think of it as a complex fire alarm for industrial chemical spills, airborne diseases, and biological warfare strikes on vulnerable public spaces,’ says engineering dean and lead researcher Janusz Kozinski.” (NewsWise; 03July08) http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542328/

Thompson veterans bill prompts hearing
“Legislation introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena to help veterans who were unknowingly tested with chemical and biological weapons in the 1960s and ‘70s, recently prompted a House of Representatives subcommittee meeting. […] In a statement, Thompson said he hopes the hearing will ultimately push his bill toward consideration by the House.” (The St. Helena Star; 03July08)
http://www.sthelenastar.com/articles/2008/07/03/news/local/doc486bebb0537f1480731104.txt

U.S. Issues Broad Threat to WMD Accomplices
“Serious consequences await those that aid terrorists in acquiring or using unconventional weapons under a new policy that national security adviser Stephen Hadley has broadcast. The Bush administration, however, is not clarifying whether the punishment could include U.S. nuclear weapons use, an ambiguity that suits some experts but troubles others. Speaking May 28 to representatives of some 80 governments attending a Washington meeting on curbing the spread of unconventional arms, Hadley noted that the United States for many years has maintained that any state that employs biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons, often referred to collectively as weapons of mass destruction (WMD), against the United States, its forces, or friends and allies could face U.S. retaliation with ‘overwhelming force.’” (Arms Control Association; 02July08; Wade Boese) http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2008_07-08/WMD.asp

GAO: First Responders' Detection of Hazardous Releases Inadequate
“More than six years after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, local first responders do not have tools to accurately and quickly identify the release of chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear materials in an urban environment, according to a new report issued by the Government Accountability Office, GAO, the investigative branch of Congress.” (Environmental News Service; 03July08) http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jul2008/2008-07-03-092.asp

NYPD Unveils $1 Million Anti-Terror Patrol Boats
“Just in time for the Fourth of July, the NYPD is dramatically stepping up its war against seaborne terrorist threats. CBS 2 HD went along on one of the first patrols of the new vessel for an exclusive look at this new and important way to help keep the city safe.” (WCBS TV; 04July08; ChrisWragge)
http://wcbstv.com/technology/tracs.boat.nypd.2.763644.html

Terror suspect out on bail seven years after arrest
“An alleged al-Qaeda operative said to have ‘direct links’ with Osama bin Laden was released on bail from a top-security jail. The Algerian man, identified only as U, left Long Lartin prison in Worcestershire after spending more than seven years in jail fighting extradition and deportation. His release came two weeks after the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) granted bail to the radical preacher Abu Qatada. A third terror suspect, who was cleared of conspiracy to murder in the ‘ricin plot’ trial in 2005, is negotiating for his release on bail.”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article4265640.ece

CNS ChemBio-WMD Terrorism News is prepared by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in order to bring timely and focused information to researchers and policymakers interested in the fields of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons nonproliferation and WMD terrorism.