CBR Weapons and WMD Terrorism News- June 30, 2008

National: Hospital CEOs Say Bioterrorism Plans are in Place
“According to a new survey conducted by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), 84 percent of hospital CEOs say that since Sept. 11, 2001, their hospitals have worked more closely with public agencies (e.g. fire, police and public health departments). ACHE asked more than 700 hospital CEOs throughout the country to report on the status of programs related to bioterrorism preparedness. Some 95 percent of respondents said their hospitals already have a bioterrorism disaster plan or will have one within 6 months.” (Advance for LPNs; 28June08)
http://lpn.advanceweb.com/editorial/content/editorial.aspx?CC=8321

Justice Dept. to pay scientist $5.8 million in anthrax lawsuit
“The former Army scientist who for years was the prime suspect in the deadly 2001 anthrax mailings agreed Friday to take $5.8 million from the Justice Department to settle his claim that the government invaded his privacy and ruined his career.” (Seattle Times; 28June08; Matt Apuzzo) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008022502_anthrax28.html

The Anthrax Fiasco [Opinion]
“Steven Hatfill finally has his life back. Thanks to FBI incompetence, he also has $5.8 million. In a late Friday news dump, the Justice Department announced it had settled a lawsuit with Mr. Hatfill, a former military scientist whom then-Attorney General John Ashcroft publicly identified in 2002 as a ‘person of interest’ in the investigation into the anthrax attacks in the aftermath of 9/11. Mr. Hatfill sued, claiming the FBI had libeled him in leaks to the media. Justice's mea culpa is a major embarrassment, exceeding even the Richard Jewell debacle.” (The Wall Street Journal; 30Jun08) http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121478249006714421.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Produce undergoes checks at every stop as it travels from Mexico to Texas
“Glenn Fry helps run Taylor Farms de Mexico's new $14 million plant here. He picked the land where it sits and designed just about every facet of it, down to the statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe at the entrance and the jacaranda and palm trees. […] By 4 p.m., two Taylor employees – one of them a bioterrorism specialist – check the truck that will carry the lettuce north. Employees look for tampering or secret compartments that can be used to smuggle weapons or drugs.” (Dallas News; 30June08; Alfredo Corchado)
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-producttaylor_30int.ART.State.Edition2.4da1e4e.html

FDA [Food and Drug Administration] Details Food Protection Plan
“Dr. David Acheson, associate commissioner for foods, was slated to be the main speaker, but due to the recent salmonella outbreak, was unable to attend. Kari Barrett, senior advisor with the FDA's office of food protection, spoke in his place. […] Barrett began the Webcast by explaining why the FDA decided to create the protection plan, which was released in November 2007. Due to changing demographics such as a rising population of high-risk individuals, more imports, new foodborne pathogens, and the potential risk of bioterrorism and intentional harm to food, the FDA, which is responsible for 80 percent of all food sold in the U.S., moved to strengthen its authority by gaining more control over more products in order to better protect consumers.” (QSR Magazine; 30June08)
http://www.qsrmagazine.com/articles/news/story.phtml?id=6849

U.S. to fund Czech armament industry due to radar base
“The United States is to offer dozens of millions of crowns (1 U.S. dollar equals 15.241 crowns) to fund scientific research in the Czech Republic, mainly in the armament industry, as part of the radar base talks between the two countries, a Czech newspaper reported Monday. The United States is mostly interested in cooperation with the Czech Republic in fields such as nano-technology, biotechnology, robotics and defense against biological weapons, the daily Hospodarske Noviny quoted Vladimir Marik, head of the Department of Cybernetics at Prague's Technical University, as saying.”
(Xinhuanet; 30June08)
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-06/30/content_8466226.htm

EPA to Propose Fort Detrick as Superfund Cleanup Site
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will propose Frederick's Fort Detrick as a possible Superfund site, a move that would give that agency oversight of the U.S. Army's cleanup of chemical-laced groundwater, officials said.” (Washington Post; 29June08; David A. Fahrenthold) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/28/AR2008062801939.html

Doctors fear for woman in coma since '94 Aum [Shinrikyo] attack
“The condition of a woman who has been in a coma since she was seriously affected by the 1994 nerve gas attack carried out by the Aum Supreme Truth cult in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, has worsened, her husband said. Friday was the 14th anniversary of the sarin gas attack that killed seven residents and sickened several hundred in the prefecture on June 27, 1994.” (The Yomiuri Shimbun; 29June08) http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20080629dy0b.htm

North Korea Destroys Tower at Nuclear Site
“In a gesture demonstrating its commitment to halt its nuclear weapons program, North Korea blew up the most prominent symbol of its plutonium production Friday. […] Almost simultaneously, President Bush announced that Washington was removing North Korea from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism […]” (New York Times; 28Jun08; Choe Sang-Hun) http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/28/world/asia/28korea.html?hp

Envoy: Iran, Japan are victims of chemical and atomic bombs
“Iran and Japan are two victims of weapons of mass destruction in the world, Iran's ambassador to Japan said on Friday. In a press conference marking the 20th anniversary of chemical attack on the city of Sardasht in western Iran by the Saddam regime, Abas Araqchi said Iran is the victim of chemical weapons and Japan is the victim of nuclear bombs.” (Tehran Times; 29June08)
http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=171885

WMD inspector to speak at PAG [Positive Action Group] meeting
“Iraq - Evidence Evaded? That’s the question which will be posed and debated by renowned international weapons inspector Hamish Killip on Tuesday. He will be the guest of the Positive Action Group at its final public meeting before the summer.” (Manx Radio; 30June08) http://www.manxradio.com/readNEwsItem.aspx?id=22400

New gas mask kits to be issued in January
“Israelis will receive renovated gas mask kits in January, Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilna'i announced on Sunday. But before then, Israel could find itself under attack without the means to protect its civilians, said Yuval Steinitz, chairman of the Knesset Subcommittee for Security Perception.” (The Jerusalem Post; 30June08; Yaakov Lappin) http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1214726154340&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Japan, U.S., Australia pledge close strategic partnership
“Top diplomats of Japan, the United States and Australia undertook Friday to work in close strategic partnership to boost stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region as well as the world at large. […] During the talks, the three ministers underscored the importance of promoting trilateral cooperation to ensure peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region as it is faced with a wide range of challenges, including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and natural disasters.” (Mathaba News Agency; 30June08)
http://mathaba.net/news/?x=596825

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.