By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 22, 2008 - The absence of new terrorist attacks on the United States since 9/11 reflects the success of the nation's anti-terror programs and policies, Vice President Richard B. Cheney said yesterday on the "Fox News Sunday" television show. "I think the fact that we were able to protect the nation against further attacks from al-Qaida for seven and a half years is a remarkable achievement," Cheney told interviewer Chris Wallace.
The United States has avoided repetition of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and thwarted follow-on plots directed against other municipalities such as Los Angeles and Chicago, Cheney said, by implementing homeland-defense initiatives, including the terrorist surveillance program, and launching overseas U.S. military operations targeting militants in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Cheney listed some terrorist attacks around the world that followed 9/11:
-- Bombings targeting popular nightclubs on the Indonesian island of Bali in October 2002 killed more than 200 people and injured more than 200.
-- Bombings on commuter trains in Madrid, Spain, in March 2004 killed nearly 200 people and injured nearly 2,000.
-- Suicide bombings targeting London subways and buses in July 2005 killed more than 50 people and injured hundreds.
-- Terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, conducted last month killed more than 150 people and injured hundreds.
"The threat's still out there, and still [is] very real," Cheney said.
To protect America against another terrorist attack, Cheney said, the U.S. government "had to adopt some unpopular policies that have been widely criticized" in recent years.
As the commander in chief of the armed forces, President George W. Bush was compelled and authorized to establish a terror surveillance program that would be used "to intercept the communications of people who are communicating with terrorists outside the United States," Cheney said.
The surveillance program, in conjunction with detentions and interrogations of high-value detainees, has "provided invaluable intelligence, which has been the key to our ability to defeat al-Qaida over these last seven years," Cheney said. Senior-level congressional leaders, he said, were briefed and consulted about the domestic surveillance program, which could involve federal officials listening in on citizens' calls to overseas locales.
It's also necessary for U.S. officials to employ "a robust interrogation program with respect to high-value detainees," Cheney said.
The Geneva Conventions do not apply to enemy combatants seized during the war against global terrorism, Cheney said. Terrorists do not adhere to the laws of war and should therefore be held for the duration of the conflict, he said, noting the terrorists didn't wear uniforms, didn't represent a nation-state, and had "spent all their time trying to kill civilians."
Cheney acknowledged that some of the president's anti-terror programs have touched off sometimes heated public debate over their use.
"But I think that what we've done has been totally consistent with what the Constitution provides for," the vice president said.
Regarding the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden, Cheney told Wallace that the fugitive al-Qaida chieftain apparently has "been holed up in a way where he's not even been communicating." Officials believe bin Laden is hiding somewhere in a remote region of eastern Afghanistan or western Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the United States and its allies have had "major success" against al-Qaida, Cheney said.
"We've captured or killed a lot of al-Qaida members, and, as I say, we've prevented further attacks against the United States," Cheney said. "That's probably the most-important objective."
Showing posts with label los angeles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label los angeles. Show all posts
Monday, December 22, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Overseas U.S. Military Operations Make America Safer, Bush Says
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 17, 2008 - Military operations launched in Afghanistan and Iraq after 9/11 brought the fight to terrorists and, with other initiatives, are helping to safeguard America against another attack, President George W. Bush told Military and civilian students at the Army War College today. The Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States revealed gaps in the nation's homeland security system and intelligence-gathering network, said Bush, who traveled to Carlisle, Pa., to address members of the college's class of 2009. The school prepares selected senior officers and civilians for increased rank and responsibilities.
"So, we launched the largest reorganization of the federal government since the beginning of the Cold War, with one overriding purpose, and that was to prevent new attacks," Bush said.
The U.S. Department of homeland security was established as part of the reorganization, Bush said, as well as the National Counterterrorism Center, which works with 16 different federal agencies to track any new terrorist threat.
However, that still wasn't enough, Bush said.
"Secondly, we recognized that even with the best defenses, we could not afford to wait for the terrorists to attack again," Bush said. "So, we launched a global campaign to take the fight to the terrorists abroad, to dismantle their networks, to dry up their financing and find their leaders and bring them to justice."
The message, Bush said, is "America will make no distinction between terrorists and those who harbor them." Soon after 9/11, he said, the militant Islamic fundamentalists known as the Taliban, who ruled Afghanistan at the time and were allowing terrorists to operate on their soil, were told to turn over the al-Qaida leaders who had plotted the attack.
Bush said the Taliban's leaders refused to cooperate.
So, when the Taliban "made their choice, we made ours," Bush said. "We removed the Taliban from power, we shut down the terrorist training camps, and we liberated more than 25 million Afghans."
The terrorist attacks on America also caused U.S. leaders to re-examine the situation in Iraq, then under the iron rule of dictator Saddam Hussein, Bush said. Under Saddam, he said, Iraq had supported terrorists, developed and used weapons of mass destruction, threatened its neighbors, committed routine attacks on American forces and violated U.N. resolutions.
"I concluded that the world could not tolerate such a destabilizing and dangerous force in the heart of the Middle East," Bush said. "I offered Saddam Hussein a final chance to resolve the issue peacefully."
Saddam, just as the Taliban had, refused to cooperate, Bush said, and so, "we acted with a coalition of nations to protect our people and liberate 25 million Iraqis."
Bush said he also realized that America needed "to counter the terrorists' hateful ideology with a more hopeful alternative based on liberty and justice" to win the war on terrorism.
"So, after removing the threatening regimes in Afghanistan and Iraq, we refused to take the easy course of trading one strongman for another," Bush said. "Instead, we stayed to help young democracies emerge as beacons for hope for people across the Middle East, and increased our support for democratic reformers and dissidents around the world."
Bush said people can debate the decisions he has made as president. Yet, there's no question, he said, that America has been kept safe following 9/11.
"Here at home, we've prevented numerous terrorist attacks, including a plot to blow up fuel tanks at JFK [International] airport [in New York], a plot to blow up airliners bound for the East Coast, a scheme to attack a shopping mall in the Chicago area, and a plan to destroy the tallest skyscraper in Los Angeles," Bush said.
No one knows how many lives have been saved by the thwarting of those terrorist plots, Bush said. What's certain, he said, is there has not been another terrorist attack on the American homeland since Sept. 11, 2001.
Meanwhile, America and its allies are driving terrorists from their safe havens and severely disrupting their operations and financial networks, Bush said.
Hundreds of al-Qaida's leaders have been killed or captured during worldwide anti-terror operations, Bush said, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the architect of the 9/11 attacks.
Thanks to the surge of forces in Iraq, Bush said, U.S., coalition and Iraq forces have "delivered a devastating blow to al-Qaida, in the land Osama bin Laden once called the central battleground in the war on terror."
Millions of Afghan and Iraqi citizens today now vote for their political leaders during free, democratic elections, Bush said.
Citizens worldwide in countries like Liberia, Lebanon, Georgia and Ukraine "have taken to the streets to cast off the chains of tyranny and demand their God-given right for freedom," Bush said. Today, he noted, more people live in freedom than at any other time in human history.
Yet, the global war against terrorism "will be a generational conflict" that will continue long after his presidency ends, Bush said. However, he added, his administration leaves behind the institutions and tools the United States needs to prevail.
FBI agents are focused now on thwarting any terrorist threats against the homeland, Bush said. In addition, he said, the Treasury Department is involved in shutting down terrorist financial conduits, human intelligence gathering capabilities have improved at the CIA, and the National Security Agency has expanded operations to monitor terrorist communications.
Additionally, new Military technologies and resources are being employed to keep the pressure on the enemy, Bush said.
"With weapons like the Predator drone in our arsenal, our troops can conduct precision strikes on terrorists in hard-to-reach areas while sparing innocent life," Bush pointed out. The Predator is an unmanned aircraft system.
Meanwhile, senior Military and civilian students at places like the War College "are studying new counterinsurgency and counterterrorism strategies," Bush said. Future presidents, he said, will benefit from what these students have learned.
Today, a coalition of more than 90 nations is committed to combating terror and sharing intelligence, Bush said. This coalition, he said, includes Saudi Arabia, a country that produced many of the 9/11 hijackers and now serves as a staunch U.S. ally in the war on terror.
Other U.S.-sponsored initiatives, Bush said, seek to reduce the number of nuclear arms in the world as well as preventing terrorists from obtaining and using weapons of mass destruction.
Ongoing programs such as the provincial reconstruction teams in Afghanistan and Iraq help to change the conditions of suffering and hopelessness that give rise to extremism and terror, Bush said, and millions of Africans are receiving medical aid through the U.S. Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief program.
The 9/11 attacks on America, Bush said, determined the course of his presidency.
"That day defined my presidency," Bush said, adding it also "changed the course of history."
While the path ahead cannot be known for sure, Bush said, America and its allies "can be confident in the destination: a world where the American people are safe and children around the world grow up with hope and peace."
Freedom is a universal human desire, Bush said, as well as a gift bestowed by God.
Americans can feel confident about their future, he said, because "we're blessed with men and women who willingly put the welfare of their nation before themselves."
"As long as we have defenders of such character and courage, our nation will always be in good hands," Bush continued, "and the future will always be bright."
Dec. 17, 2008 - Military operations launched in Afghanistan and Iraq after 9/11 brought the fight to terrorists and, with other initiatives, are helping to safeguard America against another attack, President George W. Bush told Military and civilian students at the Army War College today. The Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States revealed gaps in the nation's homeland security system and intelligence-gathering network, said Bush, who traveled to Carlisle, Pa., to address members of the college's class of 2009. The school prepares selected senior officers and civilians for increased rank and responsibilities.
"So, we launched the largest reorganization of the federal government since the beginning of the Cold War, with one overriding purpose, and that was to prevent new attacks," Bush said.
The U.S. Department of homeland security was established as part of the reorganization, Bush said, as well as the National Counterterrorism Center, which works with 16 different federal agencies to track any new terrorist threat.
However, that still wasn't enough, Bush said.
"Secondly, we recognized that even with the best defenses, we could not afford to wait for the terrorists to attack again," Bush said. "So, we launched a global campaign to take the fight to the terrorists abroad, to dismantle their networks, to dry up their financing and find their leaders and bring them to justice."
The message, Bush said, is "America will make no distinction between terrorists and those who harbor them." Soon after 9/11, he said, the militant Islamic fundamentalists known as the Taliban, who ruled Afghanistan at the time and were allowing terrorists to operate on their soil, were told to turn over the al-Qaida leaders who had plotted the attack.
Bush said the Taliban's leaders refused to cooperate.
So, when the Taliban "made their choice, we made ours," Bush said. "We removed the Taliban from power, we shut down the terrorist training camps, and we liberated more than 25 million Afghans."
The terrorist attacks on America also caused U.S. leaders to re-examine the situation in Iraq, then under the iron rule of dictator Saddam Hussein, Bush said. Under Saddam, he said, Iraq had supported terrorists, developed and used weapons of mass destruction, threatened its neighbors, committed routine attacks on American forces and violated U.N. resolutions.
"I concluded that the world could not tolerate such a destabilizing and dangerous force in the heart of the Middle East," Bush said. "I offered Saddam Hussein a final chance to resolve the issue peacefully."
Saddam, just as the Taliban had, refused to cooperate, Bush said, and so, "we acted with a coalition of nations to protect our people and liberate 25 million Iraqis."
Bush said he also realized that America needed "to counter the terrorists' hateful ideology with a more hopeful alternative based on liberty and justice" to win the war on terrorism.
"So, after removing the threatening regimes in Afghanistan and Iraq, we refused to take the easy course of trading one strongman for another," Bush said. "Instead, we stayed to help young democracies emerge as beacons for hope for people across the Middle East, and increased our support for democratic reformers and dissidents around the world."
Bush said people can debate the decisions he has made as president. Yet, there's no question, he said, that America has been kept safe following 9/11.
"Here at home, we've prevented numerous terrorist attacks, including a plot to blow up fuel tanks at JFK [International] airport [in New York], a plot to blow up airliners bound for the East Coast, a scheme to attack a shopping mall in the Chicago area, and a plan to destroy the tallest skyscraper in Los Angeles," Bush said.
No one knows how many lives have been saved by the thwarting of those terrorist plots, Bush said. What's certain, he said, is there has not been another terrorist attack on the American homeland since Sept. 11, 2001.
Meanwhile, America and its allies are driving terrorists from their safe havens and severely disrupting their operations and financial networks, Bush said.
Hundreds of al-Qaida's leaders have been killed or captured during worldwide anti-terror operations, Bush said, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the architect of the 9/11 attacks.
Thanks to the surge of forces in Iraq, Bush said, U.S., coalition and Iraq forces have "delivered a devastating blow to al-Qaida, in the land Osama bin Laden once called the central battleground in the war on terror."
Millions of Afghan and Iraqi citizens today now vote for their political leaders during free, democratic elections, Bush said.
Citizens worldwide in countries like Liberia, Lebanon, Georgia and Ukraine "have taken to the streets to cast off the chains of tyranny and demand their God-given right for freedom," Bush said. Today, he noted, more people live in freedom than at any other time in human history.
Yet, the global war against terrorism "will be a generational conflict" that will continue long after his presidency ends, Bush said. However, he added, his administration leaves behind the institutions and tools the United States needs to prevail.
FBI agents are focused now on thwarting any terrorist threats against the homeland, Bush said. In addition, he said, the Treasury Department is involved in shutting down terrorist financial conduits, human intelligence gathering capabilities have improved at the CIA, and the National Security Agency has expanded operations to monitor terrorist communications.
Additionally, new Military technologies and resources are being employed to keep the pressure on the enemy, Bush said.
"With weapons like the Predator drone in our arsenal, our troops can conduct precision strikes on terrorists in hard-to-reach areas while sparing innocent life," Bush pointed out. The Predator is an unmanned aircraft system.
Meanwhile, senior Military and civilian students at places like the War College "are studying new counterinsurgency and counterterrorism strategies," Bush said. Future presidents, he said, will benefit from what these students have learned.
Today, a coalition of more than 90 nations is committed to combating terror and sharing intelligence, Bush said. This coalition, he said, includes Saudi Arabia, a country that produced many of the 9/11 hijackers and now serves as a staunch U.S. ally in the war on terror.
Other U.S.-sponsored initiatives, Bush said, seek to reduce the number of nuclear arms in the world as well as preventing terrorists from obtaining and using weapons of mass destruction.
Ongoing programs such as the provincial reconstruction teams in Afghanistan and Iraq help to change the conditions of suffering and hopelessness that give rise to extremism and terror, Bush said, and millions of Africans are receiving medical aid through the U.S. Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief program.
The 9/11 attacks on America, Bush said, determined the course of his presidency.
"That day defined my presidency," Bush said, adding it also "changed the course of history."
While the path ahead cannot be known for sure, Bush said, America and its allies "can be confident in the destination: a world where the American people are safe and children around the world grow up with hope and peace."
Freedom is a universal human desire, Bush said, as well as a gift bestowed by God.
Americans can feel confident about their future, he said, because "we're blessed with men and women who willingly put the welfare of their nation before themselves."
"As long as we have defenders of such character and courage, our nation will always be in good hands," Bush continued, "and the future will always be bright."
Friday, December 12, 2008
Emergency Response Units Won't Perform Law Enforcement, Official Says
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 12, 2008 - The Pentagon's three new rapid-response task forces will assist civil authorities during possible terrorist attacks or natural disasters, but they won't perform law enforcement missions, a senior Defense Department official said here yesterday. Some people have surfaced concerns that active-duty soldiers, who make up the core of the first 4,700-member joint task force established in early October, could be used to perform police functions, which would be in violation of the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act, Paul McHale, assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and Americas' security affairs, told American Forces Press Service and Pentagon Channel reporters.
The Posse Comitatus Act prohibits active-duty military members from conducting domestic law enforcement operations.
"None of that is true," McHale said of public assertions that active-duty troops assigned to the task force will perform police duties. Instead, he said, the rapid-response units are "task-organized to deal with the technical and very challenging requirements associated with a contaminated environment."
The task force cited in public discussion, McHale said, was established Oct. 1 and is built around a core of active-duty soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team, based at Fort Stewart, Ga. This task force, he said, falls under the control of U.S. Northern Command's Joint Force Land Component Command, U.S. Army North, in San Antonio.
Each task force will be capable of performing tasks such as medical response, decontamination, technical rescue, patient evacuation, and communications and logistics support, including air and land transportation assets for transport of supplies, people and equipment, according to U.S. Army North documents.
Plans are to stand up two more new joint task forces in 2010 and 2011, respectively, McHale said. These units, he said, will comprise mostly reserve-component personnel, mainly National Guard troops.
The new task forces would be ordered into action by the president following requests for disaster-relief assistance from state governors, McHale said.
In the event of civil disturbances and some other types of emergencies, McHale said, active U.S. military units could be ordered by the president to assist civil authorities establish order as part of the Garden Plot domestic security plan.
"There are [active] military units that are prepared, under law, to ensure constitutional rights and the enforcement of federal law, under the Insurrection Act, to be deployed for a domestic security mission," McHale said.
The last time Garden Plot was activated, McHale said, was to restore order during the 1992 Los Angeles riots that followed the trial and acquittal of some local police officers who had been charged with the beating of Rodney King. Federal troops also were employed during the 1950s and 1960s, he said, to ensure the civil rights of African-American citizens.
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 12, 2008 - The Pentagon's three new rapid-response task forces will assist civil authorities during possible terrorist attacks or natural disasters, but they won't perform law enforcement missions, a senior Defense Department official said here yesterday. Some people have surfaced concerns that active-duty soldiers, who make up the core of the first 4,700-member joint task force established in early October, could be used to perform police functions, which would be in violation of the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act, Paul McHale, assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and Americas' security affairs, told American Forces Press Service and Pentagon Channel reporters.
The Posse Comitatus Act prohibits active-duty military members from conducting domestic law enforcement operations.
"None of that is true," McHale said of public assertions that active-duty troops assigned to the task force will perform police duties. Instead, he said, the rapid-response units are "task-organized to deal with the technical and very challenging requirements associated with a contaminated environment."
The task force cited in public discussion, McHale said, was established Oct. 1 and is built around a core of active-duty soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team, based at Fort Stewart, Ga. This task force, he said, falls under the control of U.S. Northern Command's Joint Force Land Component Command, U.S. Army North, in San Antonio.
Each task force will be capable of performing tasks such as medical response, decontamination, technical rescue, patient evacuation, and communications and logistics support, including air and land transportation assets for transport of supplies, people and equipment, according to U.S. Army North documents.
Plans are to stand up two more new joint task forces in 2010 and 2011, respectively, McHale said. These units, he said, will comprise mostly reserve-component personnel, mainly National Guard troops.
The new task forces would be ordered into action by the president following requests for disaster-relief assistance from state governors, McHale said.
In the event of civil disturbances and some other types of emergencies, McHale said, active U.S. military units could be ordered by the president to assist civil authorities establish order as part of the Garden Plot domestic security plan.
"There are [active] military units that are prepared, under law, to ensure constitutional rights and the enforcement of federal law, under the Insurrection Act, to be deployed for a domestic security mission," McHale said.
The last time Garden Plot was activated, McHale said, was to restore order during the 1992 Los Angeles riots that followed the trial and acquittal of some local police officers who had been charged with the beating of Rodney King. Federal troops also were employed during the 1950s and 1960s, he said, to ensure the civil rights of African-American citizens.
Monday, December 01, 2008
CBR Weapons and WMD Terrorism News- December 1, 2008
Bioterrorism: global depression warning
“A lack of transnational cooperation on biosecurity and pandemic disease control could tip the world into the largest economic crisis of the last 100 years, a report said on Thursday. The commission on national security from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said bioterrorism or a serious disease outbreak could send the global economy from a ‘serious recession into a global depression.’ The IPPR security commission, chaired by Lord George Robertson former defence secretary and secretary general of NATO, and Lord Paddy Ashdown, former leader of the Liberal Democrats and high representative to Bosnia, said global arrangements to prepare, detect and respond to bioterrorism or disease outbreaks are inadequate.” (In The News; 27Nov08; Source: Institute for Public Policy Research) http://www.inthenews.co.uk/news/autocodes/countries/bosnia-and-herzegovina/bioterrorism-global-depression-warning-$1251616.htm
Depot chemical weapons disposal delayed [KY]
“An Army official overseeing the disposal of chemical weapons in Kentucky says the project is again running behind schedule and now may not even begin until 2021, four years after a deadline Congress set for completion. […] Kevin Flamm, manager of the Defense Department's Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives program, said Tuesday that another delay is necessary partly because of increased construction costs and a redesign of a building at Blue Grass Army Depot near Richmond where the deadly Cold War-era munitions are to be neutralized and destroyed. […] The Richmond stockpile is more complicated […] because it contains VX, GB and mustard agent. An emergency operation is under way to destroy three steel containers, one of which leaked sarin last year. Flamm said that effort had nothing to do with the delays at the larger stockpile.” (Associated Press; 27Nov08; Jeffrey McMurray)
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20081127/NEWS01/811270648/1008/NEWS01
Russian chemical plant completes destruction of [VX] nerve agent
“A Russian chemical weapons disposal facility has completed the destruction of VX nerve agent, a regional government official said on Monday. VX nerve agent is one of the most toxic substances ever developed. A tiny amount of VX is fatal, and death usually occurs within an hour of exposure. Mikhail Manin, a department head in the Kirov region government, said that as of December 1, more than 4,500 tons of toxic agents (a total of 23,473 chemical weapons) were destroyed at the Maradykovsky chemical plant. However, he did not say what proportion the nerve agent constituted of the total amount. […] The country is to destroy all its declared arsenal of 40,000 metric tons of chemical weapons by 2012.” (RIA Novosti; 01Dec08) http://en.rian.ru/russia/20081201/118632753.html
Some vindication for sick [Gulf War] vets, but little relief
“A high-profile advisory panel to Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake earlier this month affirmed research showing that a collection of symptoms commonly known as Gulf War illnesses are real and require treatment. The country has a national obligation to help them, the panel concluded. The report, however, also noted a sad reality: Of the $340 million in government funds spent to research the topic, little has focused on finding treatments. And, researchers said, the estimated 175,000-210,000 Gulf veterans who are sick aren't getting any better. […] Compounding the problem was the complexity of the symptoms and uncertainty over the causes. Were they caused by combat stress? Was it vaccinations? Was it pills given to protect soldiers from nerve agents? Was it exposure to oil well fires or chemical weapons? Or a combination of factors?” (USA Today; 01Dec08; Steve Jahnke; Source: Associated Press) http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-12-01-gulf-war-syndrome_N.htm
Lebanon signs up to treaty banning chemical weapons
“Lebanon on Friday signed legal documents which will see it become the 185th signatory to the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention within 30 days. […] OPCW Director-General Rogelio Pfirter said the convention's founding goal of a universal ban on chemical weapons was coming closer, adding: ‘We call upon those 10 remaining states that have not yet adhered to the CWC to do so without delay.’ Pfirter said in April he had high hopes of Lebanon and Iraq signing up to the treaty in the near future. Three other states in the Middle East -- Israel, Egypt and Syria -- have also still to engage, as has North Korea. Later deadlines for the destruction of stockpiles have been accorded to major producers such as the United States and Russia (2012) or Libya (2011). The OPCW has conducted over 3,000 inspections in 80 member states since its formation.” (AFP; 28Nov08) http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iNSj-Hx68bU1EPcDzCXPEQs3aHDQ
His [Astrophysicist Jim Ryan’s] bomb detector is out of this world [MA]
“[Astrophysicist Jim] Ryan, 61, was invited to a National Guard exercise on Cape Cod to watch a mock cleanup of a terrorist site filled with the material for dirty bombs […]. As Guardsmen combed the booby-trapped house with hand-held sensors, a light bulb went off in Ryan's head. ‘We detect radioactive aluminum from across the galaxy,’ he said, so ‘I knew we should be able to detect it from across the street.’ […] As he stood on Cape Cod at the dirty bomb drill, watching the National Guard play a game of warmer/colder with their hand-held instruments, he realized that some of the spare parts from the Compton [Gamma Ray] Observatory could be used to pinpoint the location of the dirty bomb material with much greater accuracy than traditional Geiger counters and spectrometers, and from a safer distance.” (Boston Globe; 01Dec08; Billy Baker) http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2008/12/01/his_bomb_detector_is_out_of_this_world/
Customs, ports screen for bomb in a box
“Just as fears of a ‘dirty bomb’ coming through the Port of Los Angeles or the Port of Long Beach have increased since the 9/11 attacks on the U.S., so has the available technology that can detect those bombs, said Capt. John Schrinner, Security Chief for McAllister Tug and one of three panelists at the ‘Bomb in a Box’ panel at the recent Maritime Security Expo in Long Beach. As of December 2006, 100 percent of all containers entering the San Pedro ports have been screened for radiation with some of that new technology, a process that was put into motion in response to 9/11. Of the 2,000 to 3,000 containerized shipments screened daily at the San Pedro Bay ports, anywhere from 300 to 600 shipments set off radiation alarms - most of which are triggered by things that are supposed to give off a certain amount of radiation, such as TV sets, porcelain and tile. Nonetheless, each alarm has to be checked out and adjudicated, according to Kevin Weeks of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency.” (The Cunnigham Report; 30Nov08)
http://www.cunninghamreport.com/news_item.php?id=618
Nuclear waste piles up in state [PA]
“The Beaver Valley Power Station in Shippingport [PA] could run out of space for its low-level radioactive waste in two to five years. […] Pennsylvania does not have a disposal site or plans to build one […] because generators could send the waste out of state. Yet, […] facilities in Pennsylvania and neighboring West Virginia, Maryland and Delaware […] could start to run out of storage space by 2013 […]. With the waste scattered at sites across the United States rather than in one central depository, some critics fear it is more vulnerable to terrorism and could be used to build a ‘dirty’ bomb, an explosive device that spreads radioactive material. Security experts and regulators said that's not likely because even small amounts of radioactive material are highly controlled and tracked.” (Pittsburgh Live; 28Nov08; Andrew Conte; Source: Tribune Review)
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/mostread/s_600513.html
Claflin [University] [SC] research seeks easy way to detect [biochem] threats
“Claflin University researchers will soon begin developing a thin strip of paper that can detect the presence of biological outbreaks and chemical weapons. ‘The project has enormous implications for national security,’ Claflin biology professor Dr. Omar Bagasra said. The paper strip will act much like a pregnancy test. The idea is the paper strip will turn a specific color to signal a particular hazard. For example, if Sarin gas is released in an area, the paper would turn green. […] [Claflin chemistry professor Dr. Muthukrishna] Raja said the project’s primary goal is to train students and give them a segue into a career in national security. Select students, between five and 10 per year, will work with the facsimiles to perfect the detection strip and hopefully create the framework for antidotes.” (Times & Democrat; 01Dec08; Lee Tant) http://www.thetandd.com/articles/2008/12/01/news/doc493375986b350239173536.txt
Panel [Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and terrorism] fears use of unconventional weapon
“An independent commission has concluded that terrorists will most likely carry out an attack with biological, nuclear or other unconventional weapons somewhere in the world in the next five years unless the United States and its allies act urgently to prevent that. […] ‘Were one to map terrorism and weapons of mass destruction today, all roads would intersect in Pakistan,’ the report states […]. The report is the result of a six-month study by the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and terrorism, which Congress created last spring in keeping with one of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. […] The panel’s 13 recommendations focus on fighting the threat of bioterrorism, including improved bioforensic capabilities, and strengthening international organizations, like the International Atomic Energy Agency, to address the nuclear threat. It also calls for a comprehensive approach for dealing with Pakistan.” (The New York Times; 01Dec08; Eric Schmitt) http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/01/washington/01bioterror.html?ref=world
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.
“A lack of transnational cooperation on biosecurity and pandemic disease control could tip the world into the largest economic crisis of the last 100 years, a report said on Thursday. The commission on national security from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said bioterrorism or a serious disease outbreak could send the global economy from a ‘serious recession into a global depression.’ The IPPR security commission, chaired by Lord George Robertson former defence secretary and secretary general of NATO, and Lord Paddy Ashdown, former leader of the Liberal Democrats and high representative to Bosnia, said global arrangements to prepare, detect and respond to bioterrorism or disease outbreaks are inadequate.” (In The News; 27Nov08; Source: Institute for Public Policy Research) http://www.inthenews.co.uk/news/autocodes/countries/bosnia-and-herzegovina/bioterrorism-global-depression-warning-$1251616.htm
Depot chemical weapons disposal delayed [KY]
“An Army official overseeing the disposal of chemical weapons in Kentucky says the project is again running behind schedule and now may not even begin until 2021, four years after a deadline Congress set for completion. […] Kevin Flamm, manager of the Defense Department's Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives program, said Tuesday that another delay is necessary partly because of increased construction costs and a redesign of a building at Blue Grass Army Depot near Richmond where the deadly Cold War-era munitions are to be neutralized and destroyed. […] The Richmond stockpile is more complicated […] because it contains VX, GB and mustard agent. An emergency operation is under way to destroy three steel containers, one of which leaked sarin last year. Flamm said that effort had nothing to do with the delays at the larger stockpile.” (Associated Press; 27Nov08; Jeffrey McMurray)
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20081127/NEWS01/811270648/1008/NEWS01
Russian chemical plant completes destruction of [VX] nerve agent
“A Russian chemical weapons disposal facility has completed the destruction of VX nerve agent, a regional government official said on Monday. VX nerve agent is one of the most toxic substances ever developed. A tiny amount of VX is fatal, and death usually occurs within an hour of exposure. Mikhail Manin, a department head in the Kirov region government, said that as of December 1, more than 4,500 tons of toxic agents (a total of 23,473 chemical weapons) were destroyed at the Maradykovsky chemical plant. However, he did not say what proportion the nerve agent constituted of the total amount. […] The country is to destroy all its declared arsenal of 40,000 metric tons of chemical weapons by 2012.” (RIA Novosti; 01Dec08) http://en.rian.ru/russia/20081201/118632753.html
Some vindication for sick [Gulf War] vets, but little relief
“A high-profile advisory panel to Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake earlier this month affirmed research showing that a collection of symptoms commonly known as Gulf War illnesses are real and require treatment. The country has a national obligation to help them, the panel concluded. The report, however, also noted a sad reality: Of the $340 million in government funds spent to research the topic, little has focused on finding treatments. And, researchers said, the estimated 175,000-210,000 Gulf veterans who are sick aren't getting any better. […] Compounding the problem was the complexity of the symptoms and uncertainty over the causes. Were they caused by combat stress? Was it vaccinations? Was it pills given to protect soldiers from nerve agents? Was it exposure to oil well fires or chemical weapons? Or a combination of factors?” (USA Today; 01Dec08; Steve Jahnke; Source: Associated Press) http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-12-01-gulf-war-syndrome_N.htm
Lebanon signs up to treaty banning chemical weapons
“Lebanon on Friday signed legal documents which will see it become the 185th signatory to the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention within 30 days. […] OPCW Director-General Rogelio Pfirter said the convention's founding goal of a universal ban on chemical weapons was coming closer, adding: ‘We call upon those 10 remaining states that have not yet adhered to the CWC to do so without delay.’ Pfirter said in April he had high hopes of Lebanon and Iraq signing up to the treaty in the near future. Three other states in the Middle East -- Israel, Egypt and Syria -- have also still to engage, as has North Korea. Later deadlines for the destruction of stockpiles have been accorded to major producers such as the United States and Russia (2012) or Libya (2011). The OPCW has conducted over 3,000 inspections in 80 member states since its formation.” (AFP; 28Nov08) http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iNSj-Hx68bU1EPcDzCXPEQs3aHDQ
His [Astrophysicist Jim Ryan’s] bomb detector is out of this world [MA]
“[Astrophysicist Jim] Ryan, 61, was invited to a National Guard exercise on Cape Cod to watch a mock cleanup of a terrorist site filled with the material for dirty bombs […]. As Guardsmen combed the booby-trapped house with hand-held sensors, a light bulb went off in Ryan's head. ‘We detect radioactive aluminum from across the galaxy,’ he said, so ‘I knew we should be able to detect it from across the street.’ […] As he stood on Cape Cod at the dirty bomb drill, watching the National Guard play a game of warmer/colder with their hand-held instruments, he realized that some of the spare parts from the Compton [Gamma Ray] Observatory could be used to pinpoint the location of the dirty bomb material with much greater accuracy than traditional Geiger counters and spectrometers, and from a safer distance.” (Boston Globe; 01Dec08; Billy Baker) http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2008/12/01/his_bomb_detector_is_out_of_this_world/
Customs, ports screen for bomb in a box
“Just as fears of a ‘dirty bomb’ coming through the Port of Los Angeles or the Port of Long Beach have increased since the 9/11 attacks on the U.S., so has the available technology that can detect those bombs, said Capt. John Schrinner, Security Chief for McAllister Tug and one of three panelists at the ‘Bomb in a Box’ panel at the recent Maritime Security Expo in Long Beach. As of December 2006, 100 percent of all containers entering the San Pedro ports have been screened for radiation with some of that new technology, a process that was put into motion in response to 9/11. Of the 2,000 to 3,000 containerized shipments screened daily at the San Pedro Bay ports, anywhere from 300 to 600 shipments set off radiation alarms - most of which are triggered by things that are supposed to give off a certain amount of radiation, such as TV sets, porcelain and tile. Nonetheless, each alarm has to be checked out and adjudicated, according to Kevin Weeks of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency.” (The Cunnigham Report; 30Nov08)
http://www.cunninghamreport.com/news_item.php?id=618
Nuclear waste piles up in state [PA]
“The Beaver Valley Power Station in Shippingport [PA] could run out of space for its low-level radioactive waste in two to five years. […] Pennsylvania does not have a disposal site or plans to build one […] because generators could send the waste out of state. Yet, […] facilities in Pennsylvania and neighboring West Virginia, Maryland and Delaware […] could start to run out of storage space by 2013 […]. With the waste scattered at sites across the United States rather than in one central depository, some critics fear it is more vulnerable to terrorism and could be used to build a ‘dirty’ bomb, an explosive device that spreads radioactive material. Security experts and regulators said that's not likely because even small amounts of radioactive material are highly controlled and tracked.” (Pittsburgh Live; 28Nov08; Andrew Conte; Source: Tribune Review)
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/mostread/s_600513.html
Claflin [University] [SC] research seeks easy way to detect [biochem] threats
“Claflin University researchers will soon begin developing a thin strip of paper that can detect the presence of biological outbreaks and chemical weapons. ‘The project has enormous implications for national security,’ Claflin biology professor Dr. Omar Bagasra said. The paper strip will act much like a pregnancy test. The idea is the paper strip will turn a specific color to signal a particular hazard. For example, if Sarin gas is released in an area, the paper would turn green. […] [Claflin chemistry professor Dr. Muthukrishna] Raja said the project’s primary goal is to train students and give them a segue into a career in national security. Select students, between five and 10 per year, will work with the facsimiles to perfect the detection strip and hopefully create the framework for antidotes.” (Times & Democrat; 01Dec08; Lee Tant) http://www.thetandd.com/articles/2008/12/01/news/doc493375986b350239173536.txt
Panel [Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and terrorism] fears use of unconventional weapon
“An independent commission has concluded that terrorists will most likely carry out an attack with biological, nuclear or other unconventional weapons somewhere in the world in the next five years unless the United States and its allies act urgently to prevent that. […] ‘Were one to map terrorism and weapons of mass destruction today, all roads would intersect in Pakistan,’ the report states […]. The report is the result of a six-month study by the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and terrorism, which Congress created last spring in keeping with one of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. […] The panel’s 13 recommendations focus on fighting the threat of bioterrorism, including improved bioforensic capabilities, and strengthening international organizations, like the International Atomic Energy Agency, to address the nuclear threat. It also calls for a comprehensive approach for dealing with Pakistan.” (The New York Times; 01Dec08; Eric Schmitt) http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/01/washington/01bioterror.html?ref=world
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.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
CBR Weapons and WMD Terrorism News- November 14, 2008
Drive-by flu shots [Las Vegas, Nevada]
“With a record 140 million flu vaccinations expected to be administered this year in the U.S., hospitals and health clinics from Norwood, Mass., to Randolph County, Ala., have started offering drive-by shootings, using concern about the regular old flu to help prep for outbreaks of potentially far graver diseases like avian flu and anthrax. The curbside care is simple: you pull up, read about the risks and sign a consent form, then bare your bicep and get a shot--all without leaving the driver's seat. In October in Lynchburg, Va., the Central Virginia Health District's first drive-by clinic served 300 patients in 3 1/2 hours. That's less than 45 seconds per vaccination (and no time cooped up in a room with possible germ spreaders). But critics say that the process is dangerous and that the last place you want to be if something goes wrong is speeding down the highway. […] Still, Dr. Kerry Gateley, Central Virginia's health director, says doctors' offices dole out the shots almost as quickly. The biggest risk, he adds, may be that some drivers get woozy after the shot.” (Time; 13Nov08; Laura Fitzpatrick) http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1858892,00.html
Disease laboratory prepares for germs [Columbia, Missouri]
“Scientists at the University of Missouri won’t have to wait much longer to study infectious diseases such as anthrax, rabbit fever, West Nile virus and Q fever. Campus officials will dedicate MU’s Regional Biocontainment Laboratory on Saturday, though the official opening won’t be for another couple of months, said George Stewart, chairman of MU’s Department of Veterinary Pathology. […] MU received $13.4 million for the lab, MU spokesman Christian Basi said, and contributed about $4.6 million to complete construction, said Deborah Anderson, associate director of the Regional Biocontainment Lab. Laboratories designated Level 3 - a reference to its security status - house ‘significant’ airborne infectious pathogens for which there are vaccines or treatments, Stewart said.” (Columbia Tribune; 13Nov08; Jenna Youngs) http://www.columbiatribune.com/2008/Nov/20081113News006.asp
Joint exercise responds to 'anthrax' discovery [North Platte, Nebraska]
“At approximately 2:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, members of the North Platte Fire Department Hazardous Materials team and the 72nd Civil Support National Guard unit out of Lincoln responded to an anthrax discovery at a local college dorm. Or, at least, that was the training scenario. […] The scenario entailed a missing persons report and the possible presence of an unknown chemical inside the fire station, which was set up as a mock university dormitory. Firefighters discovered suspicious materials and made a methodical search of the area along side members of the 72nd. After donning complete hazmat gear, the teams began monitoring the air for suspicious chemicals as they slowly searched the area […].” (North Platte Telegraph; 13Nov08; Mark Young) http://www.nptelegraph.com/articles/2008/11/13/news/50001069.txt
More than just flu shots at clinic [Rapid City, South Dakota]
“The city's mass vaccination clinic also provided volunteers and health professionals with training for the day that thousands could need medical aid in a future disaster. Fighting a public health menace, today and tomorrow, was the two-pronged purpose of the second annual clinic. It is part of South Dakota's Child Influenza Immunization Initiative. […] If the community ever needed mass inoculations or medications because of an epidemic, pandemic, natural disaster, chemical warfare or bioterrorism, the emergency point-of-dispensing system used at the mass clinic could be expanded to vaccinate 100,000 people over a 48-hour period, Kirchgesler said. ‘We've planned for 5,000 to 6,000 students. If we were to exceed that, we do have access to an additional 2,000 units of vaccine,’ [Rapid City Department of Fire & Emergency Services Capt. Mark Kirchgesler] said. […] Sioux Falls has had such two clinics, and other communities are planning theirs, he [Kirchgesler] said. ‘There's a plan throughout the state.’” (Rapid City Journal; 13Nov08; Jomay Steen) http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2008/11/13/news/local/doc491bc3354c273346533058.txt
Army: EPA's polluted site designation for Ft. Detrick [Maryland] area unnecessary
“The Army says it is unnecessary for the federal Environmental Protection Agency to add to a list of the nation's most polluted places an old Fort Detrick dump site that has tainted private wells and yielded live pathogens from biodefense labs. […] Fort Detrick is home to the military's biological warfare defense program. Workers there dumped industrial chemicals and biological wastes in unlined trenches at Area B from the 1940s through the 1960s, before such practices were outlawed. […] In 2004, the Army finished removing about 3,500 tons of contaminated soil, drums, laboratory vials and cylinders from four trenches at Area B, but lacked funding to clean up the ground water. Since then, contamination levels in the ground water have fallen sharply, installation spokesman Chuck Gordon said in April. During that operation, workers found small vials of live pathogens including E. coli and the microbes that cause pneumonia, tuberculosis and the livestock disease brucellosis. They also found a non-pathogenic form of anthrax.” (Baltimore Sun; 12Nov08; Source: AP) http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-army1112,0,619484.story
Leak detected at depot [Blue Grass Army Depot, Kentucky]
“A leak was detected Thursday in a M55 rocket holding the nerve agent GB at the Blue Grass Army Depot, officials said. The leak comes a day after crews began neutralizing 157 gallons of GB, also known as sarin, in a plan called Operation Swift Solution. Thursday's leak was unrelated to the neutralizing plan, which will destroy sarin that is stored in three steel ton containers at the depot. […] The low-level sarin vapor that was detected was confined to the tube and didn't seep into the igloo in which the rockets are kept, said Richard Sloan, spokesman for Blue Grass Chemical Activity, the agency that oversees chemical weapons at the depot. The rocket will be overpacked in a leak-proof container and stored in another igloo containing similar GB munitions in the next few days, Sloan said.” (Lexington Herald-Leader; 13Nov08; Ashlee Clark) http://www.kentucky.com/181/story/591243.html
The things he [the author] carried [through airport security]
“Because the TSA’s security regimen seems to be mainly thing-based—most of its 44,500 airport officers are assigned to truffle through carry-on bags for things like guns, bombs, three-ounce tubes of anthrax, Crest toothpaste, nail clippers, Snapple, and so on—I focused my efforts on bringing bad things through security in many different airports, primarily my home airport, Washington’s Reagan National, the one situated approximately 17 feet from the Pentagon, but also in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Chicago, and at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport […] During one secondary inspection […] I was wearing under my shirt […] a ‘Beerbelly,’ a neoprene sling that holds a polyurethane bladder and drinking tube. […] [which] contained two cans’ worth of Bud Light at the time of the inspection. It went undetected.” (Atlantic; Nov08; Jeffrey Goldberg) http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200811/airport-security
Strike anywhere at al-Qaida
“On Monday, the New York Times revealed that in the spring of 2004, Donald Rumsfeld, then the US secretary of defence, signed a secret order providing the US military with a mandate and fast-track approvals mechanism to launch raids against al-Qaida terrorists in countries outside the ‘conflict zones’ of Iraq and Afghanistan. […] The number of special forces operations launched by the US military against al-Qaida targets under the new authority appears not to have been that high: the number of such raids not previously publicly disclosed was less than a dozen. […] [I] n a speech in the British Parliament on October 31, Michael Chertoff, the US homeland security secretary, argued: ‘[…] There are areas of the world that are ungoverned or ungovernable but nevertheless technically within the sovereignty of boundaries. Does that mean we simply have to allow terrorists to operate there, in kind of badlands, where they can plan, they can set up laboratories, they can experiment with chemical weapons and with biological weapons?’ […] The Obama administration is likely to reiterate these arguments in order to keep every option on the table in the hunt for Bin Laden.” (Guardian; 12Nov08; Paul Cruickshank) http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2008/nov/12/barack-obama-al-qaida
Joy to the world: holiday cards for 'any soldier'
“This holiday season, Americans can send soldiers and wounded troops greeting cards — even if they don’t know their names. After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the anthrax attacks, the Pentagon required that mail addressed to ‘any soldier’ be returned to the sender, leaving Americans without a way to send mail to soldiers whose names they didn’t know. […] But for a second year, an American Red Cross program is allowing the public to send holiday greeting cards that aren’t addressed to a particular soldier. The cards will be screened, sorted and distributed to military hospitals and bases nationally and overseas in time for the holidays. […] To speed delivery, mailers should not send care packages, money or any inserts, including glitter. […] In a voluntary effort, the mail service provider Pitney Bowes Inc. will screen the cards for hazardous material, and the Red Cross will sort through the cards to ensure the contents are appropriate.” (Associated Press; 12Nov08; Christine Simmons) http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gaaFaQDRe6yR7RES41omQtzXtCAwD94D977O0
EDA [European Defence Agency] hosts a chemical, biological and radiological agents exercise [Namur, Belgium]
“The European Defence Agency hosts an exercise on how to deal better with the effects of Chemical, Biological and Radiological or Nuclear (CBRN) agents, in Jambes, Namur, from 11 to 13 November, bringing together about 100 experts from its participating Member States. […] Having worked for two years to develop procedures and practices, they are now being put into practice at a high level headquarters based exercise. military experts from across the European Union are gathered to refine these procedures and to exchange ideas on the best way to address an attack of this nature. Although primarily focused on deployed operations, the exercise takes the opportunity to share ideas on homeland defence from different European institutions and other agencies. Representatives from NATO are also sharing their experiences and ensuring that their work goes hand in hand with that the European Defence Agency.” (European Defence Agency News; 12Nov08)
http://www.eda.europa.eu/newsitem.aspx?id=428
Five passports are lost in the post every day by Home Office raising fears they're falling into criminal hands
“Figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats reveal that between 2001 and 2007, government officials lost 12,200 passports in the post. Since February 2004, when the Identity and Passport Service - a Home Office agency - ditched Royal Mail and awarded a multi-million-pound contract to a courier service to deliver the documents, 3,000 have gone missing. […] Blank passports are particularly desirable to fraudsters as they can be used to create an entirely new identity, and used to open bank accounts, obtain thousands of pounds in credit and access public services. But security experts have also warned that if the documents fell into the hands of terrorists and other criminals, they would yield a host of technological secrets and allow fraudsters to produce their own versions. […] Dhiren Barot, an al-Qaeda chief convicted of plotting to kill thousands of Londoners with a radioactive 'dirty bomb', was issued with nine British passports - two using false identities and seven in his own name before his arrest in August 2004.” (Daily Mail; 12Nov08; Ian Drury) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1085160/FIVE-passports-lost-post-day-Home-Office-raising-fears-theyre-falling-criminal-hands.html
3 Pa. [Pennsylvania] courthouses receive anthrax scare letters
“Identical letters sent to three Pennsylvania county courthouses this week mentioned anthrax but did not contain the poisonous substance. The letters were received in Jefferson and Pike counties on Tuesday and Schuylkill County on Wednesday, said Reggie Wade, spokesman for U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Philadelphia. […] Wade said there have been about 19,000 incidents in which unknown substances, threats or anthrax references have been sent through the mail since fatal anthrax mailings targeted media organizations and Congress in October 2001. All have been false alarms or hoaxes.” (Fulton County News; 13Nov08; Source: AP) http://www.fultoncountynews.com/news/2008/1113/church_news/111.html
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.
“With a record 140 million flu vaccinations expected to be administered this year in the U.S., hospitals and health clinics from Norwood, Mass., to Randolph County, Ala., have started offering drive-by shootings, using concern about the regular old flu to help prep for outbreaks of potentially far graver diseases like avian flu and anthrax. The curbside care is simple: you pull up, read about the risks and sign a consent form, then bare your bicep and get a shot--all without leaving the driver's seat. In October in Lynchburg, Va., the Central Virginia Health District's first drive-by clinic served 300 patients in 3 1/2 hours. That's less than 45 seconds per vaccination (and no time cooped up in a room with possible germ spreaders). But critics say that the process is dangerous and that the last place you want to be if something goes wrong is speeding down the highway. […] Still, Dr. Kerry Gateley, Central Virginia's health director, says doctors' offices dole out the shots almost as quickly. The biggest risk, he adds, may be that some drivers get woozy after the shot.” (Time; 13Nov08; Laura Fitzpatrick) http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1858892,00.html
Disease laboratory prepares for germs [Columbia, Missouri]
“Scientists at the University of Missouri won’t have to wait much longer to study infectious diseases such as anthrax, rabbit fever, West Nile virus and Q fever. Campus officials will dedicate MU’s Regional Biocontainment Laboratory on Saturday, though the official opening won’t be for another couple of months, said George Stewart, chairman of MU’s Department of Veterinary Pathology. […] MU received $13.4 million for the lab, MU spokesman Christian Basi said, and contributed about $4.6 million to complete construction, said Deborah Anderson, associate director of the Regional Biocontainment Lab. Laboratories designated Level 3 - a reference to its security status - house ‘significant’ airborne infectious pathogens for which there are vaccines or treatments, Stewart said.” (Columbia Tribune; 13Nov08; Jenna Youngs) http://www.columbiatribune.com/2008/Nov/20081113News006.asp
Joint exercise responds to 'anthrax' discovery [North Platte, Nebraska]
“At approximately 2:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, members of the North Platte Fire Department Hazardous Materials team and the 72nd Civil Support National Guard unit out of Lincoln responded to an anthrax discovery at a local college dorm. Or, at least, that was the training scenario. […] The scenario entailed a missing persons report and the possible presence of an unknown chemical inside the fire station, which was set up as a mock university dormitory. Firefighters discovered suspicious materials and made a methodical search of the area along side members of the 72nd. After donning complete hazmat gear, the teams began monitoring the air for suspicious chemicals as they slowly searched the area […].” (North Platte Telegraph; 13Nov08; Mark Young) http://www.nptelegraph.com/articles/2008/11/13/news/50001069.txt
More than just flu shots at clinic [Rapid City, South Dakota]
“The city's mass vaccination clinic also provided volunteers and health professionals with training for the day that thousands could need medical aid in a future disaster. Fighting a public health menace, today and tomorrow, was the two-pronged purpose of the second annual clinic. It is part of South Dakota's Child Influenza Immunization Initiative. […] If the community ever needed mass inoculations or medications because of an epidemic, pandemic, natural disaster, chemical warfare or bioterrorism, the emergency point-of-dispensing system used at the mass clinic could be expanded to vaccinate 100,000 people over a 48-hour period, Kirchgesler said. ‘We've planned for 5,000 to 6,000 students. If we were to exceed that, we do have access to an additional 2,000 units of vaccine,’ [Rapid City Department of Fire & Emergency Services Capt. Mark Kirchgesler] said. […] Sioux Falls has had such two clinics, and other communities are planning theirs, he [Kirchgesler] said. ‘There's a plan throughout the state.’” (Rapid City Journal; 13Nov08; Jomay Steen) http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2008/11/13/news/local/doc491bc3354c273346533058.txt
Army: EPA's polluted site designation for Ft. Detrick [Maryland] area unnecessary
“The Army says it is unnecessary for the federal Environmental Protection Agency to add to a list of the nation's most polluted places an old Fort Detrick dump site that has tainted private wells and yielded live pathogens from biodefense labs. […] Fort Detrick is home to the military's biological warfare defense program. Workers there dumped industrial chemicals and biological wastes in unlined trenches at Area B from the 1940s through the 1960s, before such practices were outlawed. […] In 2004, the Army finished removing about 3,500 tons of contaminated soil, drums, laboratory vials and cylinders from four trenches at Area B, but lacked funding to clean up the ground water. Since then, contamination levels in the ground water have fallen sharply, installation spokesman Chuck Gordon said in April. During that operation, workers found small vials of live pathogens including E. coli and the microbes that cause pneumonia, tuberculosis and the livestock disease brucellosis. They also found a non-pathogenic form of anthrax.” (Baltimore Sun; 12Nov08; Source: AP) http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-army1112,0,619484.story
Leak detected at depot [Blue Grass Army Depot, Kentucky]
“A leak was detected Thursday in a M55 rocket holding the nerve agent GB at the Blue Grass Army Depot, officials said. The leak comes a day after crews began neutralizing 157 gallons of GB, also known as sarin, in a plan called Operation Swift Solution. Thursday's leak was unrelated to the neutralizing plan, which will destroy sarin that is stored in three steel ton containers at the depot. […] The low-level sarin vapor that was detected was confined to the tube and didn't seep into the igloo in which the rockets are kept, said Richard Sloan, spokesman for Blue Grass Chemical Activity, the agency that oversees chemical weapons at the depot. The rocket will be overpacked in a leak-proof container and stored in another igloo containing similar GB munitions in the next few days, Sloan said.” (Lexington Herald-Leader; 13Nov08; Ashlee Clark) http://www.kentucky.com/181/story/591243.html
The things he [the author] carried [through airport security]
“Because the TSA’s security regimen seems to be mainly thing-based—most of its 44,500 airport officers are assigned to truffle through carry-on bags for things like guns, bombs, three-ounce tubes of anthrax, Crest toothpaste, nail clippers, Snapple, and so on—I focused my efforts on bringing bad things through security in many different airports, primarily my home airport, Washington’s Reagan National, the one situated approximately 17 feet from the Pentagon, but also in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Chicago, and at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport […] During one secondary inspection […] I was wearing under my shirt […] a ‘Beerbelly,’ a neoprene sling that holds a polyurethane bladder and drinking tube. […] [which] contained two cans’ worth of Bud Light at the time of the inspection. It went undetected.” (Atlantic; Nov08; Jeffrey Goldberg) http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200811/airport-security
Strike anywhere at al-Qaida
“On Monday, the New York Times revealed that in the spring of 2004, Donald Rumsfeld, then the US secretary of defence, signed a secret order providing the US military with a mandate and fast-track approvals mechanism to launch raids against al-Qaida terrorists in countries outside the ‘conflict zones’ of Iraq and Afghanistan. […] The number of special forces operations launched by the US military against al-Qaida targets under the new authority appears not to have been that high: the number of such raids not previously publicly disclosed was less than a dozen. […] [I] n a speech in the British Parliament on October 31, Michael Chertoff, the US homeland security secretary, argued: ‘[…] There are areas of the world that are ungoverned or ungovernable but nevertheless technically within the sovereignty of boundaries. Does that mean we simply have to allow terrorists to operate there, in kind of badlands, where they can plan, they can set up laboratories, they can experiment with chemical weapons and with biological weapons?’ […] The Obama administration is likely to reiterate these arguments in order to keep every option on the table in the hunt for Bin Laden.” (Guardian; 12Nov08; Paul Cruickshank) http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2008/nov/12/barack-obama-al-qaida
Joy to the world: holiday cards for 'any soldier'
“This holiday season, Americans can send soldiers and wounded troops greeting cards — even if they don’t know their names. After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the anthrax attacks, the Pentagon required that mail addressed to ‘any soldier’ be returned to the sender, leaving Americans without a way to send mail to soldiers whose names they didn’t know. […] But for a second year, an American Red Cross program is allowing the public to send holiday greeting cards that aren’t addressed to a particular soldier. The cards will be screened, sorted and distributed to military hospitals and bases nationally and overseas in time for the holidays. […] To speed delivery, mailers should not send care packages, money or any inserts, including glitter. […] In a voluntary effort, the mail service provider Pitney Bowes Inc. will screen the cards for hazardous material, and the Red Cross will sort through the cards to ensure the contents are appropriate.” (Associated Press; 12Nov08; Christine Simmons) http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gaaFaQDRe6yR7RES41omQtzXtCAwD94D977O0
EDA [European Defence Agency] hosts a chemical, biological and radiological agents exercise [Namur, Belgium]
“The European Defence Agency hosts an exercise on how to deal better with the effects of Chemical, Biological and Radiological or Nuclear (CBRN) agents, in Jambes, Namur, from 11 to 13 November, bringing together about 100 experts from its participating Member States. […] Having worked for two years to develop procedures and practices, they are now being put into practice at a high level headquarters based exercise. military experts from across the European Union are gathered to refine these procedures and to exchange ideas on the best way to address an attack of this nature. Although primarily focused on deployed operations, the exercise takes the opportunity to share ideas on homeland defence from different European institutions and other agencies. Representatives from NATO are also sharing their experiences and ensuring that their work goes hand in hand with that the European Defence Agency.” (European Defence Agency News; 12Nov08)
http://www.eda.europa.eu/newsitem.aspx?id=428
Five passports are lost in the post every day by Home Office raising fears they're falling into criminal hands
“Figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats reveal that between 2001 and 2007, government officials lost 12,200 passports in the post. Since February 2004, when the Identity and Passport Service - a Home Office agency - ditched Royal Mail and awarded a multi-million-pound contract to a courier service to deliver the documents, 3,000 have gone missing. […] Blank passports are particularly desirable to fraudsters as they can be used to create an entirely new identity, and used to open bank accounts, obtain thousands of pounds in credit and access public services. But security experts have also warned that if the documents fell into the hands of terrorists and other criminals, they would yield a host of technological secrets and allow fraudsters to produce their own versions. […] Dhiren Barot, an al-Qaeda chief convicted of plotting to kill thousands of Londoners with a radioactive 'dirty bomb', was issued with nine British passports - two using false identities and seven in his own name before his arrest in August 2004.” (Daily Mail; 12Nov08; Ian Drury) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1085160/FIVE-passports-lost-post-day-Home-Office-raising-fears-theyre-falling-criminal-hands.html
3 Pa. [Pennsylvania] courthouses receive anthrax scare letters
“Identical letters sent to three Pennsylvania county courthouses this week mentioned anthrax but did not contain the poisonous substance. The letters were received in Jefferson and Pike counties on Tuesday and Schuylkill County on Wednesday, said Reggie Wade, spokesman for U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Philadelphia. […] Wade said there have been about 19,000 incidents in which unknown substances, threats or anthrax references have been sent through the mail since fatal anthrax mailings targeted media organizations and Congress in October 2001. All have been false alarms or hoaxes.” (Fulton County News; 13Nov08; Source: AP) http://www.fultoncountynews.com/news/2008/1113/church_news/111.html
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.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Prisoner Radicalization: Assessing the Threat in U.S. Correctional Institutions
Years from now when criminologists write their textbooks on American terrorism, the name Kevin Lamar James may appear alongside such infamous figures as Timothy McVeigh, Ramzi Yousef and Osama bin Laden.
Kevin James is scheduled to be sentenced in February 2009 for conspiring to wage war against the United States. James pleaded guilty to the charge after he and three other men were indicted in 2005 for plotting to attack U.S. military facilities, Israeli government facilities and Jewish synagogues in Los Angeles.
At the time of the indictments, the FBI described the plot as the most operationally advanced since Sept. 11. Even more troubling is that James designed the plot while serving time in a California state prison.
READ ON
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/journals/261/prisoner-radicalization.htm
Kevin James is scheduled to be sentenced in February 2009 for conspiring to wage war against the United States. James pleaded guilty to the charge after he and three other men were indicted in 2005 for plotting to attack U.S. military facilities, Israeli government facilities and Jewish synagogues in Los Angeles.
At the time of the indictments, the FBI described the plot as the most operationally advanced since Sept. 11. Even more troubling is that James designed the plot while serving time in a California state prison.
READ ON
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/journals/261/prisoner-radicalization.htm
Friday, September 19, 2008
CBR Weapons and WMD Terrorism News-September 19, 2008
Fourth mystery package for [Representative Tom] Feeney [R-FL]
“A suspicious envelope addressed to the Washington, D.C., office of U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney was found last Thursday by U.S. House officials, a spokeswoman said. This is the fourth suspicious envelope addressed to Feeney offices, all similar in appearance, since Sept. 8 [2008]. One envelope arrived at each of his Florida offices, in Port Orange, Orlando near the University of Central Florida, and Titusville. The first three were deemed to contain baking flour by inspectors. The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating.” (Seminole Voice; 19Sep08; Jenny Andreasson)
http://seminolevoice.com/Seminole_Voice/article.asp?ID=940
FDA proposes label requirements for refused imported foods
“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued a proposed rule designed to reduce a practice known as ‘port shopping’ which puts the safety of imported food at risk. […] When FDA refuses to admit a food into the United States, the food must be exported or destroyed. But some persons attempt to bring the refused food back into the United States in the same condition by shipping it to another U.S. port in hopes that the food will be admitted there. The proposed regulation would require that shipping containers of food barred from entry, and any accompanying documents, be labeled as refused. The label would make it easier for FDA to detect previously-refused food. The proposed rule implements a provision of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 […].” (U.S. FDA; 18Sep08; Michael Herndon) http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01888.html
Homeland Security and Sesame Street team up to indoctrinate the nation's youth
“Today's youngsters will be adequately trained in emergency preparedness by the likes of Grover. The partnership is aimed at children, and seeks to encourage family preparedness plans in the case of emergencies, such as terrorist attacks, biological warfare, and maybe even a devastating hurricane.” (Cleveland Leader; 18Sep08)
http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/6808
SIGA Technologies [Inc.] receives additional $20 million from NIH [National Institutes of Health] for ST-246 antiviral therapeutic development
“SIGA Technologies, Inc. […] today announced that it has received an additional $20 million from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), a division of the National Institutes of Health […]. The Office of the Biomedical Advance Research and Development Authority (BARDA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has provided this funding to NIAID to advance research and development of biodefense products such as ST-246. […] Dr. Eric Rose, SIGA's Chief Executive Officer, continued, ‘We have made considerable achievements thus far in our R&D efforts with ST-246, and are confident that we are on the right path to bring this drug to market to help prevent or contain the effects of any biological warfare attack using the smallpox virus in the United States or around the world, should the need arise.’” (Trading Markets; 18Sep08) http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1891238/
[Senator] Leahy [D-VT]: Suspect [Bruce Ivins] had help in anthrax attacks
“The chairman of the of Senate Judiciary Committee said Wednesday he does not believe that Dr. Bruce Ivins acted alone in the deadly 2001 anthrax attacks. Sen. Patrick Leahy was one of the targets of the lethal anthrax-laced letters that killed five and sickened 17 in fall 2001. […] Leahy did not say why he believed Ivins had help and he also cast doubt that the Army scientist was the attacker in the first place. […] Republicans shared Leahy's doubts surrounding the case. Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, the top GOP member of the panel, said he had problems with some of the evidence against Ivins that has been made public. In a testy exchange with [FBI Director Robert] Mueller, he also demanded to have a say in selecting scientists who will be performing an independent review […].” (Associated Press; 17Sep08; Lara Jakes Jordan) http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gBlAAdzjtMryYGvNIIVF1k02ZFMwD938MQA80
Scientist concedes 'honest mistake' about weaponized anthrax [assessment from ‘Amerithrax’ investigation]
“An acclaimed government scientist who assisted the federal investigation of the 2001 anthrax mailings said Tuesday that he erred seven years ago when he told top Bush administration officials that material he examined probably had been altered to make it more deadly. The scientist, Peter B. Jahrling, had observed anthrax spores with the aid of an electron microscope at the government's biological warfare research facility at Ft. Detrick, Md. […] Jahrling […] believed […] that silicon had been added to anthrax recovered from a letter addressed to then-Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD). The presence of silicon was viewed with alarm because the material, if artificially added to the anthrax, would make it more buoyant in air and more capable of penetrating deeply into the lungs. […] Jahrling said […] that he had been ‘overly impressed’ by what he thought he saw under the microscope.” (Los Angeles Times; 17Sep08; David Willman) http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-anthrax17-2008sep17,0,1753550.story
Midwest public health workers prepare for bioterrorism, other threats with Meridian LMS [learning management system]
“Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC is implementing the software-as-a-service (SaaS) version of its learning management system (LMS)for ‘Prepare Iowa,’ which is a partnership of the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Institute for Public Health Practice at the University of Iowa's College of Public Health. […] To access the Prepare Iowa LMS, public health professionals log in online and establish an account. From there, they can find training on subjects ranging from bioterrorism to program evaluation.” (PR Canada; 17Sep08)
http://pr-canada.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=46002&Itemid=65
Australia boosts bio-security defenses
“Australia has opened a new National Center for Bio-Security to build its defenses against infectious diseases and biological weapons. Medical experts say it will help protect the country from threats such as SARS and bird flu as well as attacks by terrorists or rogue scientists. […] Its researchers will look at ways to combat biological warfare, naturally occurring diseases and the theft or misuse of sensitive research on micro-organisms. In addition, they will study the dangers posed by synthetic biology […].” (VOA News; 16Sep08; Phil Mercer) http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-09-16-voa8.cfm
EnWave Corporation announces major advancement in pharmaceutical dehydration technology
“EnWave Corporation today announced that it has made a major innovation in its Radiant Energy Vacuum (‘REV’) pharmaceutical dehydration technology to allow for a significant reduction in the moisture content of dried vaccine products. […] Production of dried live pharmaceuticals, such as vaccines, storable at room temperatures would be considered a major industry breakthrough. Dried vaccines with long shelf-life could be shipped worldwide, stored without the need for expensive, constant refrigeration, and stockpiled to protect against pandemic diseases and bioterrorism. The current ‘gold standard’ for dehydrating many liquid pharmaceuticals is freeze drying (‘lyophilization’). This process is expensive, time consuming and often results in significant loss of bioactivity during dehydration.” (Trading Markets; 18Sep08; Source: EnWave Corporation) http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1890416/
[Sri Lankan] Military: Navy sinks 10 rebel boats, killing 25
“The Sri Lankan Military says naval forces have sunk 10 Tamil Tiger boats and killed at least 25 rebel sailors in a major sea battle off the country's northwest. The Military says the battle started about 11 a.m. Thursday off the coast at Nachchikuda and lasted for four hours. Military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara says naval forces sank seven small boats belonging to the Tamil Tigers' naval wing and three medium-sized boats. […] The Sri Lankan authorities on Thursday ordered tens of thousands of ethnic Tamils living in Colombo to register with police as fighting in the country's civil war with Tamil separatists grew fiercer. Fresh fighting along the northern front lines killed 25 rebels and one soldier, the Military said Thursday, while brushing off reports the Tamil Tigers had unleashed deadly chemical weapons against advancing troops. As the fighting intensified in recent months, the rebels have been blamed for a series of deadly attacks on buses, trains and other targets in the capital and other towns that have killed scores of civilians far from the war zone. Authorities established a maze of roadblocks and checkpoints and continuously changed traffic patterns in Colombo in an effort to prevent new attacks.” (Associated Press; 18Sep08; Ravi Nessman) http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gVoaDFmbCYS-Usz9ACDRIengj21QD9393IT00
In Short LTTE [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam] has no chemical weapons capability – [according to] Military spokesman [Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara]
“Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara vehemently denied that the LTTE has the capability of using chemical weapons on the battlefield. […] He affirmed that the LTTE had used CS [Corson & Stoughton’s] gas during the clash in Akkaraynkulam [11Sep08]. ‘The LTTE used the CS gas to resist the Security Forces advancing in Akkarayankulam. Six soldiers who suffered breathing difficulties were admitted to hospital and were discharged,’ he added. Brigadier Nanayakkara said the CS gas was used by the LTTE in the current battlefield at an experimental level. ‘According to intelligence information the LTTE is at an experimental level of using CS gas,’ he added. He elaborated that the CS gas generally used for anti-hijack or hostage operations. ‘The Security Forces are capable of facing such situation and are provided with masks,’ he added.” (Daily News; 19Sep08; Rafik Jalaldeen) http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/09/19/news61.asp
U.S. and Canadian agencies respond to simulated WMD [Sweetgrass, Montana]
“A simulated attempt to smuggle a dirty bomb into the U.S. using the railroad drew a massive cross-border response here Thursday […]. Six months in the planning and at an estimated cost of about $20,000, the exercise involved eight Canadian agencies, seven federal agencies, seven state agencies, and the Montana National Guard. Several local law enforcement agencies from the Sweetgrass area also participated, along with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad and the Rocky Mountain Integrated Border Enforcement Team.” (Helena Independent Record; 18Sep08; Martin J. Kidston) http://www.helenair.com/articles/2008/09/18/top/42lo_080918_wmd.txt
Emergency exercise will test our readiness
“Plymouth-Canton staff and students will be put to the test this morning with a hazardous material incident at Plymouth High School that will trigger an evacuation. All Plymouth High, students will actually participate in the exercise and be removed from the school. At the same time, students and staff at all the other schools in the district will be holding ‘shelter in place’ exercises during the course of the day. […] Other mock exercises today will include a live burn at the massive Marathon Oil facility in Detroit and several terrorist attacks, including a radiological dirty bomb, in Oakland County. Put together, it is being billed as one of the most comprehensive disaster training exercises ever performed in this country […].” (Hometown Life; 18Sep08)
http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080918/OPINION/809180481
Fears of US-Russia breakdown on WMD dismantlement
“The authors of a U.S. program designed to secure weapons of mass destruction in the former Soviet Union say they worry that deteriorating relations between the United States and Russia could undermine efforts to keep the weapons out of the hands of terrorists. Sen. Richard Lugar [R-IN] and former Sen. Sam Nunn [D-GA] say the two countries have continued working together to secure nuclear, chemical and biological weapons despite growing hostility after Russia's invasion of Georgia last month. […] The current concern comes as Russia and the United States have begun to draw down cooperation on many fronts. The United States already has suspended joint Military programs and withdrawn an agreement for civilian nuclear cooperation that it had hailed previously as a breakthrough. It has promised further action. Russia, in turn, has hinted that it could halt cooperation on efforts to rein in Iran's nuclear program.” (Associated Press; 18Sep08; Desmond Butler) http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jttDn6BPh7apBLSIhN9th0IC1udgD9393RC00
PharmAthene to present data for Protexia(R) and Valortim(R) at HHS [Department of Health & Human Services] PHEMCE [Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise] Stakeholders Workshop 2008 “PharmAthene, Inc. […] announced today that the Company will present two poster presentations and an oral presentation on its Protexia(R) and Valortim(R) medical countermeasures programs at the upcoming HHS Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise (PHEMCE) Stakeholders Workshop […]. Protexia(R), a recombinant version of human butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), is being developed as a pre-and post-exposure therapy for casualties on the battlefield or civilian victims of nerve agent attacks. Valortim(R), in co-development with Medarex, Inc., is a fully human monoclonal antibody designed to treat and protect against inhalational anthrax.” (PR Newswire; 18Sep08) http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-18-2008/0004888089&EDATE
Keep Israel and Syria talking
“The indirect negotiations between Syria and Israel that began last May have gone as far as they can. Their purpose --to break the ice between the two states after eight years of not talking, and to test one another's resolve over certain issues --has been achieved. Now, Syrian President Bashar Assad wants to move forward, as evidenced in his proposal to Israel for direct peace talks at a recent four-way summit in Damascus involving Syria, Turkey, France and Qatar. […] While Israel may have no big concerns about a conventional Military confrontation with Syria, it does worry about the latter's stockpile of chemical and biological weapons (CBW) and its surface-to-surface missiles. Syria has been developing its CBW capability since the 1980s and has gained the capacity in recent years to launch large numbers of medium and long-range rockets. If tipped with chemical or biological warheads, these rockets could cause significant damage and terror in Israel. Do these Military considerations rule out any chance of war, then? Not necessarily. Conflict between the two countries could still occur […].” (Middle East Times; 18Sep08; Bilal Y. Saab & Bruce O. Riedel, Brookings Institute) http://www.metimes.com/Opinion/2008/09/17/keep_israel_and_syria_talking/8362/
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.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Engineers Help to Rebuild Sadr City
By Army Sgt. Jerry Saslav
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 12, 2008 - The soldiers of Earth Movers Platoon, Company B, 46th Engineer Combat Battalion, gathered for their mission briefing. They would pick up a quality assurance/quality control team and then head into Baghdad's Sadr City district. The men are heavy-equipment operators and supervisors, but they haven't done that job in months. Increasingly, Iraqis are doing their own building.
After the briefing, the troops of the 46th ECB, attached to Multinational Division Baghdad's 926th Engineer Brigade, took a moment, formed a circle, linked arms and prayed; then they loaded into their mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles and headed out.
The platoon provides security for a QA/QC team as it checks on the quality of coalition forces-funded projects being carried out by Iraqi contractors. The engineers provide transportation and physical security for their fellow engineers, and the team visits about 120 sites a week.
The soldiers cannot always drive to each construction site; they normally walk in.
"Security's first," said Army 1st Lt. Jeremy Atkinson, a native of New Orleans, who serves as the platoon leader. "We use infantry tactics as for how we move. Our primary focus is always the security and safety of the people we escort."
For this mission, the team visited a park, a performing arts center and a few schools, all under various stages of construction.
The first stop was the Talley Performing Arts Center, where a building to house a concession stand, storage and offices is being built at one end of the lot, with the theater located at the other end.
As the team members got out of their MRAPs, the engineers fanned out and pulled security while the QA/QC members started their inspection. Army Staff Sgt. Romualdo Portes was the first soldier out of the back of his vehicle.
"When I roll out of the vehicles, everything goes through your mind," said Portes, a native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, who serves with the 46th ECB. "You've got to remember your training. You've got to picture the possibilities of getting hit, sniper fire, a suicide vest, anything."
The team tries to spend as little time on the ground as possible while allowing the QA/QC members the time they need.
"It's kind of unique to see how the Iraqis actually build their structures, vs. how we build in the U.S. They work hard; they're dedicated to what they do, and they do their best at it," said Rhodes, a Company B platoon sergeant.
There was no heavy machinery present at the site, which primarily was manned by Iraqi laborers using hand tools.
"It's kind of interesting, looking at them work, because we have equipment to work with, and whatever they have they make do with it," said Army Staff Sgt. Mario Haywood, a Los Angeles native.
After a short time on the ground, the team headed to schools in the northeastern Baghdad district. They drove to some and walked to others.
"We look for strange items along the streets, unusual scenery around the schools," Rhodes said. "Normally when we go to the schools, there are people working and walking around the schools; but if we get to a school that's totally empty, it makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck and raises a red flag."
At one school the team walked to, Haywood, a Company B squad leader, positioned himself at the gate.
"You feel good, because you're watching out for your guys," he said. "You're watching out for the innocent civilians, and you're also watching out for the guys who are checking these schools and making sure that these young kids have somewhere to go to get educated, to have parks to play in [and] soccer fields to play on."
In very little time, Haywood found himself confronted by 20 children – all of whom were vying for his attention. It is a situation, he said, that he doesn't mind.
"I have kids myself," he said as he kept a watchful eye on the surrounding buildings. "If we're in an area that is not too safe, then I shoo them away, because we have protection and they don't."
As Haywood manned the entrance, other members of the Earth Movers provided security around the rest of the compound.
"We're looking for any kind of possible booby traps or possible [improvised-explosive devices] inside the school," explained Atkinson, a Company B platoon leader. "There's always the threat that there may be somebody with some kind of small arms waiting for you inside the school."
Not many workmen were visible at this school -- just the caretaker and his family.
"It's a good feeling, knowing that we're going through the schools, making sure the schools are ready for the year," Rhodes said, "because education is a plus to all kids, not only our kids in the U.S. The kids clap and they sing songs in their native language, giving us praise for the things that we're doing."
One of the stops was a park, called Regular 6 Park by the Multinational Division Baghdad troops, after Task Force 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment's commander, who led the effort to regain security in this war-torn district. The park had been close to completion once before. However, upon inspection, it was decided that a better job could be done, so the contractor started over. While the contractor was working, children used the park.
"The kids are always in the park having fun," Rhodes said. "It's a good feeling seeing the little kids being able to enjoy life like our kids enjoy life back home."
Violence dominated daily life here as recently as spring of this year.
"The park's a little more risky, because you're out in the open vs. being in a school, where you've got good surroundings," Atkinson said. "Once you've cleared the school, you're pretty safe inside. We have to make sure we still shake the hands of the kids, pass out candy and water bottles – at the same time, maintain an aggressive posture, ready to strike if someone should try to strike us."
The QA/QC team inspected the park and found some damage. The contractor said while the damage was being done at night by area children, he would have it fixed.
Then it was Portes' turn to be approached by the curious children. He joked with them, all the while scanning the area to ensure there were no potential threats. While he and the rest of the platoon are not necessarily performing the jobs they had trained to do, the soldiers say they are gratified by their role.
"It's rewarding when the kids smile at you, and they know that you're there for a reason," Portes said. "It's not to kill or to invade, like some of the bad guys like to think so. They know that you're there for a good reason: it's to help them out.
"I love when the kids approach me and they try to shake my hand," he continued. "When you think about it, they're around 6, 7 [years old] now; they're going to remember my face. They might not remember names, but they'll definitely remember that one person, that one American soldier that took the time, that took a picture with them and shook their hands. We're changing the area. We're helping the people of Iraq."
(Army Sgt. Jerry Saslav serves in Multinational Division Baghdad with the Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 12, 2008 - The soldiers of Earth Movers Platoon, Company B, 46th Engineer Combat Battalion, gathered for their mission briefing. They would pick up a quality assurance/quality control team and then head into Baghdad's Sadr City district. The men are heavy-equipment operators and supervisors, but they haven't done that job in months. Increasingly, Iraqis are doing their own building.
After the briefing, the troops of the 46th ECB, attached to Multinational Division Baghdad's 926th Engineer Brigade, took a moment, formed a circle, linked arms and prayed; then they loaded into their mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles and headed out.
The platoon provides security for a QA/QC team as it checks on the quality of coalition forces-funded projects being carried out by Iraqi contractors. The engineers provide transportation and physical security for their fellow engineers, and the team visits about 120 sites a week.
The soldiers cannot always drive to each construction site; they normally walk in.
"Security's first," said Army 1st Lt. Jeremy Atkinson, a native of New Orleans, who serves as the platoon leader. "We use infantry tactics as for how we move. Our primary focus is always the security and safety of the people we escort."
For this mission, the team visited a park, a performing arts center and a few schools, all under various stages of construction.
The first stop was the Talley Performing Arts Center, where a building to house a concession stand, storage and offices is being built at one end of the lot, with the theater located at the other end.
As the team members got out of their MRAPs, the engineers fanned out and pulled security while the QA/QC members started their inspection. Army Staff Sgt. Romualdo Portes was the first soldier out of the back of his vehicle.
"When I roll out of the vehicles, everything goes through your mind," said Portes, a native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, who serves with the 46th ECB. "You've got to remember your training. You've got to picture the possibilities of getting hit, sniper fire, a suicide vest, anything."
The team tries to spend as little time on the ground as possible while allowing the QA/QC members the time they need.
"It's kind of unique to see how the Iraqis actually build their structures, vs. how we build in the U.S. They work hard; they're dedicated to what they do, and they do their best at it," said Rhodes, a Company B platoon sergeant.
There was no heavy machinery present at the site, which primarily was manned by Iraqi laborers using hand tools.
"It's kind of interesting, looking at them work, because we have equipment to work with, and whatever they have they make do with it," said Army Staff Sgt. Mario Haywood, a Los Angeles native.
After a short time on the ground, the team headed to schools in the northeastern Baghdad district. They drove to some and walked to others.
"We look for strange items along the streets, unusual scenery around the schools," Rhodes said. "Normally when we go to the schools, there are people working and walking around the schools; but if we get to a school that's totally empty, it makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck and raises a red flag."
At one school the team walked to, Haywood, a Company B squad leader, positioned himself at the gate.
"You feel good, because you're watching out for your guys," he said. "You're watching out for the innocent civilians, and you're also watching out for the guys who are checking these schools and making sure that these young kids have somewhere to go to get educated, to have parks to play in [and] soccer fields to play on."
In very little time, Haywood found himself confronted by 20 children – all of whom were vying for his attention. It is a situation, he said, that he doesn't mind.
"I have kids myself," he said as he kept a watchful eye on the surrounding buildings. "If we're in an area that is not too safe, then I shoo them away, because we have protection and they don't."
As Haywood manned the entrance, other members of the Earth Movers provided security around the rest of the compound.
"We're looking for any kind of possible booby traps or possible [improvised-explosive devices] inside the school," explained Atkinson, a Company B platoon leader. "There's always the threat that there may be somebody with some kind of small arms waiting for you inside the school."
Not many workmen were visible at this school -- just the caretaker and his family.
"It's a good feeling, knowing that we're going through the schools, making sure the schools are ready for the year," Rhodes said, "because education is a plus to all kids, not only our kids in the U.S. The kids clap and they sing songs in their native language, giving us praise for the things that we're doing."
One of the stops was a park, called Regular 6 Park by the Multinational Division Baghdad troops, after Task Force 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment's commander, who led the effort to regain security in this war-torn district. The park had been close to completion once before. However, upon inspection, it was decided that a better job could be done, so the contractor started over. While the contractor was working, children used the park.
"The kids are always in the park having fun," Rhodes said. "It's a good feeling seeing the little kids being able to enjoy life like our kids enjoy life back home."
Violence dominated daily life here as recently as spring of this year.
"The park's a little more risky, because you're out in the open vs. being in a school, where you've got good surroundings," Atkinson said. "Once you've cleared the school, you're pretty safe inside. We have to make sure we still shake the hands of the kids, pass out candy and water bottles – at the same time, maintain an aggressive posture, ready to strike if someone should try to strike us."
The QA/QC team inspected the park and found some damage. The contractor said while the damage was being done at night by area children, he would have it fixed.
Then it was Portes' turn to be approached by the curious children. He joked with them, all the while scanning the area to ensure there were no potential threats. While he and the rest of the platoon are not necessarily performing the jobs they had trained to do, the soldiers say they are gratified by their role.
"It's rewarding when the kids smile at you, and they know that you're there for a reason," Portes said. "It's not to kill or to invade, like some of the bad guys like to think so. They know that you're there for a good reason: it's to help them out.
"I love when the kids approach me and they try to shake my hand," he continued. "When you think about it, they're around 6, 7 [years old] now; they're going to remember my face. They might not remember names, but they'll definitely remember that one person, that one American soldier that took the time, that took a picture with them and shook their hands. We're changing the area. We're helping the people of Iraq."
(Army Sgt. Jerry Saslav serves in Multinational Division Baghdad with the Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office.)
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Soldiers Reopen Road, Stimulate Business in Iraqi Market
By Army 1st Lt. Dan Rullo
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 9, 2008 - News of the grand reopening of Aden Street on the Suk Shelal Market in the Shaab neighborhood here was greeted with great enthusiasm from the public. Many shop owners said the increase in vehicular traffic will be good for their stores, since many more individuals will see the marketplace. As a result, there is a renewed sense of vigor and excitement as store owners build new advertising signage to attract people driving through the area. Local merchants said the opening of the road will make commercial travel and transportation of goods and services easier throughout the northern Baghdad neighborhood.
Amil Duragi, a store owner in the Suk Shelal Market, said he was excited at the prospect of potentially thousands of passersby seeing his storefront for the first time in several years.
During the past few years, two separate car bombings took place along the market. One was on the north side of the market, along the produce section. The second occurred on the south side, adjacent to the police station, which is eight doors down from Duragi's store.
Initially, the memory of those incidents brought a bit of hesitation in his voice, but then he said he sees differences in today's climate and that the security that exists across Baghdad and Shaab is greatly improved as compared to the way it was as recently as 2007.
Although some local shop owners and residents said they believe the Iraqi police still are working on how to run operations on their own, they have seen vast improvements in how they operate.
Many said that when the Iraqi and coalition forces work together, as they do in Shaab, great things can be accomplished as they strive to achieve a thriving, yet secure, outdoor market such as the Suk Shelal Market.
"The reopening of Aden Street in the Shulal Market will send a message to the people of Baghdad that the government of Iraq and the coalition forces have faith in the current security situation and the effectiveness of the Iraqi police," said Army 1st Lt. Matthew George, a Los Angeles native who serves as a patrol leader in Multinational Division Baghdad for the 4th Infantry Division's Company D, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
(Army 1st Lt. Dan Rullo serves in Multinational Division Baghdad with the 4th Infantry Division's Company C, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armored Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 9, 2008 - News of the grand reopening of Aden Street on the Suk Shelal Market in the Shaab neighborhood here was greeted with great enthusiasm from the public. Many shop owners said the increase in vehicular traffic will be good for their stores, since many more individuals will see the marketplace. As a result, there is a renewed sense of vigor and excitement as store owners build new advertising signage to attract people driving through the area. Local merchants said the opening of the road will make commercial travel and transportation of goods and services easier throughout the northern Baghdad neighborhood.
Amil Duragi, a store owner in the Suk Shelal Market, said he was excited at the prospect of potentially thousands of passersby seeing his storefront for the first time in several years.
During the past few years, two separate car bombings took place along the market. One was on the north side of the market, along the produce section. The second occurred on the south side, adjacent to the police station, which is eight doors down from Duragi's store.
Initially, the memory of those incidents brought a bit of hesitation in his voice, but then he said he sees differences in today's climate and that the security that exists across Baghdad and Shaab is greatly improved as compared to the way it was as recently as 2007.
Although some local shop owners and residents said they believe the Iraqi police still are working on how to run operations on their own, they have seen vast improvements in how they operate.
Many said that when the Iraqi and coalition forces work together, as they do in Shaab, great things can be accomplished as they strive to achieve a thriving, yet secure, outdoor market such as the Suk Shelal Market.
"The reopening of Aden Street in the Shulal Market will send a message to the people of Baghdad that the government of Iraq and the coalition forces have faith in the current security situation and the effectiveness of the Iraqi police," said Army 1st Lt. Matthew George, a Los Angeles native who serves as a patrol leader in Multinational Division Baghdad for the 4th Infantry Division's Company D, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
(Army 1st Lt. Dan Rullo serves in Multinational Division Baghdad with the 4th Infantry Division's Company C, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armored Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team.)
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Iraqi Business Owners Network at Trade Show
By Army Sgt. Grant Okubo
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 4, 2008 - In another indication of a return to normalcy in eastern Baghdad, more than 90 organizations gathered Aug. 29 and 30 at the Palestine Hotel in the Iraqi capital's Rusafa district for the 9 Nissan District Business Trade Show. Participants included nongovernment organizations and more than 80 businesses that set up booths to display their products and services and to network with other local business owners.
Exhibitors represented businesses in retail sales, construction and durable and industrial goods. In addition to the exhibits, members of the district council, community leaders and the Baghdad 2 embedded provincial reconstruction team conducted a meeting during the event's second day.
The trade show is the third of its kind conducted in the 10th Mountain Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team operational environment in Multinational Division Baghdad. The other two economic events benefitted businesses in eastern Baghdad's Rusafa and Karadah districts.
The PRT and the Patriot Brigade supported the trade show to sponsor the Iraqi-American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which put together the event, Conrad Tribble, Baghdad-2 embedded PRT team chief, said. The trade show is a way for businesses to come together in a forum not normally available to them, the Los Angeles native explained.
"Trade shows aren't something you see often here, but it gets them out of their areas," Tribble said. "They start to see other suppliers, other competitors and other business contactors they can network with."
These are opportunities that companies in the United States often have to see how things are going, and now Iraqi businesses have them too, Tribble added.
"This is an opportunity for them to hear from their government – what their government is doing on reconstruction," he said. "It's an opportunity for them to talk to each other and find contacts and develop suppliers, customers and so forth."
Speaking with several local business owners, Tribble said, he has found that the businesses have grown during the past year, with the organizations hiring more people, doing more work and getting more contracts.
"That's a good sign, because it shows us that when you get security in place, which was done largely in this district, then lots of things can happen on the economic side," he said, adding that there is still a long way to go for businesses in 9 Nissan, but there is a lot of room to grow and plenty of time to do it.
Another positive and significant sign, he added, is the ability to conduct an event such as the trade show without security being an issue.
"This has been a very successful event," he said. "Just the fact that you have so many different businesses, government contacts [and] people off the street coming together, sort of wandering through, looking at what is going on with the business community at 9 Nissan.
"Obviously, it is one small part of a lot of different things that have to happen for the economy to grow, but this kind of event is the kind of thing that we can sponsor that we can help put on, and that is a good thing," he continued. "It's part of our contribution to help the Iraqi economy step up."
May Mohammed, human resources manager with IACCI, said she was pleased with the turnout, especially on the first day, when she estimated about 1,000 visitors attended the trade show. The local community in 9 Nissan is looking forward to development opportunities, as past regimes largely have ignored this area, she said.
In addition, Mohammed said, she believes the trade show will help many businesses in the area increase their visibility, because their owners have found many other private businesses in the area. Many business owners and organization representatives who participated in the 9 Nissan trade show realize the importance of the event.
"This show is a great opportunity for all the companies," said Ahmed Sameer, who works for a satellite company. "We can communicate with other companies; we can arrange business with other companies. It's something good. It's improving our country and improving our business."
Ali Tamimi, general manager for AT Generators Co., has seen his business improve throughout the past year and said he realizes how important an event like this is and that it arrives at a very important time for business in Iraq. It is a very important time for development for the future of Iraq, he added.
(Army Sgt. Grant Okubo serves in Multinational Division Baghdad with the 10th Mountain Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 4, 2008 - In another indication of a return to normalcy in eastern Baghdad, more than 90 organizations gathered Aug. 29 and 30 at the Palestine Hotel in the Iraqi capital's Rusafa district for the 9 Nissan District Business Trade Show. Participants included nongovernment organizations and more than 80 businesses that set up booths to display their products and services and to network with other local business owners.
Exhibitors represented businesses in retail sales, construction and durable and industrial goods. In addition to the exhibits, members of the district council, community leaders and the Baghdad 2 embedded provincial reconstruction team conducted a meeting during the event's second day.
The trade show is the third of its kind conducted in the 10th Mountain Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team operational environment in Multinational Division Baghdad. The other two economic events benefitted businesses in eastern Baghdad's Rusafa and Karadah districts.
The PRT and the Patriot Brigade supported the trade show to sponsor the Iraqi-American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which put together the event, Conrad Tribble, Baghdad-2 embedded PRT team chief, said. The trade show is a way for businesses to come together in a forum not normally available to them, the Los Angeles native explained.
"Trade shows aren't something you see often here, but it gets them out of their areas," Tribble said. "They start to see other suppliers, other competitors and other business contactors they can network with."
These are opportunities that companies in the United States often have to see how things are going, and now Iraqi businesses have them too, Tribble added.
"This is an opportunity for them to hear from their government – what their government is doing on reconstruction," he said. "It's an opportunity for them to talk to each other and find contacts and develop suppliers, customers and so forth."
Speaking with several local business owners, Tribble said, he has found that the businesses have grown during the past year, with the organizations hiring more people, doing more work and getting more contracts.
"That's a good sign, because it shows us that when you get security in place, which was done largely in this district, then lots of things can happen on the economic side," he said, adding that there is still a long way to go for businesses in 9 Nissan, but there is a lot of room to grow and plenty of time to do it.
Another positive and significant sign, he added, is the ability to conduct an event such as the trade show without security being an issue.
"This has been a very successful event," he said. "Just the fact that you have so many different businesses, government contacts [and] people off the street coming together, sort of wandering through, looking at what is going on with the business community at 9 Nissan.
"Obviously, it is one small part of a lot of different things that have to happen for the economy to grow, but this kind of event is the kind of thing that we can sponsor that we can help put on, and that is a good thing," he continued. "It's part of our contribution to help the Iraqi economy step up."
May Mohammed, human resources manager with IACCI, said she was pleased with the turnout, especially on the first day, when she estimated about 1,000 visitors attended the trade show. The local community in 9 Nissan is looking forward to development opportunities, as past regimes largely have ignored this area, she said.
In addition, Mohammed said, she believes the trade show will help many businesses in the area increase their visibility, because their owners have found many other private businesses in the area. Many business owners and organization representatives who participated in the 9 Nissan trade show realize the importance of the event.
"This show is a great opportunity for all the companies," said Ahmed Sameer, who works for a satellite company. "We can communicate with other companies; we can arrange business with other companies. It's something good. It's improving our country and improving our business."
Ali Tamimi, general manager for AT Generators Co., has seen his business improve throughout the past year and said he realizes how important an event like this is and that it arrives at a very important time for business in Iraq. It is a very important time for development for the future of Iraq, he added.
(Army Sgt. Grant Okubo serves in Multinational Division Baghdad with the 10th Mountain Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office.)
Friday, July 18, 2008
CBR Weapons and WMD Terrorism News- July 18, 2008
The forensic guy from the FBI [Transcript from Discussion of 2001 ‘Amerithrax Attacks’]
“Dr Bruce Budowle has been in the FBI for over 20 years, heading one of its forensic laboratories. He looks back to the mysterious and still unsolved case of the anthrax envelopes which followed 9/11 […] Dr Budowle has come to Australia's Bond University to share techniques and learn from Professor Angela van Daal's use of genetics to profile human features […]” (ABC Radio National; 17Jul08)
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/inconversation/stories/2008/2299962.htm
Former Western [Pennsylvanian] legislator to enter jail Aug. 1
“Former State Rep. Jeff Habay will report to jail Aug. 1 to serve concurrent sentences for conflict of interest and a bizarre fake anthrax threat. […] the state Supreme Court has denied Habay's appeal of his 2006 no-contest pleas to charges that he falsely claimed to have received a powder-filled envelope from a political opponent. Habay was sentenced to four to eight months in jail in the anthrax case.” (Philadelphia Inquirer; 17Jul08; AP) http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20080717_Former_Western_Pa__legislator_to_enter_jail_Aug__1.html
GAO Notes Mixed Progress on Biosurveillance
“The department has not yet identified what capabilities the National Biosurveillance Integration Center (NBIC) should possess to be considered fully operational […] although DHS is upgrading capabilities for the new center, it will not fully train new personnel using the NBIC information technology system until April 2009 […] Current detectors require 10-34 hours to identify a biological attack from an agent such as anthrax. The new systems finally developed with the DHS Science and technology Directorate would cut that time down to 4-6 hours.” (HS Today; 17Jul08; Mickey McCarter) http://hstoday.us/content/view/4292/128/
Disaster planning money reduced [Washington State]
“Federal money used to help local and state public health agencies plan for disasters is being cut by $3.7 million in Washington, with cuts to Snohomish County and four other northwest Washington counties estimated at $200,000. The regional planning program for Snohomish, Island, Skagit, Whatcom and San Juan counties is losing 21 percent of the federal money […] A national push for public health agencies to plan for emergencies came in the wake of the 2001 terrorist attacks and panic over bioterrorism after anthrax-contaminated letters were sent through the mail. In response, local and state public health agencies received $1.1 billion in federal money to help prepare for future emergencies.” (Herald Net; 18Jul08; Sharon Salyer)
http://heraldnet.com/article/20080718/NEWS01/700231358
Tracking produce proves complex
“More than six weeks ago, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about a salmonella outbreak in New Mexico and Texas connected to raw tomatoes. Since then, the agency has expanded the warning nationwide and added jalapeno and serrano peppers. More than 1,100 people have fallen ill since April, but not a single contaminated tomato or pepper has been found.” (Los Angeles Times; 17July08; Annys Shin) http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-salmonella18-2008jul18,0,983085.story
Bomb Squad Blows Up Highly Explosive Acid Found In Walnut Hill [Florida]
“The quart size bottle of picric acid was found in a barn on a farm in the 7800 block of Highway 97, less than a half mile from Ernest Ward Middle School. The bomb squad was called to the scene, and the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department responded about 1:45. […] Besides wartime bomb making, picric was once used diluted as an antiseptic and as a treatment for burns, malaria, herpes and smallpox. It was once also synthesized into a non-explosive insecticide called chloropicrin. Chloropicrin was also used by the Germans and British as a chemical warfare agent during World War Two.” (North Escambia; 17Jul08; William)
http://www.northescambia.com/?p=3098
Poisonous cylinders made safe [Dublin]
“Cylinders of a highly volatile poisonous liquid were disposed of safely in South Dublin today with the help of US environment experts. The seven containers of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) were successfully chemically neutralised without the use of any explosives. […] The cylinders had been stored at the pest control company Rentokil and were moved to the county council owned compound at Grange Castle, Co Dublin for the neutralization.” (Evening Herald; 17Jul08; Sarah Neville) http://www.herald.ie/national-news/poisonous-cylinders-made-safe-1434861.html
Hidden Newnes Forest storage has added to military puzzle
“Earlier this week the Lithgow Mercury published a feature based on interviews conducted by the Illawarra Mercury with ex servicemen now living in the Illawarra region who had worked on secret chemical warfare stockpiles at Marrangaroo and Glenbrook during World War Two. The chemicals included mustard gas imported from America and Britain in contravention of the Geneva Convention to be used in any last ditch defence effort should Australia be invaded. […] There was no way of knowing exactly what was in the drums in the forest but it clearly wasn’t someone’s stash of home brew.” (Lithgow Mercury; 17Jul08; Len Ashworth) http://lithgow.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/hidden-newnes-forest-storage-has-added-to-military-puzzle/813140.aspx
Live in Azalea Park [Orlando, Florida]? Learn about cleanup
“The Army Corps of Engineers will have a community meeting at 6:30 p.m. today [17Jul08] at the Engelwood Neighborhood Center […] The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the investigation into possible contamination left behind in the Azalea Park neighborhood from the former Orlando Army Airfield Toxic Gas and Decontamination Yard.” (Orlando Sentinel; 17Jul08; Rich McKay & Wes Smith) http://www.orlandosentinel.com/services/newspaper/printedition/thursday/orange/orl-orgovwatch17_108jul17,0,857491.story
Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group on Terrorism
“OPCW Director-General Rogelio Pfirter opened the meeting by recalling the recommendations of the Second Review Conference on the OPCW’s response to terrorism. He highlighted the importance of implementing Article X of the Chemical Weapons Convention (Assistance and Protection Against Chemical Weapons) and stressed the value of the OPCW’s existing cooperation with the EU. […] He said information exchange in the fight against terrorism across borders has improved, greater attention is paid to the protection of EU infrastructures, and that the European Arrest Warrant has facilitated the procedures of extradition.” (OPCW News; 15Jul08; Johan de
Wittlaan)
http://www.opcw.org/pressreleases/2008/News17_2008.html
Emergency responders get dirty bomb training [Carlsbad, New Mexico]
“There were bodies and belligerents all over the place Thursday afternoon in a field near the Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring and Research Center. […] It was all part of a ‘dirty bomb’ exercise involving the Texas National Guard Civil Support Team. Some members of New Mexico's support team were also present. […] Thursday's training session was divided into two parts. Members of the Carlsbad Fire Department were the first to arrive on scene, but they were eventually backed up by the National Guard.
Smoke poured from a burned out vehicle. Volunteers who played the parts of victims all had detailed maps and timelines for the mock scenario. Some were assigned to be victims from the get-go, while others played the parts of tourists or ‘walking worried.’” (Current Argus; 18Jul08; Kyle Marksteiner)
http://origin.currentargus.com/ci_9922344
[Homeland Security Secretary Michael] Chertoff: European terrorists trying to enter US
“European terrorists are trying to enter the United States with European Union passports, and there is no guarantee officials will catch them every time, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Thursday. […] Chertoff and other intelligence officials have delivered similar warnings before, and he offered no new information about specific threats or an imminent attack. Chertoff reiterated his concern that terrorists could sneak radiological material into the country on small boats or private aircraft.” (AP; 18Jul08; Eileen Sullivan)
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i3uIGU_Clf36waqYlsaWDls9HP2gD920562O1
UH [University of Hawaii] chosen to help make travel safer
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has tapped the University of Hawaii to be one of 11 institutions to serve for the next six years as ‘an incubator of technology’ in the area of maritime security issues, according to a visiting federal official. Retired Rear Adm. Jay Cohen, Homeland Security Department undersecretary for science and technology, told the Star-Bulletin yesterday that the UH's Center of Excellence for Maritime, Island and Port Security will be under the College of Engineering and will receive a grant ranging from $1.5 million to $2 million annually.” (Star Bulletin; 16July08; Gregg K. Kakesako) http://starbulletin.com/2008/07/16/news/story11.html
Advanced Life Sciences and UK Ministry of Defence announce collaboration
“Advanced Life Sciences Holdings has announced that the UK's Defence Science and technology Laboratory will evaluate the developmental compound ALS-886 as a treatment for chemically induced lung injury. […] Michael Flavin, chairman and CEO of Advanced Life Sciences, said: ‘Dstl is internationally recognized for its ability to evaluate new therapeutic countermeasures that combat chemical and biological warfare agents, and we are very excited to partner with them to develop ALS-886 for potential procurement as a medical countermeasure.” (Trading Markets; 18July08) http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1768368/
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.
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