“The United States is committed to strengthening the BWC as part of a comprehensive strategy for combating the complex threats of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism,” Bush said in November. “The ideas we propose do not constitute a complete solution to the use of pathogens and biotechnology for evil purposes. However, if we can strengthen the convention against the threat of biological weapons, we will contribute to the security of the people of the United States and mankind as a whole.” He recommended taking several steps, but steered clear of any measures that might entail industrial or research facility inspections, whose prospects were considered pivotal in his earlier decision to reject the proposed treaty.
Meanwhile, despite persisting uncertainty about the source of the anthrax attacks, US officials are accelerating efforts aimed at protecting the public more broadly against these and other even more worrisome bioterrorist agents. Not only are they expanding the scope of their preparedness against such agents, but they also are planning in a more focused fashion to rebuild supplies if it proves necessary to vaccinate the public against smallpox, a disease that several decades ago was “eradicated,” at least insofar as it once circulated naturally.
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