French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy, shown earlier this summer, said today that the European Union’s newest offer to Iran to give up its nuclear program was “ambitious and generous” (Getty Images/Thierry Monasse). EU Presents Proposal to Iran, Calls for IAEA Board Meeting The European Union today presented Iran with its latest proposal to resolve the crisis over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, but officials said the prospects for any final agreement were remote, the Associated Press reported. Tensions remained high as the EU nations called a special meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s governing board to coordinate international response to Iran’s threat to restart its uranium conversion plant next week (see GSN, Aug. 4)...Full Story

Security Officials Call for More Federal Funding to Prevent Mass Transit WMD Attack By David Francis Global Security Newswire WASHINGTON — More federal funding is needed to research and develop technology to identify nuclear, chemical or biological weapons on mass transit systems, according to local transit security officials. Without new detection systems and sensors, mass transit is virtually defenseless against an attack involving a weapon of mass destruction, transit security experts warn (see GSN, July 25)...Full Story

U.S. Grapples With Lack of Insurance Against WMD By Joe Fiorill Global Security Newswire WASHINGTON — As U.S. lawmakers weigh renewal of a soon-to-expire government “backstop” for companies that sell terrorism insurance, policyholders and insurance companies alike are focusing on the program’s failure to spark significant WMD coverage (see GSN, June 21)...Full Story

	Friday, August 5, 2005

Security Officials Call for More Federal Funding to Prevent Mass Transit WMD Attack By David Francis Global Security Newswire WASHINGTON — More federal funding is needed to research and develop technology to identify nuclear, chemical or biological weapons on mass transit systems, according to local transit security officials. Without new detection systems and sensors, mass transit is virtually defenseless against an attack involving a weapon of mass destruction, transit security experts warn (see GSN, July 25). “The federal government needs to aggressively pursue the research and development of these products, especially in mass transit where you’re moving hundred of thousands of people,” New Jersey Transit Police Chief Joseph Bober told Global Security Newswire. Concerns over transit security increased following the terrorist attacks last month against London subway trains and buses. Bober said New Jersey Transit, which transports more than 760,000 people each day, has been on a heightened state of alert since the Madrid train bombing in 2004 and stepped up patrols following the London attacks.  Many officers patrolling the New Jersey Transit system carry radiation detectors the size of a pager during rounds on trains, Bober said. However, detection methods for biological and chemical weapons, like those recently tested in New York’s Grand Central Station (see GSN, July 12), are not ready for widespread use and have not been thoroughly tested, according to Bober. Maria White, police commander with Bay Area Rapid Transit Police in San Francisco, agreed that more federal money is needed to improve defense against a WMD attack.  “We’ve asked for lots of money to fund some of our security programs and we have not received what I believe would be an acceptable response from the federal government,” White said. “We’ve taken proactive steps to study ourselves, to review our vulnerabilities, and after that we take the actions steps. But we haven’t been able to take all the steps we want to because we don’t have the funding.” Patrols have been stepped on Bay Area trains, which move 300,000 passengers daily, following the London attacks, White said. Security cameras are also used to monitor suspicious passengers. White would not elaborate on other WMD detection devices used in the transit system, but said additional security steps need to be taken.    White said the federal government is too reactive when it comes to making security-funding decisions. She said she hopes the London attacks will draw attention to transit security inadequacies like the September 2001 terrorist attacks highlighted holes in U.S. air security. Without additional federal funding, many of the measures transit systems could take to prevent a weapon of mass destruction from being detonated on a subway or bus remain out of reach, according to White. “We have a big wish list out there as far as for what funding we’re seeking and for what,” she said. “There is more we can do for detection, whether it be more cameras, or smart technology in those cameras.”   Federal support is also lacking for police patrolling trains, said Rich Roberts, spokesman for the International Union of Police Associations, which represents 120,000 officers below the rank of sergeant. “Our folks in the field have not really seen much support at all,” Roberts said. He argued that too much focus has been placed on advanced technological solutions instead of providing money to train officers how to recognize an attack or the symptoms of an attack. “We’re not talking rocket science here,” Robert said. “With an excessive focus on high-tech, we’ve lost the field edge. … Instead of replacing the old ways, you need to supplement them” with new technologies. Roberts dismissed a recent comment by Homeland Security Department Michael Chertoff, who said local agencies should shoulder the burden for increased mass transit security. He argued that because the federal government is making demands of local law enforcement for improved surveillance and security, “It makes sense for the feds to pick up the tab.” Roberts said security in transit systems and in cities has improved since the Sept. 11 attacks. However, the attacks in London are a reminder that money needs to be spent on additional law enforcement training. “If you don’t have the beat cops out there with adequate support, you aren’t going to win,” Roberts said. “You aren’t going to protect the people.” The Homeland Security Department has been working with other government agencies and private business to develop new technologies, but it is not clear when these would be ready for use or how they would be integrated into security systems, according to Bober and White. Calls to the department were referred to the solicitation and teaming portal Web page of the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency, where the department posts requests for proposals for new technologies. Listed on the page is a solicitation for low-pressure chemicals detection systems, which are described as “state of the art and next generation systems that can detect toxic compounds … without coming in contact with the contaminated surface.” The proposal does not specify how the system would be used. A second proposal asks for low-cost, bio-aerosol detector systems, a cheaper, smaller version of the bio-aerosol detector system that can detect airborne toxins. Although the proposal does not give specifics about how the device would be used, it asks that the system be capable of use by “nontechnical personnel.” The House of Representatives has allocated $100 million for transit security in the fiscal 2006 Homeland Security Department appropriations bill. The Senate has allocated $150 million, matching the White House request and the amount allocated in the present fiscal year. The bill is in conference committee. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins (R-Maine) and ranking member Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) are leading the fight for the extra funding. “The recent attacks in London again demonstrate that transit systems are attractive targets, and it is crucial that steps be taken to mitigate the potential of another terrorist attack from occurring in the United States,” the senators said in a joint statement last week. “Fourteen million people rely on mass transit systems in our country every day. We must provide assistance to system owners and operators to continue rapid deployment of security enhancements.” Collins spokeswoman Elissa Davidson said none of the additional $50 million in the Senate bill is earmarked specifically to improve WMD detection capabilities. Experts Warn of Defenseless System A biological or chemical attack would be nearly impossible to stop, said Eva Lerner-Lam, president of Palisades Consulting Group.  Lam’s group advises the U.S. Transportation Department Federal Transit Administration as well as private clients on transit security and related matters. “Biological is nearly hopeless,” said Lam, who heads Palisade’s internal security operation. “There really is no amount of detecting you can do that can stop a situation like that.” Lam said that dogs could be trained to detect a chemical weapon, but noted difficulties because of training costs and lack of access to dangerous chemical agents. Homeland Security Department money has been invested in new WMD detection technologies with some success, Lam said. She said positive results of chemical agent detection equipment in Washington, D.C.-area subway tunnels two years ago. However, that equipment has not been integrated into the system’s security scheme. “We’re at the phase where stuff needs to happen at the deployment stage and it’s not happening,” Lam said. WMD sensing technologies, while improved since 2001, are “still in their infancy,” unreliable and easily beatable, said Dave Gaier, a former Marine and former State Department agent, who led the security division of engineering firm Urbitran Associates in New York. “Radiation detectors often give off false alarms on people who’ve had thallium stress tests for cardiac problems,” Gaier said. “They also have lags from seconds to hours. Their sensitivity varies widely depending on location, environment, airflow, etc.” Gaier attributes transit systems’ vulnerabilities to a lack of a uniform standard to protect against terrorist attack, whether it is with a weapon of mass destruction or a conventional explosive. Without such security standards, he said, local transit security officials do not have a best practices guide for how to protect trains and buses. “There’s no single set of attested standards,” Gaier said. “Everyone is doing their own thing because they’re eager to show that they’re doing something and they’re eager to protect their passengers.” Gaier and Lam are members of an American Society of Civil Engineers transit experts’ panel working on standards that can be adopted by the Homeland Security Department and instituted across the country. The standards are still being drafted, Lam said. She said they would contain a recommendation to institute a surveillance method called roving security inspections on all transit systems. These unscheduled inspections, now used by New Jersey Transit and the Bay Area Rail Transit system, require officers and dogs to examine suspicious passengers for weapons and explosives. Officers would avoid racial profiling by choosing passengers for inspection based only on suspicious activities or if the rider is carrying a suspicious package. Unlike searches being done on bags in New York City, passengers are not searched initially, but could be subject to search if the dog identifies a hazardous substance in a parcel. “This is the ultimate fair, nondiscriminatory inspection method. It doesn’t care what race you are, just that you’re carrying something suspicious,” Lam said. New Jersey Transit’s Bober said the state attorney general has signed off on the use of roving security inspections and that he has been pleased so far with the program. Lam said the Society of Civil Engineers standards are due out in the fall and would contain methods for reducing the risks of a WMD attack on mass transit. She noted that the Homeland Security Department has yet to issue guidelines for mass transit security, which were scheduled to be released at the end of 2004. Back to top       U.S. Grapples With Lack of Insurance Against WMD By Joe Fiorill Global Security Newswire WASHINGTON — As U.S. lawmakers weigh renewal of a soon-to-expire government “backstop” for companies that sell terrorism insurance, policyholders and insurance companies alike are focusing on the program’s failure to spark significant WMD coverage (see GSN, June 21). President George W. Bush’s administration, policy groups and industry players diverge over the wisdom of renewing the government reinsurance mechanism. The program is described in the 2002 law that created it as a “temporary” post-9/11 measure intended to ensure the availability of terrorism insurance and to “allow for a transitional period for the private markets to stabilize, resume pricing of such insurance and build capacity to absorb any future losses.” Under the current program, the federal government promises to shoulder up to $100 billion of the insurance industry’s payouts following major terrorist attacks. With this limited guarantee in place, the law requires insurers to cover terrorist damages, but the program leaves open the question of who would be responsible for losses exceeding the $100 billion cap. The Treasury Department issued a report June 30 indicating the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act had served its purpose and could be allowed to expire in December. Major policyholders’ and insurers’ groups have disputed that view, arguing for a continuation of government support. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee staff members are expected to work during the current congressional recess on a bill to renew the program, which the committee would begin considering soon after Congress returns Sept. 6. Despite disagreement over whether the program should continue, most participants in the debate agree that the act has not resulted in enough insurance policies against the potentially massive costs of a nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological attack. Major policyholders are represented in the debate by the Coalition to Insure Against Terrorism, which counts members as varied as the Chemical Producers and Distributors Association, the Hilton Hotel Corp. and the National Football League. The group maintains that WMD coverage policyholders can buy does not come close to their potential losses in a large-scale WMD event. Coverage is often capped at $50 million, according to group spokesman Martin DePoy. “What we’re hearing is that it’s virtually impossible to acquire meaningful insurance against that sort of loss,” he said this week. “It’s been capped at such low amounts, it’s not really meaningful,” said DePoy, who is a vice president of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts. Insurers have meanwhile cited the lack of WMD coverage as evidence of the continued need for a program of government support they are eager to see extended. The lack of WMD insurance policies, they say, illustrates that the industry is not yet strong enough after Sept. 11 to forgo the government’s financial backing of terrorism insurance policies. “The lack of NBCR coverage even while the backstop is in place is powerful evidence that the private markets are not yet fully capable of handling the terrorism risk exposure without some backstop,” Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America President-elect William Stiglitz said last week at a hearing of the House Financial Services Capital Markets, Insurance and Government-Sponsored Enterprises Subcommittee. Complicating the debate is persistent confusion in some quarters about whether WMD scenarios are even covered under the 2002 law. Government and industry sources acknowledged there have been widespread misperceptions about whether the law covers WMD insurance. Consumer Federation of America Director Robert Hunter, for example, said at last week’s hearing that the current act “does not cover terrorist attacks involving most weapons of mass destruction.” However, according to the June 30 Treasury report, “TRIA’s definition of insured loss under the program does not exclude NBCR losses under a commercial property and casualty insurance policy, nor does the TRIA definition of an act of terrorism exclude these risks. If an insurer included coverage for these risks in a commercial property and casualty insurance policy and otherwise meets program conditions for payment, the insurer would receive federal payment for such losses.” Although the law requires insurers to provide coverage in terrorism events for any losses that they would cover in such nonterrorist scenarios as natural disasters, it has not been interpreted as requiring them to treat WMD terrorism the same as conventional terrorism. Insurers may omit WMD coverage from terrorism policies, according to the Treasury report, “if such policy exclusion is also applied to losses arising from events other than acts of terrorism.” Such exclusions are “common,” according to a June 20 RAND report on terrorism insurance. In 2003 and 2004, according to Treasury, about 35 percent of insurers reported including WMD coverage in some Terrorism Risk Insurance Act-eligible policies, and the percentage was increasingly composed of the largest insurance companies.  At the same time, however, less than 3 percent of policyholders reported having WMD coverage. That figure “contrasts with the results from the insurer survey,” Treasury said. The “dominant reason” cited for not buying such coverage was “that policyholders believed that they were not at risk.” RAND, which found in its report that continuing government measures are needed to spur terrorism insurance availability, highlighted the particular risks represented by the dearth of coverage against weapons of mass destruction. “The possibility of a radiological attack in the United States exposes perhaps the greatest weakness of the terrorism insurance market,” the policy institute said. “The overall economic ramifications of a successful dirty bomb attack occurring on American soil would be enormous, irrespective of the number of people actually killed.” As a result, according to the report, “There is good reason for insurers, who generally seek to avoid open-ended liability, to wish to exclude radiological attacks.” Lawmakers will be faced next month with a decision about whether and how to tailor any extension of the program to encourage a greater prevalence of WMD policies. “A strong incentive is needed,” Pritzker Realty Group President Penny Pritzker said at the House subcommittee hearing last week. Center for American Progress national-security expert Andrew Grotto, who like RAND has expressed particular concern over the radiological threat, said one approach could be to require, rather than just allow, insurers to cover WMD under the government backstop program. “You would condition receipt [of government reinsurance payments] by the insurance company on whether or not they offered coverage to a radiological instance,” Grotto said this week. RAND suggested in its report that Washington could offer subsidies to buyers of insurance to counteract high prices for WMD coverage or could reduce the deductibles paid by insurers under the government program in hopes of increasing their willingness to accept more risk exposure. Despite citing the WMD-coverage gap as evidence they need more support, insurance industry representatives have kept mostly mum about how the program’s extension should address the lack of WMD coverage. The Coalition to Insure Against Terrorism has expressed skepticism that insurers would support any expansion of the risks they run. As a result, coalition spokesman DePoy said, “I’d have a hard time believing that they would drastically alter this program to include any kind of a facilitation of a product for weapons of mass destruction.” Grotto agreed, “I don’t think that the insurance industry would support including [new] things, because it just raises their exposure.” In such a climate, RAND indicated that the best solution might be to bypass insurers altogether by offering government-supplied WMD coverage directly to policyholders. “Extension to cover CBRN attacks poses significant challenges for insurance and may be appropriately covered through a direct government program,” the institute said. Back to top       Belize, U.S. Sign PSI Ship-Boarding Agreement Belize and the United States yesterday signed a reciprocal ship-boarding agreement under the auspices of the U.S.-led Proliferation Security Initiative, an effort aimed at interdicting illicit WMD-related shipments on the high seas, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, July 26). Croatia, Cyprus, Liberia, the Marshall Islands and Panama have also signed ship-boarding agreements with the United States (Agence France-Presse, Aug. 4). Meanwhile, Japan announced yesterday it would deploy a naval destroyer and two patrol aircraft to a PSI drill scheduled to begin Aug. 15 in Singapore, the Daily Yomiuri reported. The deployment would mark the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s first participation overseas in a PSI exercise, according to the Yomiuri. Australian, British, Singaporean and U.S. forces are also expected to take part in the drill (Daily Yomiuri, Aug. 5). Back to top       Prototype of WMD-Detecting Robot Unveiled Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh yesterday unveiled a prototype of a remote control robot that could one day protect soldiers by searching out chemical, biological or nuclear weapons, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported (see GSN, June 24). Designers of the Gladiator Technical Unmanned Ground Vehicle also hope that the vehicle can carry out search and destroy missions and reduce dangers posed by mines, trenches, surprise attacks and craters, according to the Post-Gazette (Corilyn Shropshire, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Aug. 5). Back to top

EU Presents Proposal to Iran, Calls for IAEA Board Meeting The European Union today presented Iran with its latest proposal to resolve the crisis over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, but officials said the prospects for any final agreement were remote, the Associated Press reported. Tensions remained high as the EU nations called a special meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s governing board to coordinate international response to Iran’s threat to restart its uranium conversion plant next week (see GSN, Aug. 4). French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy called the EU offer “ambitious and generous,” but one expert in France said the proposal would not change the EU position that Iran must end its uranium enrichment program, which Tehran has vowed to continue. “Nothing indicates that this offer will be fundamentally different from the various proposals that have been floated around in the past six months,” said Bruno Tetrais of the Foundation for Strategic Research (Angela Doland, Associated Press/WINKTV.com, June 29). Under the proposal, Iran would be allowed to acquire fuel for its nuclear energy program and would then be obliged to send the spent fuel overseas for disposal, according to the New York Times. Western diplomats familiar with the detailed proposal said it also includes offers of technology sharing, trade deals and security guarantees to Tehran. In return, the European Union expects Tehran to permanently end all uranium conversion and enrichment activities, improve its human rights record and assist the West in fighting terrorism, the Times reported. When told about the contents of the offer yesterday, a senior Iranian official said it would likely be unacceptable to the Iranian leadership. “If the proposal asks Iran to continue its suspension indefinitely, let alone renouncing these activities, I think it will be dead on arrival,” said the official. “I don't think it’s prudent for the Europeans to make this presentation, because it shows that they have not moved their position from that of two years ago.” Bush administration officials said they approved of the proposal (Steven Weisman, New York Times, Aug. 4). Senior Iranian officials said today that the EU-Iran diplomatic process would be over if the proposal did not allow for a resumption of uranium conversion work at the Isfahan facility, the Financial Times reported. “According to our information the EU proposal does not include resumption of conversion activities in Isfahan,” said one senior official. “This means the end of this round of talks with Europe. Iran has decided to resume activities in Isfahan and no one at home and abroad can stop it,” he said (Bozorgmehr/Dinmore, Financial Times, Aug. 5). One analyst said the new U.S. National Intelligence Estimate on Iran, which states that it would take 10 years for Iran to develop an atomic bomb, undercuts the case for urgent action, the Christian Science Monitor reported today. “The U.S. and its allies are not in a position to talk about real, meaningful measures to punish Iran (for proceeding with its nuclear program),” said Daniel Brumberg, an Iran expert at Georgetown University. The European Union is “trying to play it tough, but the Iranians know it would be difficult for them to ever go through with it,” Brumberg said. Bush administration officials have not collectively set on a course of action, according to the Monitor (Howard LaFranchi, Christian Science Monitor, Aug. 5). Meanwhile, Iranian Ambassador to Russia Gholamreza Ansari said the Bushehr nuclear power plant under construction in Iran with assistance from Moscow is expected to be commissioned in June 2006, ITAR-Tass reported today. “Under the schedule that the sides have recently agreed on, the nuclear power plant will be commissioned in June 2006, and it will begin generating power for the Iranian national power grid by the end of 2006,” Ansari said (Valery Agarkov, ITAR-Tass, Aug. 5). Back to top       South Korea Offers Last-Ditch Proposal at Nuke Talks U.S. and North Korean delegations to six-nation nuclear talks in Beijing met again this morning, with South Korea offering a last-minute proposal in an effort to salvage the negotiations, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, Aug. 4). Details of the proposal were unavailable, according to AFP. “Drafting work will continue because we felt a possible need for a new draft after South Korea, North Korea and the U.S. held a trilateral meeting yesterday,” said the top South Korean negotiator, Deputy Foreign Minister Song Min-soon (Agence France-Presse/Yahoo!News, Aug. 5). North Korea and the United States failed at their meeting today to come to an agreement on Pyongyang’s demand that it be allowed to retain a civilian nuclear program, Reuters reported today (Reuters, Aug. 5). “All countries in the world have the right to peaceful nuclear activities,” said North Korean envoy Kim Kye Gwan. “We are not a defeated nation in war and we have committed no crime so why should we not be able to conduct peaceful nuclear activities?” In the 11th day of negotiations, delegates acknowledged that the talks might end without a joint statement, Reuters reported. “I believe we are at the time of birth pains,” said top Japanese envoy Kenichiro Sasae. “All the countries concerned have the will to reach an agreement and we are passing through the final process of difficulties.” U.S. envoy Christopher Hill said the talks were winding down. “I would say this game really kind of got into extra innings. We are getting very much to the end of the process,” Hill said. “I tell you the good news is we know what the substantive differences are,” he said (Ueno/Kim, Reuters, Aug. 5). Back to top       Nuclear Smuggler Gets Three-Year Sentence A South Africa-based businessman who sold nuclear-related technology to firms in India and Pakistan was sentenced by a U.S. court yesterday to three years in prison (see GSN, April 11). Asher Karni could have received up to a nine-year sentence, but his cooperation with law enforcement in a large-scale nuclear trafficking investigation led to a plea deal, according to the Los Angeles Times. Karni sold controlled items at least 17 times to firms in Pakistan and India, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Bratt. U.S. investigators have not identified the end user of 200 precision electrical switches, or “triggered spark gaps,” sold by Karni to an associate in Pakistan, Humayun Khan, according to the Times. It is also not known what became of the components, which could be used to detonate nuclear weapons, Bratt said. Bratt said Pakistan probably purchased the equipment for its own use, for assistance to another country with a nuclear program or for assistance to a group that that backed “jihadist elements.” “The choices for the true recipient of the triggered spark gaps are not comforting,” he said (Josh Meyer, Los Angeles Times, Aug. 5). Back to top       India, Pakistan Nuclear Talks Begin India and Pakistan today began negotiations on a formal agreement for advance notification of missile tests, Reuters reported (see GSN, Aug. 2). “If it is finalized, you will know day after tomorrow. Certainly, there has been an exchange of drafts and discussions,” Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said yesterday. The negotiators are also expected to flesh out an informal agreement made a year ago to establish a nuclear hot line between their foreign ministries, Reuters reported. One Indian analyst said there were some fundamental differences between the two nations that the two-day talks were unlikely to bridge. “There is an asymmetry between Pakistan and India on nuclear weapons use. We have committed to a no-first-use while they have not,” said strategic affairs analyst Jasjit Singh. “Because of this, talks will reach a plateau after a while” (Kamil Zaheer, Reuters, Aug. 5). Back to top

Florida Inmate Sentenced to Life for Anthrax Threat A Florida man was sentenced to life in prison and ordered to receive mental treatment Wednesday for threatening U.S. President George W. Bush, Florida Governor Jeb Bush and government workers with anthrax, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, Dec. 13, 2004). Roger Evans pleaded guilty in December to threatening to use a weapon of mass destruction against federal property, among other charges. He is already serving 50 years for robbery, armed robbery and escape, according to AP. Evans and Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh are the only two people to be charged with threatening to use a weapon of mass destruction on federal land.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Swaim told the court that Evans threatened him with botulism in a letter last week. Evans’ defense attorney also received a threatening letter, and removed himself from the case prior to sentencing (Associated Press/New York Times, Aug. 5). Meanwhile, a U.S. National Institutes of Health employee who threatened the Broward Country, Fla., Property Appraiser’s Office with anthrax was ordered by a judge yesterday not to contact the office, Associated Press reported (see GSN, Aug. 2). U.S. District Judge Lurano Snow allowed Michelle Ledgister to remain free on $10,000 bond, according to AP. Ledgister allegedly left a message on the appraiser’s office saying: “You guys have anthrax spores once again, so do be careful. Toodles” (Associated Press/Bradenton Herald, Aug. 4).  The judge restricted Ledgister’s travel to Maryland and South Florida and ordered her to appear in court Aug. 24 to enter a plea, the Sun-Sentinel reported (Buddy Nevins, Sun-Sentinel, Aug. 5). Back to top       New Hampshire Postal Facility Gets Anthrax Detector The U.S. Postal Service processing facility in Manchester, N.H., has received a system capable of detecting anthrax in the mail, WMUR reported yesterday (see GSN, Aug. 2) The Biohazard Detection System is scheduled to begin operating Monday (WMUR, Aug. 4)   Back to top

Airborne Laser Tests Completed A round of flight tests has concluded on the U.S. Airborne Laser program, which would detect, track and destroy ballistic missiles, the Wichita Business Journal reported Wednesday (see GSN, July 28). The modified Boeing 747 was tested at Edwards Air Force base in California and is being transported to Boeing facilities in Kansas. A company spokesman said the Airborne Laser completed flight tests measured the system’s ability to select and track targets. Boeing did not say when the system would arrive in Kansas. Boeing expects to spend six months strengthening the back of the aircraft so that it can hold additional weight from the system (Ken Vandruff, Wichita Business Journal, Aug. 3). Meanwhile, New Mexico Senators Pete Domenici (R) and Jeff Bingaman (D) yesterday asked Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to consider housing the laser system at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico, the Associated Press reported. The base is among 33 set to close under the Base Realignment and Closure program. “A strategic asset like the Airborne Laser program is best suited in a rural area with plenty of airspace and sufficient infrastructure to support a significant amount of personnel and equipment,” Domenici said. “It appears to me that Cannon Air Force Base would be a perfect fit” (Associated Press/Clovis News Journal, Aug. 5).   Back to top

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