Chemical Detectors to Be Deployed for Oscars

Authorities plan to deploy chemical agent detectors and take other security measures Sunday against a possible terrorism incident at the Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, Agence France-Presse reported today (see GSN, March 7).

“There’s no specific threat against the Oscars, but it’s something we’re always prepared for,” said Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Paul Vernon.

“The potential for someone trying to disrupt the Oscars has always been high,” he told AFP.

Dog units, snipers and a fire department unit trained to detect chemical agents are expected to be deployed alongside thousands of police officers for the ceremony, officials said (Agence France-Presse/Yahoo!News, Feb. 28).

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U.S. Intel Chiefs Say Terrorism, WMD Top Threats

By Joe Fiorill
Global Security Newswire

WASHINGTON — The heads of U.S. civilian and military intelligence today told senators that terrorism is the greatest threat to the United States, with weapons of mass destruction right behind (see GSN, Feb. 7).

The two threats intersect in al-Qaeda's continued WMD quest, according to National Intelligence Director John Negroponte.

“Terrorism is the pre-eminent threat to our citizens, to our homeland, to our interests and to our friends,” Negroponte told the Senate Armed Services Committee during the public portion of a hearing that later went behind closed doors.

Poverty and strife continue to fuel a “global jihadist movement,” Negroponte said, and al-Qaeda will continue to pursue “high-impact attacks” as long as its central command exists and affiliated organizations continue to operate.

“Al-Qaeda remains interested in acquiring chemical, radiological, biological and nuclear materials or weapons,” Negroponte said. He acknowledged. Though, that conventional attacks by the terrorist group remain more likely.

Such concerns, combined with the controversial nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea, make weapons of mass destruction the second-greatest threat to U.S. security, Negroponte said.

Of the WMD threats, Negroponte said, “we are most concerned about the threatening and destabilizing effect of nuclear proliferation.”

Negroponte said the United States does not know what conditions would lead North Korea to renounce nuclear weapons. He and Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lt. Gen. Michael Maples in testimony expressed particular concern over Iran’s ballistic-missile programs.

“Iran is developing ballistic missiles capable of striking Tel Aviv, and reporting suggests that Iran is acquiring longer-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching central Europe,” Maples said.

Maples said that “terrorism remains the most serious threat to our nation.”  He said al-Qaeda and affiliated groups are especially dangerous.

”Several terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda, remain interested in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons,” Maples said.

In addition to echoing Negroponte’s concerns about the nuclear programs of North Korea and Iran, Maples ventured that “the number of Chinese nuclear-armed theater and strategic systems will increase” and that Iran has biological- and chemical-weapon “capabilities in various stages of development.”

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Data Lacking in Coast Guard Review of Port Deal

Documents released by a Senate committee yesterday indicate that “intelligence gaps” created difficulty in the U.S. Coast Guard’s effort to review a deal in which an Arab company would take over six major U.S. ports, USA Today reported (see GSN, Feb. 24).

These gaps made it difficult to determine whether the deal would create a security threat, according to the documents, released by Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins (R-Maine). Collins said the Coast Guard report, which was prepared in December while the deal with Dubai Ports was being negotiated, raised “red flags.”

The Coast Guard in the report did not differentiate between United Arab Emirates-based Dubai Ports and current ports operator Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation, a British company.

“There are many intelligence gaps, concerning the potential for DPW or P&O assets to support terrorist operations, that precludes an overall threat assessment” of the deal, according to the report. “The breadth of the intelligence gaps also infer potential unknown threats.”

Coast Guard spokesman Jeff Carter said the portion of the document released by Collins was taken out of context. He said the review found that “this transaction, when taking into account strong security assurances by DP World, does not compromise U.S. security.”

The portion of the report released by Collins raises questions on security operations, workers’ backgrounds and “foreign influence” at the companies. Carter said Dubai Ports and the current port operator are included because Peninsular and Oriental executives would remain involved in operating the ports if the deal is approved.

Collins said the report raises disturbing questions.

“This report suggests there were significant and troubling intelligence gaps,” she said.

Senator Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and other senators yesterday introduced legislation to give Congress the final say on approval of the deal (Stone/Hall, USA Today, Feb. 27).

Senators opposed to the deal held a rally yesterday in New Jersey, blasting President George W. Bush for being weak on national security, Agence France-Presse reported.

“We’re here to stand for a very simple proposition; our ports should not be in the operational hands of a foreign government,” said Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.).

“It’s about making sure we keep America safe. What we don’t want unloaded here is a chemical, biological or nuclear weapon,” he added (Agence France-Presse/Yahoo!News, Feb. 27).

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IAEA Says Iran Determined to Expand Nuclear Program

Iran shows no signs of willingness to pull back its uranium enrichment program, even as it pursues negotiations with Russia aimed at curtailing such activity, the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a report released yesterday (see GSN, Feb. 27).

The confidential 11-page report, prepared by Director General Mohamed ElBaradei for consideration at Monday’s meeting of the agency’s governing board, says Iran plans to start setting up thousands of centrifuges for enrichment this year, the Associated Press reported.

Diplomats have said Tehran is already operating a 10-centrifuge cascade, and Iran is finishing maintenance on 20 more centrifuges, according to ElBaradei’s report. “Commencement of the installation of the first 3,000 … (centrifuges) is planned for the fourth quarter of 2006,” it says.

Iran is believed now to have parts for 1,500 centrifuges, which could produce enough highly enriched uranium for one crude atomic bomb, AP reported.

ElBaradei indicated in the report that Iran must drastically increase cooperation with his agency so that experts can determine whether its past clandestine nuclear activities were geared toward weapons production. 

The report also says that the agency’s probe has yet to reveal “any diversion of nuclear material to nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.” However, due to insufficient cooperation from Iran, ElBaradei remains unable “to conclude that there are no undeclared nuclear materials or activities in Iran.”

“Without full transparency … the agency’s ability to reconstruct the history of Iran’s past programs and verify the correctness and completeness of statements made by Iran … will be limited and questions about the past and current direction of Iran’s nuclear program will continue to be raised,” the report states (George Jahn, Associated Press/Yahoo!News, Feb. 28).

The report also says that Iranian officials this week said that nuclear weapons-related documents contained in a laptop computer acquired in 2004 by U.S. intelligence were forgeries, the Washington Post reported today.

The documents appear to indicate that Iran was trying to modify ballistic missiles to carry nuclear warheads. 

Iran also offered agency inspectors written evidence that it had purchased sensitive equipment through official channels rather than from the black market established by former top Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, the report says.

The report also cites “inconsistencies” regarding plutonium experiments conducted by Iran several years ago, as well as the purchase of equipment Tehran had previously denied having, the Post reported (Moore/Linzer, Washington Post, Feb. 28).

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said the report found no evidence of a weapons program, Agence France-Presse reported today.

“I think 50 percent of the case is quite clear: There is no evidence, no reports, no documents and no inspections [that] shows that any diversion is there in our peaceful activities of nuclear” energy, he said (Agence France-Presse I/Yahoo!News, Feb. 28).

Meanwhile, Western officials questioned an announcement by Iran yesterday that a compromise nuclear deal had been reached with Russia, AP reported.

“It seems there has been no decisive progress,” said German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The announcement is “more chaff being thrown up by the Iranians ahead of the Board of Governors meeting,” said U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli (Jahn, Associated Press, Feb. 28).

Iranian Supreme National Security Council chief Ali Larijani is scheduled to lead a delegation for further talks tomorrow in Moscow, AFP reported.

Iran announced that it would only accept Russia’s compromise proposal if Tehran could continue its nuclear fuel cycle research, AFP reported.

The offer “must include a guarantee that nuclear fuel will be supplied to Iran, (allows) research activities to continue and recognizes Iran’s right to conduct industrial-scale research,” Supreme National Security Council spokesman Hossein Entezami said yesterday.

However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov seemed to contradict that position, according to AFP.

“We are convinced that, among other components of this effort, a moratorium on enrichment of uranium in Iran is required,” Lavrov said yesterday.

China indicated willingness to take part in the Russian deal, AFP reported today.

“We would like to see (Iran-Russia) cooperation and we would like to play a constructive role,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao (Agence France-Presse I, Feb. 28).

The United States said yesterday that Iran had one week leading up to the IAEA board meeting to reassure the international community on its nuclear intentions, AFP reported.

“We’ve said that during this time the regime in Iran has an opportunity to change their ways and change their behavior when it comes to the nuclear program,” said White House spokesman Scott McClellan (Olivier Knox, Agence France-Presse II/Turkish Press, Feb. 27).

Mottaki, meeting in Japan with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, proposed that Tokyo participate in Iran’s nuclear program, AFP reported today.

“I requested the Japanese prime minister for the participation of Japanese companies in our 10 to 15 nuclear plant establishments because we have to create 20,000 megawatts of electricity through nuclear power plants,” he said.

Koizumi, however, seemed to decline.

“We expect Iran to gain the trust of the international community because Japan developed after its World War II defeat without any resources. We think Iran can develop even more considering its resources,” an official quoted Koizumi as telling Mottaki.

Foreign Minister Taro Aso indicated that Japan’s patience with Iran could be limited.

“If things carry on like this, the issue will be referred to the U.N. Security Council,” Aso said. “Japan has been getting on with Iran for [a] long time. But if Iran makes an enemy of all members of the Security Council, there would be limitations on our side” (Agence France-Presse III/Yahoo!News, Feb. 28).

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India Will Not Sacrifice Nuclear Program for Technology Agreement With U.S., PM Says

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told lawmakers yesterday that New Delhi would not compromise its nuclear weapons program in order to forge a nuclear technology sharing agreement with the United States, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, Feb. 27).

“No part of this process would affect or compromise our strategic (nuclear) program,” Singh said in a speech to parliament, two days before President George W. Bush visits the country.

Sixty-five percent of Indian nuclear power capacity would be placed under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards through the required separation of civilian and military facilities, Singh said. However, India’s fast-breeder reactors would be placed outside of the agency’s reach.

“Our proposed separation plan entails identifying in phases, a number of our thermal nuclear reactors as civilian facilities to be placed under IAEA safeguards, amounting to roughly 65 percent of the total installed thermal nuclear power capacity, by the end of the separation plan,” he said.

“We will ensure that no impediments are put in the way of our research and development activities. We have made it clear that we cannot accept safeguards on our indigenous fast-breeder program,” he added.

U.S. Ambassador to India David Mulford said yesterday that “every effort” was being made to complete the deal before Bush arrived.

“In the last few weeks, there have been a series of meetings and negotiations, these continue,” he said. 

“But, of course, this is a very complicated area. Both the countries are breaking new ground. We are hoping we can reach the agreement by the time the president visits here and every effort is being made to do so,” Mulford added (Agence France-Presse/Yahoo!News, Feb. 27).

The White House said yesterday that it was confident of a deal even if it was not finished by the time Bush arrived, Agence France-Presse reported.

“We've made some progress. The negotiations are ongoing.  Whether it gets done during the trip or not, we will see. But we believe it will get done,” said White House spokesman Scott McClellan (Agence France-Presse/Yahoo!News, Feb. 27).

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China Says North Korea-U.S. Distrust Impedes Talks

China today blamed the lack of trust between North Korea and the United States for impeding the resumption of six-nation talks on Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, Feb. 27).

“What is clear at the present state is that there is not enough trust between North Korea and the United States,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao.

“We hope all sides will demonstrate flexibility and work for the early resumption of the talks,” he said (Agence France-Presse, Feb. 28).

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Homeland Security Department Needs More Authority Over Chemical Plant Security, GAO Says

The U.S. Homeland Security Department needs greater authority on chemical plant security in order to prevent a catastrophic terrorist attack against a facility, the Government Accountability Office said in a report released yesterday (see GSN, Dec. 5, 2005). 

Homeland Security has identified 3,400 chemical facilities that pose the greatest threat if attacked by terrorists seeking to release toxic materials, the GAO report states.

The department has taken steps to help local authorities protect the facilities through efforts such as the Buffer Zone Protection Program, which provides security assistance to plant owners and law enforcement.

The department is also addressing security with the Chemical Sector Coordinating Council industry group and federal agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, according to the report.

While the industry has made voluntary changes to prepare for and protect against terrorism, challenges remain. Some industry groups require their members to perform vulnerability assessments, develop plans to counter those weaknesses and then face a third-party review. Others have developed security standards and provided additional assistance. 

The Homeland Security Department does not have the authority to require security assessments and upgrades at chemical plants and therefore cannot guarantee proper action is being taken. While private companies agree that legislation is needed, there is no consensus on the requirements to be included in the legislation. Points of contention include the use of safer chemicals and risk-reducing processes.

The GAO report recommends: Congress pass legislation giving Homeland Security the authority to require chemical plant security assessments; that the department quickly complete a plan to coordinate with federal, state and local government and private companies on identifying and countering threats to chemical plants; and work with the Environmental Protection Agency to determine the security benefits of installing safer technologies at facilities.

The Homeland Security Department agreed with the first two recommendations but had concerns about research into safer technologies.  The Environmental Protection Agency did not comment on the GAO report (U.S. Government Accountability Office report, Feb. 27).

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Groups Oppose Mustard Gas Burning at Tooele

Opponents of mustard agent incineration at the Tooele Chemical Agent Disposal Facility in Utah said that processing weapons carrying the substance would release toxins that “are unsafe and unacceptable,” Chemical & Engineering News reported yesterday (see GSN, Oct. 4, 2005).

The U.S. Army has asked the Utah Environmental Quality Department to allow burning of mustard gas with mercury levels of less than one part per million. Tooele plans to slow down processing speed “to barely meet federal mercury standards,” according to Craig Williams, head of the Chemical Weapons Working Group.

The Environmental Quality Department believes that because the incinerator has no filtration system, the mercury would be released into the environment during processing, said Martin Gray, manager of the department’s chemical demilitarization office. A filtration system is expected later, he said, when the Army requests to burn mustard agent with more than one part per million of mercury.

Gray believe the Army’s request “can be approved,” but added, “I can’t say it will be approved until we review public comments and perform our risk assessment.”

Gray said that if the plan meets federal standards, the department will issue a modified permit allowing for the burning. Mustard disposal is expected to begin “later this summer,” said Elizabeth Lowes, environmental manager for contractor EG&G.

Williams argued that the plan does not reduce mercury releases into the environment, but simply lengthens the release period. He claimed neutralizing mustard gas is safer than burning.

“This reflects the inadequacy of the regulation and the unwillingness of DEQ to act in the best interest of communities,” he said (Lois Ember, Chemical & Engineering News, Feb. 27).

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N.J. Lawmaker Opposes Plan to Ship VX Waste

U.S. Representative Rob Andrews (D-N.J.) said the Environmental Protection Agency’s acceptance of plans to ship wastewater from VX nerve agent neutralization to his state for disposal does not guarantee the effort will come to pass, Gannett News reported Sunday (see GSN, Feb. 27).

“I think in the end the record will show that this is not the least costly way to dispose of the [hydrolysate] and there are significant public health concerns that will conclude that we should not do this,” he said.

The waste would be transferred from the Newport Chemical Depot in Indiana to a DuPont plant in New Jersey for treatment. The treated wastewater would then be dumped into the Delaware River.

To date, 11 percent of Newport’s 250,000-gallon VX stockpile has been processed. The waste is being stored in portable containers while the shipment plans is being reviewed.

“I remain steadfastly opposed to this project. I am convinced that it never should and never will happen,” Andrews said.

The Environmental Protection Agency, in a letter explaining its position, said it “will act in our oversight role to ensure that the treated effluent meets the permit limitations set to protect the environment.”

“I think it's premature for the EPA to make that judgment," said Jane Nogaki, New Jersey Environmental Federation representative. “It begs the question of why transport a substance across miles and miles for disposal when a process for treating it on-site would be preferable” (Jeff Montgomery, Gannett News Service/Courier-Post, Feb. 26).

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Pakistan Defends Missile Names

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry yesterday responded to complaints from Afghanistan regarding the naming of Pakistan’s nuclear-capable missiles after Afghan heroes, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, Feb. 23).

Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam defended the use of the names by saying that the two countries share a common history and heroes.

“It is not to insult them but to acknowledge their contribution,” she said (Agence France-Presse, Feb. 27).

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U.S. Missile Defense System Could Spark New Nuclear Arms Race, Russian General Warns

The fledgling U.S. missile defense system would never be able to counter a large-scale missile attack and is likely only to spark another nuclear arms race, a senior Russian military official said yesterday (see GSN, Feb. 15).

“If the USA deploys a national missile defense [system], other nuclear powers may opt for increasing their nuclear missile potential, which will worsen the situation in the world,” said Col. Gen. Varfolomey Korobushin, first vice president of the Military Science Academy.

Korobushin also warned Eastern European countries not to allow Washington to deploy missile defense interceptors within their territories. He said doing so would nullify agreements “aimed at making the positions of Russia and NATO closer.”

“If Americans insist on deploying their [missile defense] elements in Eastern Europe and space, the balance of power in the nuclear missile domain will be shattered,” he added.

Korobushin also said the U.S. system would only be capable of intercepting a few missiles.

“It will never intercept hundreds of combat elements that would be sent as part of the retaliation strike,” he said (Interfax I/BBC Monitoring, Feb. 27).

Russian Major Gen. Vladimir Vasilenko said yesterday that U.S. missile defense deployment would determine the types and numbers of missiles deployed by Russia, Interfax reported yesterday.

Russia should “give priority to high-survivable mobile ground and naval missile systems when planning the development of the force in the near and far future,” Vasilenko said.

“The quality of the strategic nuclear forces of Russia will have to be significantly improved in terms of adding to their capability of penetrating [missile defense] barriers and increasing the survivability of combat elements and enhancing the properties of surveillance and control systems,” he said (Interfax II/BBC Monitoring, Feb. 27).

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