Global Security Newswire

A three-day multilateral exercise designed to help prepare countries to intercept illicit WMD shipments began today in Australia, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, March 27).

Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States are taking part in the sixth drill under the U.S.-led Proliferation Security Initiative. Observers from 26 other nations are also present, according to AFP.

Australian Defense Minister Brendan Nelson said there was a “very real threat” from terrorist groups.

“The reality is that there are people throughout the world who are committed to inflicting as much harm on innocent people as they possibly can,” Nelson said. 

“Weapons of mass destruction — biological, nuclear, chemical and radiological — are very effective ways of doing that,” he added.

There have been multiple interdictions of WMD-related shipments, according to the Australian Defense Department, but many interceptions are not publicized due to the sensitive intelligence and diplomatic issues involved (Agence France-Presse, April 6).