-Caveat Lector-
"... an important factor in President Clinton's recent decision to
reverse course and forgo destruction of [US military] stockpiles of the
smallpox virus."
US Suspects Some of Smallpox Weapon
NEW YORK (AP) - Government officials say Russia, Iraq and North Korea are
probably concealing the deadly smallpox virus for military use, The New York
Times reports in Sunday editions.
A secret federal intelligence assessment was completed late last year. It was
based on evidence that includes disclosures by a senior Soviet defector,
blood samples from the North Korean soldiers that show smallpox vaccinations
and the fairly recent manufacture of smallpox vaccine by Iraq, according to
the report.
Officials told the Times that the assessment was an important factor in
President Clinton's recent decision to reverse course and forgo destruction
of American stockpiles of the virus.
Besides the United States, only Russia retains openly declared stocks of the
virus. The intelligence assessment concludes that Russia is most likely
hiding additional stocks of the virus at military sites, the Times said.
Although the United States has about 56,000 troops stationed near Iraq and
North Korea and is periodically bombing Iraq, the officials told the
newspaper there are appears to be no imminent military threat involving the
virus.
The virus that causes smallpox is known as variola. It ravaged the globe,
killing millions and crippling man survivors. Victims had high fever, nausea
and a pronounced rash.
The United States unilaterally renounced germ warfare in 1969 and lobbied for
a 1972 international treaty banning such arms that more than 100 countries,
including the Soviet Union, signed.
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