-Caveat Lector- ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <undisclosed-recipients:> Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2000 11:45 AM Subject: Moves on 1960s Military Tests > Moves on 1960s Military Tests > > .c The Associated Press > > By ROBERT BURNS > > WASHINGTON (AP) - The Pentagon has agreed to search its records for the names of ships and crew members who participated in a series of 1960s exercises designed to test ships' ability to withstand attack from chemical and biological weapons. > > The Pentagon notified Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., of the decision last week, following a request by the Department of Veterans Affairs in August to provide information that could help the department process claims filed by veterans who believe they suffered health damage from their participation in the tests. > > The decision to provide the names and other information was first reported Wednesday by CBS News. > > The fact that the exercises were held has been known previously, although originally the work was classified secret. > > The tests were among 113 conducted as part of a project called SHAD, or Shipboard Hazard and Defense. Some apparently involved the use of chemical and biological agents, although the Pentagon said the two of interest to the Department of Veterans Affairs used simulants rather than live chemical or biological agents. > > In a letter dated Aug. 23, Army Maj. Gen. Joseph M. Cosumano told the Department of Veterans Affairs that both simulants in exercises ``August Gold'' in 1963 and ``Copperhead'' in 1965 ``are considered by the medical community to not pose a health risk to man.'' He also said that all participants were briefed in advance on the details of each exercise > > The two simulants used were bacillus globigii and zinc cadmimum sulfide, which is a florescent powder. Bacillus globigii is found worldwide in soils and on root vegetables such as potatoes and carrots. Los Alamos National Laboratory said last year when preparing to use bacillus globigii in outdoor tests of detectors for airborne biological agents that the simulant is harmless to humans except the extremely ill. > > In a reply letter to Cosumano, Thompson thanked the Pentagon for agreeing to search classified and unclassified documents for ship names and logs, crew rosters, test results and medical records that may identify service members who participated in the tests. > > Thompson said the Pentagon also agreed to provide a list of the chemical, biological and other agents used in the tests and to consider waiving secrecy agreements that test participants may have been required to sign. > > ``These steps represent a significant improvement in the way in which our government can assist those service members who participated in these tests and who, as a result, may be suffering from medical problems,'' Thompson wrote. > > AP-NY-09-21-00 1244EDT > > Copyright 2000 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without prior written authority of The Associated Press. > > > <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
