|
American Gulf War Veterans Association
P.O. Box 85, Versailles, MO 65084 1-(800) 231-7631 * FAX (573) 378-5998 * http://www.gulfwarvets.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 19, 2000 Contact: Joyce Riley, R.N., B.S.N. Capt. USAF inactive reserve (573) 378-6049 NEWS RELEASE BIOLOGICAL AGENTS DISPERSED IN OPEN-AIR RELEASES AT FT. LEONARD WOOD! Citizens of Missouri and surrounding states are outraged to find that biological materials have been released into the open air on a regular basis at Fort Leonard Wood this past year in "training exercises." Informed consent of the general population has not been obtained in any of these releases. The biological agent utilized in these exercises is "Bacillus subtilis," also known as "Bacillus globigii" (BG), and is being used because it closely resembles anthrax and can be detected by the Biological Integrated Detection System (BIDS) units at Fort Leonard Wood. According to Robin Byrom, with the Chemical School Materiel and Combat Development Department at Ft. Leonard Wood, "There have been four courses, they started in.I believe January of this year and there is ongoing a class at Fort Leonard Wood right now!" Although Army officials claim that these simulants are "virtually harmless," Congressional records report there is no such thing as a safe biological simulant. BG is known to cause spontaneous abortions in sheep and cattle, upper respiratory infections, eye infections, and can affect those with compromised immune systems such as the elderly, the chronically ill and the very young. Senate reports entitled "Biological Testing Involving Human Subjects, 1977" and "Human Drug Testing by the CIA," establish a clear and consistent track record by the Department of Defense of deceiving and manipulating the general public in regard to the development and use of biological and chemical agents. The Department of the Army, is invited to attend. An emergency public "Town Hall" hearing will be held at the Versailles Middle School in Versailles, MO. on Thursday, October 26, 2000, at 7PM to address the release of these pathogens and what action must be taken to immediately stop the Department of the Army from continuing this practice. PUBLIC OFFICIALS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, MEDICAL PERSONNEL, LIVESTOCK RANCHERS AND ALL CONCERNED CITIZENS URGED TO ATTEND! EMERGENCY PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD AT VERSAILLES MIDDLE SCHOOL! Citizens of Missouri and surrounding states are outraged to learn that Fort Leonard Wood has been releasing biological agents into the environment in "training exercises" for biological detection since January, 2000! The simulant used is "Bacillus subtilis" also known as "Bacillus globigii" (BG) because it closely resembles anthrax. This biological agent is known to cause spontaneous abortions in sheep and cattle, upper respiratory infections, eye infections, and can affect those with compromised immune systems such as the elderly, the chronically ill and the very young. The general public has not been informed of these "training exercises" nor have they given their consent to be exposed to these pathogens! The bacteria being released can travel for hundreds of miles and the spores can remain active for decades! The Department of the Army is invited to attend. Could this be why we have such an increase in upper respiratory infections in Morgan County and the state of Missouri? All public officials, law enforcement, medical personnel, livestock ranchers and concerned citizens are urged to attend! This affects everyone! Where: Versailles Middle School, Hwy 52, Versailles, MO. When: 7PM, Thursday, October 26, 2000Information: Joyce Riley vonKleist, (573) 378-6049 |
