Bush Proposes Steps to Strengthen Biological Weapons Convention
(President says biological weapons threat is growing) (710)
President Bush November 1 proposed a series of steps to be taken by
all parties to strengthen the 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons
Convention (BWC).
"We know that the scourge of biological weapons has not been
eradicated. Instead, the threat is growing," Bush said in a statement
issued by the White House. Rogue states and terrorists possess these
weapons "and are willing to use them," he added.
Bush said the United States is committed to strengthening the BWC "as
part of a comprehensive strategy for combating the complex threats of
weapons of mass destruction and terrorism."
With this objective in mind, he said, his administration is proposing
that all parties to the BWC enact strict national criminal legislation
against prohibited biological weapons activities, establish an
effective United Nations procedure for investigating suspicious
outbreaks, establish procedures for addressing BWC compliance
concerns, commit to improving international disease control, establish
sound national oversight mechanisms, devise a solid framework for
bioscientists, and promote responsible conduct in the use of
pathogenic organisms.
Following is the text of the president's statement:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
November 1, 2001
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
Strengthening the International Regime against Biological Weapons
Disease has long been the deadliest enemy of mankind. Infectious
diseases make no distinctions among people and recognize no borders.
We have fought the causes and consequences of disease throughout
history and must continue to do so with every available means. All
civilized nations reject as intolerable the use of disease and
biological weapons as instruments of war and terror.
For almost thirty years, the vast majority of nations has banned all
biological weapons, in accordance with the 1972 Biological and Toxin
Weapons Convention (BWC). This landmark accord -- now with 144 nations
as parties -- prohibits the possession of all biological weapons.
Before the BWC, the United States had independently and
unconditionally renounced the possession and use of biological
weapons. The United States unilaterally destroyed its biological
weapons stockpiles and dismantled or converted to peaceful uses the
facilities that had been used for developing and producing them.
Today, we know that the scourge of biological weapons has not been
eradicated. Instead, the threat is growing. Since September 11,
America and others have been confronted by the evils these weapons can
inflict. This threat is real and extremely dangerous. Rogue states and
terrorists possess these weapons and are willing to use them.
The United States is committed to strengthening the Biological Weapons
Convention (BWC) as part of a comprehensive strategy for combating the
complex threats of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism. With
this objective, my Administration is proposing that all Parties:
-- Enact strict national criminal legislation against prohibited BW
activities with strong extradition requirements;
-- Establish an effective United Nations procedure for investigating
suspicious outbreaks or allegations of biological weapons use;
-- Establish procedures for addressing BWC compliance concerns;
-- Commit to improving international disease control and to enhance
mechanisms for sending expert response teams to cope with outbreaks;
-- Establish sound national oversight mechanisms for the security and
genetic engineering of pathogenic organisms;
-- Devise a solid framework for bioscientists in the form of a code of
ethical conduct that would have universal recognition; and
-- Promote responsible conduct in the study, use, modification, and
shipment of pathogenic organisms.
I have directed my Administration to consult with our friends and
allies, as well as with Congress, industry, and non-governmental
experts, on these proposals. We look forward to hearing the new ideas
on how best to achieve our common aim of eliminating biological
weapons.
Our objective is to fashion an effective international approach to
strengthen the Biological Weapons Convention. The ideas we propose do
not constitute a complete solution to the use of pathogens and
biotechnology for evil purposes. However, if we can strengthen the
Convention against the threat of biological weapons, we will
contribute to the security of the people of the United States and
mankind as a whole.
(end text)
