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DATE=3/17/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-228302
TITLE=COHEN-WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION (L)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  THE UNITED STATES IS STRENGTHENING ITS DEFENSES AGAINST 
CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ATTACKS ON AMERICAN CITIES.  V-O-A'S JIM 
RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON, THE NEW MEASURES WILL MAKE 
THOUSANDS MORE SPECIALLY TRAINED PERSONNEL AVAILABLE TO COPE WITH
SUCH DIFFICULT SITUATIONS.
TEXT:  SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WILLIAM COHEN SAYS THERE IS A GROWING
THREAT THAT TERRORISTS COULD USE GERM OR CHEMICAL MUNITIONS TO 
ATTACK AMERICAN CITIES.  HE SAID THE BOMB THAT KILLED SIX AND 
INJURED ONE THOUSAND AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER, AND THE DEADLY 
NERVE (SARIN) GAS ATTACK ON THE TOKYO SUBWAY COULD BE PREVIEWS OF
LARGER AND DEADLIER FUTURE ATTACKS.
SECRETARY COHEN SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS TAKING THE FIRST STEP 
TOWARD ORGANIZING FORCES TO COPE WITH THESE THREATS.
                       /// COHEN ACT  ///
         AND TODAY I AM ANNOUNCING THE CREATION OF THE MILITARY'S
         FIRST EVER RAPID ASSESSMENT TEAMS TO ASSURE THAT THE 
         DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE IS EVEN MORE PREPARED.  WE ARE 
         GOING TO ESTABLISH 10 SEPARATE SPECIAL NATIONAL GUARD 
         TEAMS DEDICATED TO ASSISTING LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN EVENT 
         OF A CHEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL ATTACK.
                         /// END ACT ///
MR. COHEN SAYS THESE TRAINED EXPERTS WILL ARRIVE QUICKLY AND GIVE
LOCAL AND NATIONAL OFFICIALS AN ACCURATE ASSESSMENT OF THE KIND 
OF AGENT THAT IS KILLING OR SICKENING PEOPLE.  BIOLOGICAL WARFARE
EXPERTS SAY GERM WARFARE ATTACKS MIGHT  NOT  BE NOTICED UNTIL 
PEOPLE BECOME SICK, WHEN IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO OFFER EFFECTIVE 
TREATMENT.  PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THE NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE
MILITARY FORCES ARE GOOD CHOICES FOR THESE JOBS BECAUSE THEY ARE 
MOSTLY BASED IN THE UNITED STATES.
MR COHEN SAYS OTHER MILITARY UNITS THAT ALREADY HAVE 
RESPONSIBILITIES FOR DEALING WITH CHEMICAL OR GERM ATTACKS WILL 
GET ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND RESOURCES.  HE SAYS IN THE NEXT YEAR,
FOUR THOUSAND PEOPLE WILL GET SUCH TRAINING. 
MR. COHEN SAYS MORE THAN TWO DOZEN NATIONS HAVE CHEMICAL OR 
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS OR PROGRAMS TO DEVELOP THEM.  HE CALLS ATTACKS
FROM SUCH WEAPONS A GROWING WORLDWIDE THREAT.  HE ALSO SAYS SUCH 
THREATS COME  NOT  JUST FROM NATIONS, BUT FROM ORGANIZED CRIME 
GROUPS, AND MILITANT ETHNIC OR RELIGIOUS FACTIONS AS WELL.  
(SIGNED).
NEB/JR/WDC/KL  
17-Mar-98 4:09 PM EST (2109 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.