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DECEMBER
20, 2001 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today participated in a Congressional briefing on recent actions by the Bush Administration regarding the Biological Weapons Convention. The briefing was organized by U.S. Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA), ranking member on the Government Reform Committee, and sponsored by the Federation of American Scientists, 20/20 Vision, and the Council for a Livable World. Below is Schakowsky's statement: "Biological weapons exist, and various nations have had and continue to have biological weapons programs. The threat of biological terror has now become a reality for those of us on Capitol Hill and elsewhere. "Under
the control of the Bush Administration, the United States has, unfortunately,
gone in the wrong direction on the Biological Weapons Convention.
Given the current situation, this Administration should redouble its efforts
to safeguard Americans from potential biological weapons attacks.
The international coalition that the Administration has assembled in the
war on terrorism presented the Administration with a golden opportunity
to make some real progress on this subject and I am disappointed that it
has not taken that opportunity.
"I am extremely disappointed at the actions last week in Geneva by the U.S. delegation to the international conference negotiating inspections under the Biological Weapons Convention. These actions have insulted our allies and have put this nation at greater risk. "Even before September 11, the Bush Administration made clear its unwillingness to seriously engage with the international community on this issue. Except to make clear its opposition to measures originally put forth by the Clinton Administration that would have strengthened the Biological Weapons Convention and protected this country. Instead, the Bush Administration put the interests of their friends in the pharmaceutical industry first. "I
want to share with all of you an exert from a review of the negotiations
in Geneva. It was written by Professor Barry Kellman the Director
of Depaul University's International Weapons Control Center:
The Biological Weapons Convention Review Conference ended abruptly on December 7, 2001, when the United States delegation submitted a last-minute poison pill
"Saddam Hussein must be very happy indeed. "And with that, I want to again thank all of our participants and Mr. Waxman. I look forward to this important discussion." |
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