Interpol Chief Warns on Terror Readiness

Tuesday, June 15, 2003

(12:17 PM ET)

By Jonathan D. Salant

Associated Press Writer

Countries should impose their own rules regarding pathogens to reduce the chances that the material could fall into the hands of terrorists, and that research institutions should clear the people handling the substances. For example, state-sponsored researchers might have to undergo background checks, while universities should make sure they know the students and assistants helping with on-campus research.

WASHINGTON -- AP
The world's law enforcement agencies still are ill-equipped to block a bioterrorist attack and need governments and research institutions to keep better track of pathogens that can be turned into weapons, according to the head of Interpol, an international organization of police forces.

Interpol Secretary General Ronald K. Noble told an American Bar Association committee Tuesday that governments should pass laws governing the use of pathogens and that universities and researchers should make sure they know everyone working with such potentially dangerous substances.

``This is a threat that demands preventive action,'' Noble said. ``The use of a disease as a weapon would be ... the ultimate crime against humanity.''

While traditional anti-terrorism defenses involve restricting access to buildings and increasing searches of people and property, such techniques are ineffective against terrorists wielding biological weapons, Noble said.

``Terrorists can transmit lethal biological agents through any checkpoint without detection,'' he said. ``With bioterrorism, there is no profile. The weapon may be invisible to the naked eye.''
(More: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
2003 © The Associated Press.

Dan