Posted on 12/03/2002 9:50:58 PM PST by The Magical Mischief Tour
Dec. 3 American intelligence officials are investigating whether a Russian scientist transferred a particularly lethal strain of smallpox to the government of Iraq in the 1990s, ABCNEWS has confirmed.
As first reported in The New York Times, the allegations involve a smallpox strain stored at the Research Institute for Viral Preparations in Moscow. Intelligence officials say an informant has reported the institute's late director, virologist Nelja Maltseva, moved the smallpox on a trip to Iraq in 1990.
"Maltseva had access to the entire collection, in all probability, of the Russian strains of small pox at least a hundred," said Dr. Alan Selikoff, a scientist at the Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M.
The collection includes an especially deadly strain of smallpox involved in an outbreak 30 years ago in the remote Kazakhstan city of Aralsk.
Selikoff, who first revealed the Aralsk outbreak earlier this year, says it's possible that strain is also resistant to known vaccines. Even if a vaccine were available, it would not stop the spread of this rare strain of smallpox, but Selikoff said it would help limit the number of deaths.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
One note: It is certainly not a "Russian" name, "Nelja". -Probably a Mixed marriage Muslim product of Soviet society.
Or will we all celebrate diversity and prattle about the "good" mo-slimes?
Los Angeles Times
August 24, 1993
By Richard A. Serrano
The United States has begun resettling in this country up to 4,000 Iraqi soldiers who surrendered during the Persian Gulf War, an effort that has drawn criticism from a coalition of congressmen who believe the prisoners are receiving special treatment never awarded returning American soldiers.
The U.S. government is paying between $4,000 and $7,000 to relocate each of the enemy prisoners -- and in some cases their family members. They have been classified as refugees who would be harmed by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein if returned home.
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Saddam may already have his delivery system prepositioned in the U.S., at U.S. taxpayer expense.
Resettling Iraqi POWs in U.S. Criticized; Lawmakers Urge Clinton to End 'Potentially Dangerous'
Washington Post 08/25/93: William Claiborne
More than 80 members of Congress have asked President Clinton to end what they called the "potentially dangerous and unfair policy" of resettling captured Iraqi soldiers in the United States along with deserving civilian Iraqi refugees.
But congressional critics have challenged the notion of charging taxpayers to resettle former enemies, particularly at a time of national budget-cutting. Rep. Clifford B. Stearns (R-Fla.) accused the administration of a "bizarre set of priorities" for going to great length to accommodate combatants who participated in the "rape of Kuwait," while 8.9 million jobless Americans cannot afford the basic necessities of life.
No wonder it's such a biggie that vaccinations are givin to Americans. Heck, that's all the news I need to agree to one. *shiver*
Saddam would use it, too. The butcher of Bagdad wouldn't hesitate for one minute if we go to war.
The men's families were granted asylum, but immigration authorities sought deportation and claimed they were spies for Hussein. The men said they were grateful for the efforts to free them, especially those of former CIA Director James Woolsey, now a private lawyer. But they also feel betrayed by the U.S. government, which they say promised asylum.
Immigration Judge D.D. Sitgraves denied the men asylum in March 1998 and ordered them deported, saying they could be double agents. The men claimed they would be executed if sent home.
OK, it's possible that ALL of both groups are either innocent asylum seekers or evil double agents or that there's a mix of both in one or both groups.
I just find it interesting that Slick brought over--and paid for--a bunch of guys who participated in the "rape of Kuwait" and then had his INS deport a bunch of guys who at least appear to have participated in a coup against Saddam.
I agree with you that Saddam may already have his delivery system prepositioned in the U.S., at U.S. taxpayer expense. I guess it's just another of Slick's bureaucratic SNAFUs, mistakes were made. Again. And this time we're facing smallpox or nukes as a result.
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http://www.publiccounsel.org/news/feb501.htm
Fascinated by the unusual aspects of the case, Levy took on the case of Mohammed Jwer Al-Ammary. Matter of Al-Ammary et al, A76-201-016, Aug. 28, 1997, San Pedro Immigration Court.
In the years since, Public Counsel, assisted by former CIA Chief James Woolsey, won declassification of 90 percent of the secret evidence against the Iraqis. Six of the Iraqis accepted a government deal that released them from jail to live under house arrest in Nebraska.
Dr. Ali Karim, another defendant, refused the deal, and opted for a new trial along with his brother, Mohammad Karim. An immigration judge acquitted the pair last year and granted both political asylum.
Recently, Attorney General Janet Reno, in one of her last actions before leaving office, lifted travel and employment restrictions on five of the men living in Nebraska, allowing them to travel outside the state. The restrictions remain against the sixth.
Infecting others happens fast a cough or sneeze can carry millions of virus particles through the air to the next victim. And, because smallpox is a virus, antibiotics which kill bacteria are not effective against it. There is no treatment.
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