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http://www.observer.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,722395,00.html
Secret US Plan To Hit
Enemy With Valium
By Antony Barnett
Public Affairs Editor
The Observer - London
5-26-2
American military chiefs are developing plans to use Valium as a
potential weapon against enemy forces and to control hostile
populations, according to official documents seen by The Observer.
The Pentagon has also asked scientists to evaluate proposals to use
genetically modified bugs that 'eat' the enemy's fuel and ammunition
supplies without harming humans.
The development of these 'non-lethal' weapons angers campaigners who
claim that they would breach international treaties on biological and
chemical weapons.
US documents reveal that two years ago the Pentagon commissioned
scientists at Pennsylvania State University to look at potential
military uses for a range of chemicals known as calmatives. The
scientists concluded that several drugs would be effective to control
crowds or in military operations such as anti-terrorist campaigns.
The drugs they recommended for 'immediate consideration' included
diazepam, better known as the tranquilliser Valium, and
dexmedetomidine, used to sedate patients in intensive care. The
scientists advised that these drugs can 'effectively act on central
nervous system tissues and produces a less anxious, less aggressive,
more tranquil-like behaviour'.
Other official documents reveal how genetically engineered micro-
organisms to destroy equipment but not harm troops are also being
considered by US military scientists as 'non-lethal' weapons. One
proposal from the Office of Naval Research in Arlington, Virginia,
proposes creating genetically modified bugs that would corrode roads
and runways and produce 'targeted deterioration of metal parts,
coatings and lubricants of weapons vehicles and support equipment as
well as fuels'.
This group of scientists has already patented micro-organisms that
would decompose polyurethane, 'a common component of paint for ships
and aircraft'. Another proposal from a biotech laboratory at Brooks
air force base in Texas was to modify 'anti-material biocatalysts'
already under development. One of these breaks down fuels and
plastics.
Most of the research was funded by Washington's joint non-lethal
weapons programme, in which Britain plays an active part. But further
US documents, also seen by The Observer, reveal how a split has
developed between the two nations, with British officials backing
campaigners' claims that using drugs such as Valium or other
calmatives would be outlawed under the 1991 Chemical Weapons
Convention. This protocol prohibits 'any chemical which... can cause
death, temporary incapacitation or permanent harm'.
A report of a meeting in the Ministry of Defence's headquarters in
London in November 2000 states: 'The US and UK interpret the Chemical
Weapons Convention (CWC) differently regarding riot control agents
(RCA). The UK interpretation considers them to be chemical weapons
under the CWC and thus proscribed; the US view is that they are not
banned under that agreement. This could lead to difficulties in
combined operations in certain circumstances, a situation compounded
by the fact that the UK is a signatory to the European Convention of
Human Rights, which further governs the use of NLW [non-lethal
weapons].'
Some experts believe the use of genetically-modified microbes in
military operations would breach the Biological and Toxin Weapons
Convention.
Ed Hammond of the Sunshine Project - the US campaigners against
biological and chemical weapons that obtained the documents -
said: 'What is absolutely shocking about these disclosures is that it
represents either a massive institutional failure to implement US
commitments under international treaties or it reflects an effort by
some people in the Pentagon to undermine those treaties.'
A US military spokesman has denied that the Pentagon is
developing 'non-lethal' biological or chemical weapons.
A spokesman from the Foreign Office said: 'There are discussions
between Britain and the US on all sorts of technical issues. But we
both share a commitment to comply with all the international
conventions governing chemical and biological weapons.'
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