-Caveat Lector- Sunday June 13 12:50 AM ET Iraq, N.Korea, Russia May Have Smallpox Stocks NEW YORK (Reuters) - Iraq, North Korea and Russia are probably hiding the deadly smallpox virus for military use, according to a secret U.S. government report, Sunday's New York Times reported. The Times, quoting government officials, reported that the intelligence assessment was completed last year and was based on evidence that includes disclosures by a senior Soviet defector, blood samples from North Korea soldiers that show smallpox vaccinations and the recent manufacture of the vaccine in Iraq. The warning was an important factor in President Clinton's decision in April to reverse course and delay destruction of American stocks of the virus, the Times said. A panel of the World Health Organization had recommended in 1996 that the smallpox virus be destroyed, officials told the Times. Only the United States and Russia retain openly declared stocks of the virus now, the Times says. The intelligence assessment concludes that Russia most likely is hiding additional stocks of the virus at military sites, the Times says. Last month, U.S. Health Secretary Donna Shalala defended the U.S. decision to seek a delay in the global destruction of smallpox virus stocks at a World Health Organization meeting, saying the ``threat of bioterrorism has sharpened the debate over smallpox destruction'' in recent years. About 56,000 U.S. troops are stationed near Iraq and North Korea, but officials told the Times that there did not appear to be an imminent military threat involving the virus. Both Iraq and North Korea have repeatedly denied having programs to develop germ weapons. A Russian Embassy spokesman in Washington also denied to the Times that his country had secret military stocks of smallpox. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Steve Wingate California Director SKYWATCH INTERNATIONAL Anomalous Images and UFO Files http://www.anomalous-images.com DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
