Washington: United States President George W Bush has announced a multi-billion-
dollar 'BioShield' for America in order to make available safer and more effective
vaccines against agents like smallpox, anthrax and plague to defend the nation from
terrorists, who may use bio-weapons.
Bush said he requested Congress almost $ six billion for such vaccines in his budget
for fiscal 2004 on February 3.
"We already have the knowledge and ability to manufacture some of the vaccines and
drugs we need. Yet, we have had little reason to do so up until now, because the
natural occurrence of these diseases in our country is rare. But the world changed
on September the 11th, 2001, and we have got to respond to that change," Bush said
in a speech at the National Institutes of Health.
He said, "In light of the new threats, we must now develop and stockpile these
vaccines and these treatments. Right now, America must go beyond our borders to find
companies willing to make vaccines to combat biological weapons.
"Two main drug used to treat anthrax are produced overseas. We must rebuild
America's capacity to produce vaccines by committing the Federal government to the
purchase of medicines that combat bio-terror."
Bush said the US is putting in place a national system of air sensors to detect
biological attack. "We are also proposing billions of dollars to help first
responders and hospitals increase their effectiveness.
"The enemies of the United States," Bush said, "have been working to acquire weapons
of mass destruction. That is a fact. If their ambitions were ever realised, they
would set out to inflict catastrophic harm on the US with many times the casualties
of September the 11th.
"So we are going to do everything in our power to protect the people and to prevent
that day from ever happening," he said.
Bush said, "Across the world, we are making a determined effort with a lot of
friends to round up terrorists wherever they hide, whatever cave they may be in, and
bring them to justice. It does not matter how long it is going to take. One by one,
we are going to dismantle their networks, so that America and our friends and allies
are safe from harm."
He also said the US is working with international authorities to track and control
nuclear weapons.
"The US seeks to strengthen global agreements banning the production and shipment of
missile technologies and weapons of mass destruction. It is working with others in
the world to face the new threat."
On Iraq, Bush reiterated that "If the dictator (Saddam Hussein) does not disarm, if
he doesn't get rid of his weapons of mass destruction, then the United States will
lead a coalition to disarm him. And we will do so in the name of peace, and we will
do so for the security of the American people."
He said in Iraq, "a brutal regime is arming to threaten the world, the peace of the
world".
PTI
