Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: E. T. who wrote (200208)	11/5/2001 7:12:43 PM
From: E. T.	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 769667

Bush rejects compliance rules for biological-weapons treaty: July 22/01 inq.philly.com By Ron Fournier ASSOCIATED PRESS GENOA, Italy - In a split with key allies, the Bush administration has decided to oppose a draft agreement to enforce a 26-year-old germ-weapons treaty, administration officials said yesterday. The administration, already under fire for rejecting allied-backed initiatives on climate change and small-arms trade, has concluded that the guidelines will not stop the spread of biological weapons and could hurt U.S. business interests, according to an official speaking on condition of anonymity. The official was attending an economic summit here with President Bush, who has been accused of isolating the United States from its allies on international treaties as well as his push for an antimissile shield. The treaty, ratified by 143 nations, prohibits the development, production and possession of biological weapons. It still lacks a way to ensure compliance, and negotiators are trying to create one by November. American envoy Donald A. Mahley planned to tell negotiators in Geneva, Switzerland, this week that Bush supported the Biological Weapons Convention but feared the enforcement rules would be burdensome to some universities and industries, and might expose American businesses to commercial theft. The decision was first reported by the Chicago Tribune and the Washington Post. An administration team recommended in the spring that the proposed rules be rejected, and U.S. officials said at the time that the White House was likely to accept the advice. Since then, the administration has concluded that the language designed to enforce the treaty is flawed beyond repair. The Clinton administration had given its blessing to the protocol. With Bush's decision, the United States joins China, Libya, Cuba, Iran and Pakistan in voicing opposition to the rules. Allies in Europe and Latin America support the language.