Note: Our ASA correspondent, Reginald Bartholomew, had received comprehensive information on this NATO study several months ago. From that information he prepared this article for release in this issue. Recognizing that Dr. Jan Medema was a leader in this study and comprehensive effort, ASA requested he ensure Reginald's information, which we were going to publish, was accurate and timely. It was and is.

On the Defensive Aspects of Chemical and Biological Warfare: A NATO Long Term Scientific Study

Introduction:
The last NATO Long Term Science and Technology Study (LTSS) on Defensive Aspects of Chemical and Biological Warfare was done in 1988, before the end of the Cold War, the Gulf War, CB terrorism, NATO's Partners for Peace, the CWC, the BTWC and several other important sociological and political changes. Dr. Jan Medema wrote an addendum in 1991 highlighting some of the important changes from 1988, especially the increasingly diverse threat and the changes in biotechnology that increased the potential to manufacture BW agents with relative ease. No longer was a massive chemical attack a likely scenario; instead numerous countries possessed the capabilities to use biological and toxin weapons, which made predicting their use much more difficult.

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Chemical Demilitarization in Russia: Major Changes Ahead
An Overview of the Russian CW Destruction Program

by Maria Katsva
Center for International Trade and Security at the University of Georgia

Towards the end of the year 2000, major changes occurred within the Russian chemical demilitarization program and these changes willinfluence the future of this program.

Although Russia adopted the Federal program "On CW Destruction in RF" in 1996 and it ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in 1997, it was, because of a lack of funding, not able to destroy the 1% of its CW arsenal within the timelines established by the CWC. A lack of interagency coordination and a fight for funding negatively influenced the process for chemical demilitarization (demil).

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This seventh meeting in the Chemical and Biological Medical Treatment Symposia (CBMTS) series is the second meeting to be held in Dubrovnik, Croatia; the venue for the CBMTS-Industry meetings. This particular Symposium is exceptionally important and timely - this is the:

CBMTS - Industry II
World Congress on Chemical and Biological Terrorism
Dubrovnik, Croatia
21-27 April 2001

Dubrovnik, Croatia. This is the final announcement for the seventh general meeting of the CBMTS and the second meeting in Dubrovnik for the Industry series which began here in 1998. To date over 120 professionals in medicine, science and related disciplines from 30+ countries have offered approximately 100 papers covering every aspect of chemical and biological terrorism. Within these next eight weeks these numbers should increase considerably.

We expect every professional will consider this World Congress a 'must attend' meeting. The CBMTS, as history has shown, very successfully brings together professionals from east, west, north and south to share knowledge and friendship. This particularly important meeting is, in total, Counter-Terrorism.

General Information:
A: For registration information and to view the recommended topic areas, please visit ASA's web site at: http://www.asanltr.com/wbiot.htm. The complimentary Croatian Organizing Committee's web site is at: http://tomislav.morh.tel.hr/cbmts.

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