The Anthrax Saga: A Different Scenario
by Reginald Bartholomew

          Although the US position seems to be that the prime suspect in the Anthrax saga is an American, could we consider a different scenario? Could this scenario be wrong - sure.
          Some givens in our position are based on assumptions. The US does not operate in a vacuum and what is available in the US is in all probability available around the world where there is technical expertise and the required funds to carry out whatever program is desired. ASA has previously stated that US organizations, such as American Type Culture and others in that business, have sold feed stock for innumerable pathogens to innumerable bad actors, such as Saddam, over the many years that it took them to understand that academic freedom in a dictatorship is problematic at best. Actually, Congress put the pressure on these organizations to get their act together.
          Another assumption is based on remarks made, i.e., the FBI should look for someone who would normally have reason to travel between New Jersey, Washington and Florida. Of course that immediately opened the door to 4,585,000 suspects. Movement in the US is not restricted.
          This scenario would be as follows: No matter from where it originated, the anthrax in question probably came to the States from Europe. This could have been from Milan, Frankfurt, Paris, London or any number of places. The only requirement was a terrorist cell acting as the intermediary for whomever wanted the anthrax delivered. Europe was used as a staging point - the anthrax came from further East.
          Once the transfer was made to the intermediary in Europe, a mule was selected by the cell to deliver the anthrax to the States. How difficult? Probably no more difficult than bringing in a cigarette. The mule brought in the anthrax and whatever else may have been required in the administrative area. The recipient lived either temporarily or semi-permanently in New Jersey in a town with a large Arab-American population. New Jersey has been a favorite location for many, many of the previously known terrorists. From where ever this cell member was staying in a New Jersey community, delivery to a mail drop in Trenton would be a very short trip.
          Where did the anthrax come from in the east? Saddam's Iraq would be a good guess. We just do not know exactly; either his previous levels of expertise, his now more matured expertise and perhaps his now greatly assisted expertise by acquisition of open market professionals.
          The anthrax could have also come in from several other locations such as the southern tier of the Former Soviet Republics, where expertise and perhaps the required equipment is available. Even if this were the case, the anthrax still could have been acquired by Saddam and in all probability distributed by his intell service professionals.