    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 44 (Monday, November 5, 2001)]
    [Page 1580]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Statement on Strengthening the International Regime Against Biological
    Weapons

    November 1, 2001

        Disease has long been the deadliest enemy of mankind. Infectious
    diseases make no distinctions among people and recognize no borders. We
    have fought the causes and consequences of disease throughout history
    and must continue to do so with every available means. All civilized
    nations reject as intolerable the use of disease and biological weapons
    as instruments of war and terror.
        For almost 30 years, the vast majority of nations has banned all
    biological weapons, in accordance with the 1972 Biological and Toxin
    Weapons Convention (BWC). This landmark accord--now with 144 nations as
    parties--prohibits the possession of all biological weapons.
        Before the BWC, the United States had independently and
    unconditionally renounced the possession and use of biological weapons.
    The United States unilaterally destroyed its biological weapons
    stockpiles and dismantled or converted to peaceful uses the facilities
    that had been used for developing and producing them.
        Today, we know that the scourge of biological weapons has not been
    eradicated. Instead, the threat is growing. Since September 11, America
    and others have been confronted by the evils these weapons can inflict.
    This threat is real and extremely dangerous. Rogue states and terrorists
    possess these weapons and are willing to use them.
        The United States is committed to strengthening the Biological
    Weapons Convention (BWC) as part of a comprehensive strategy for
    combating the complex threats of weapons of mass destruction and
    terrorism. With this objective, my administration is proposing that all
    Parties:
     <bullet>    Enact strict national criminal legislation against
                prohibited BW activities with strong extradition
                requirements;
     <bullet>    Establish an effective United Nations procedure for
                investigating suspicious outbreaks or allegations of
                biological weapons use;
     <bullet>    Establish procedures for addressing BWC compliance
                concerns;
     <bullet>    Commit to improving international disease control and to
                enhance mechanisms for sending expert response teams to cope
                with outbreaks;
     <bullet>    Establish sound national oversight mechanisms for the
                security and genetic engineering of pathogenic organisms;
     <bullet>    Devise a solid framework for bioscientists in the form of a
                code of ethical conduct that would have universal
                recognition; and
     <bullet>    Promote responsible conduct in the study, use,
                modification, and shipment of pathogenic organisms.
        I have directed my administration to consult with our friends and
    allies, as well as with Congress, industry, and non-governmental
    experts, on these proposals. We look forward to hearing the new ideas on
    how best to achieve our common aim of eliminating biological weapons.
        Our objective is to fashion an effective international approach to
    strengthen the Biological Weapons Convention. The ideas we propose do
    not constitute a complete solution to the use of pathogens and
    biotechnology for evil purposes. However, if we can strengthen the
    Convention against the threat of biological weapons, we will contribute
    to the security of the people of the United States and mankind as a
    whole.