June 13, 2002	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 1, 1423

WASHINGTON, June 12: Calling biological arms “potentially the most dangerous weapons in the world,” US President George W. Bush on Wednesday signed a bill aimed at thwarting and responding to bioterrorist attacks.

“Terrorist groups seek biological weapons. We know some rogue states already have them. It’s important that we confront these real threats to our country and prepare for future emergencies,” he said.

At a signing ceremony, Bush recalled how someone sent letters laced with deadly anthrax spores to prominent US media figures and political leaders in the wake of the Sept 11 attacks.

“On September the 11th, the world learned how evil men could use aeroplanes as weapons of terror. Shortly thereafter, we learned how evil people can use microscopic spores as weapons of terror,” he said.

The measure aims to secure the US food and water supplies from attack; boost stockpiles of drugs, vaccines, and medical supplies; and enhance communication among health-care providers to speed responses to any attack.

“The speed with which they detect and respond to a threat to public health could be the difference between containment and catastrophe,” Bush said.—AFP