JUN 4 2003

The Honorable Richard B. Cheney
President of the Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Mr. President:

As required by 50 U.S.C. Section 1512, 1 am informing you that the Depament of Defense (DoD) anticipates that it will be prepared to commence chemical agent destruction operations at the Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (ANCDF) in Anniston, Alabama on or about July 1, 2003. DoD will determine the actual start date in cooperation with Alabama officials. The start date will be no earlier than 30 days after this notification.

The DoD has coordinated the proposed ANCDF operations with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and will implement all of DHHS's recommendations for additional precautionary measures before beginning the disposal operations. Therefore, all requirements of 50 U.S.C. Section 1512 will be met prior to commencement of chemical agent destruction operations at ANCDF.

The DoD is committed to accomplishing the chemical agent destruction mission in a safe and environmentally sound manner. A similar Imer has been provided to the Speaker of the House, the Congressional defense committees, and the Alabama Congressional delegation.

Sincerely,

Paul Wolfowitz