Hermiston Herald
December 13, 2002

Army coy about possible new man in charge;
Chemical demilitarization program could have new leader at helm

By Frank Lockwood
Staff writer

HERMISTON - Official word has yet to come concerning the pending turnover of
the nation's chemical weapons demilitarization program to Maj. Gen. Claude
Bolton Jr., though officials have not been denying the possibility.

The national chemical demilitarization program is presently the
responsibility of Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations and
Environment Mario Fiori. Rumors of an impending realignment of the Chem
Demil program have been circulating since an article in the Anniston Star in
late October or early November. To date, nothing official has happened.

The Army is looking at some organizational options for the Chemical
Demilitarization Program, however. "As we proceed with destroying
theNation's chemical weapons stockpile, we seek ways to refine the
management of the program. No final decisions have been made," PMCD media
representative Greg Mahall reported to the Hermiston Herald Wednesday.

The Army will seek input from the appropriate people and agencies before
proceeding with any changes or refinements, Mahall noted, but, added, "I
know of no date or deadline for any changes to occur at this point."

Media nationwide have been expecting an announcement, which Army officials
say would have to come from the Pentagon, but that has yet to happen: A
Pentegon spokesperson only reiterated Mahall's exact statement.