for more information contact:
Craig Williams (859) 986 -7565
for immediate release; Thursday May 9, 2002
In an appearance before the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee this week Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld criticized the Army's chemical weapons disposal program, saying everyone in the room knew that the program "is not on the right track." Rumsfeld also said the program is "in breach of Nunn-McCurdy." The Nunn-McCurdy Law requires the termination of weapons programs whose total costs grow by more than 25 percent above original estimates, unless they were certified as critical systems by the Secretary of Defense or if the cost growth was attributable to certain specified changes in the program. In spite of the Army's incineration program being approximately 1400 percent over its original budget estimate it has been certified, but only because of the U.S. disposal obligations under International Treaty.
Senator Richard Shelby (R- AL) agreed with Rumsfeld's statements, adding, "Clearly, the Chemical Demilitarization Program is off track and remains in desperate need of leadership." In Anniston, Alabama, the Army's wants to burn over 2000 tons of deadly agents but the plan has been mired in controversy as citizens and elected officials question the safety of the facility and the level of preparedness, in case of a chemical agent release. There have been more than a dozen such releases at previous incinerators.
In March 2002, Alabama Governor Siegelman filed a Federal Lawsuit to prevent the incinerator from firing up. Based on the Army's unwillingness to fulfill the Congressional mandate of "maximum protection" of citizens during weapons destruction, Siegelman's lawsuit lists an specific number of necessary protective measures, including overpressurization of schools and providing protective gear to citizens.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been given the responsibility of providing emergency preparedness for communities surrounding chemical weapons stockpiles, while the Army provides for emergency response on the military base where the chemical weapons disposal will take place. The Army funds both programs, while FEMA implements safety measures in civilian areas.
In Alabama and at other chemical weapons sites, FEMA has come under fire for what some call the inadequate levels of preparedness at chemical weapons stockpile communities. In testimony before a separate Senate Committee, also this week, FEMA Director Joe Allbaugh requested that FEMA be relieved of this duty and said that, "The Army should have the entire program."
Chemical Weapons Working Group (CWWG) Director Craig Williams says these latest developments are yet another example of a grossly mismanaged chemical weapons program. "President Bush recently assigned the chemical weapons program the lowest possible rank of 'ineffective' in his budget request to Congress. Now FEMA and Secretary Rumsfeld acknowledge that they, too understand how poorly managed this program is," Williams said. The CWWG has worked for ten years to ensure the safe, non-incineration destruction of chemical weapons; greater accountability within the chemical weapons disposal program; and citizen involvement in the program.
Anniston, Alabama resident Brenda Lindell asked, "For
years we have watched the Army and other agencies point fingers
at each other when the chemical weapons program is criticized.
Who's going to be left to point fingers after this chemical weapons
incinerator releases chemical agent into the community? FEMA's
'wanting out' looks like they are riding the Titanic,
see the iceberg dead ahead, and want to get off the ship while
there is still time. This is quite disturbing to those living
near this incinerator."
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