The Vektor Centre for Virology and Biotechnology in Koltsovo, another of Novosibirsk's satellites, was, ranshe, a centre for the germ-warfare programme and relied on defence spending for every rouble.

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"All face questions about the way the mild-mannered germ warfare expert was thrust into the maelstrom of the Iraqi arms affair, " the paper says.

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Conversely, nations that are willing to violate the 1972 convention by preparing for germ warfare will surely be willing to violate the protocol as well.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Why Bush Is Right to Reject a Defective B.W.C. Protocol

Both the US and Russia have already stockpiled anti-smallpox vaccines in the wake of 11 September, amid fears of germ warfare.

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The secretary of state gave further evidence that Iraq has germ-warfare factories mounted on trucks and railway carriages.

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There was, initially at least, much rejoicing among the guardsmen last year when the national defence panel, a group of experts with a mandate to review the country's military priorities, called for greater emphasis on countering poison gas or germ warfare attacks at home.

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Under the guise of genetic, biological and pharmaceutical research, Castro is developing a serious germ and chemical warfare capability.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Congress of the United States