Sen. Leahy Raises Possibility That West Nile Virus is Bioterror Attack
Sept 12, 2002
By DAVID GRAM
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - Sen. Patrick Leahy urged Thursday that the government explore the possibility of a terrorist link to an outbreak of West Nile virus that has killed 54 people this year.
“I think we have to ask ourselves: Is it coincidence that we’re seeing such an increase in West Nile virus or is that something that’s being tested as a biological weapon against us?” said Leahy, who is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and was the target last year of an anthrax-laden envelope sent to his office.
***
A report issued in July 2000 by the minority staff of the Senate Government Affairs Committee said “law enforcement, public health, and intelligence officials have investigated the possibility that West Nile virus resulted from a bioterrorist attack but believe that this is very unlikely.”
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=519&u=
/ap/20020912/ap_on_re_us/leahy_west_nile_1&printer=1
Here is what Senator Leahy is told NPR last December:
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2006
The Anthrax Scare of 2001... Five Years Later.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6588682
Senators Grill FBI Head on Investigations, Priorities
All Things Considered, December 6, 2006
ARI SHAPIRO (NPR REPORTER)
For Repulican Charles Grassley of Iowa, the issue of the day was anthrax. Five years ago, anonymous letters containing anthrax spores killed five people. The mystery is unsolved. Grassley said despite his requests, it’s been three years since Congress was briefed.
SENATOR GRASSLEY
This investigation is one of the largest efforts in FBI history, I’m told. Congress has a right and a responsibility to get some detailed information about how all those resources are being used.
ARI SHAPIRO (NPR)
Mueller said the case is before a grand jury and any briefing could compromise the proceedings. Ranking Democrat Patrick Leahy of Vermont interjected,
SENATOR LEAHY
I avoided making many public comments about the anthrax case, especially on the five-year anniversary I might note at least two people who touched the envelope that I was supposed to open — died.
ARI SHAPIRO (NPR)
Leahy told Director Mueller,
SENATOR LEAHY
I’m not satisfied with this investigation. I’m not satisfied with the briefings I’ve had. I’m not satisfied with the information I’ve received on it.”
ARI SHAPIRO (NPR)
Leahy said he expects to ask the FBI more questions about the anthrax investigation once he becomes committee chair.