[Mr. Jeeves]

The decision should have been easy for Beijing. As soon as WHO asked to be allowed to investigate the disease, it should have been invited in and given full access to affected areas, Guangdong in particular. It also should have been allowed to speak freely to the world (and Chinese) press regarding SARS. This would have undoubtedly buttressed China's previously growing credibility as a responsible member of the global community.

Yeah, but if SARS is a bioweapon that got loose, China would hardly behave this way. Instead they would do almost exactly as they have done - try to downplay the significance of SARS.

[Enemy Of The State]

My thoughts exactly. I had suspicions from the begining that there was a high chance this could be some type of new Bio-weapon. Doesnt it seem strange that this would be the first new virus in 20 years? hmmm..How ironic that it should just appear in China first.