New commission to study WMDs announced (Bob Graham to chair)

[seafan]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — Soon after taking office, the next president will get some advice about how to prevent a nuclear attack on the U.S., researched and written by top experts on weapons of mass destruction.

Over the next six months, a congressionally mandated commission will look at the government's myriad WMD programs to counter nuclear, biological and chemical arms capable of killing great numbers of people and make recommendations on how to coordinate them. The commission was created by a 2007 law in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

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Graham, who will be chairman of the WMD commission, said most of the focus will be on nuclear and biological weapons, because those have the greatest potential to kill many people. Graham has already met with the heads of agencies with counterproliferation programs, including the departments of Defense, Energy, Homeland Security and State. The commission has been promised access to whatever information they need, he said.

"We see as our principle audience the new administration and the new Congress," Graham said in an interview.
In a statement Friday, Roemer said, "Far too many WMD components remain unsecured around the world, at a time when the threat from terrorists and extremist groups continues to grow."
The WMD report is due in mid-November.

Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j0fTTWvTdRkVBs8Unp2LTTPmpy8wD90N1GTG0

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Finally, the adults are coming back in charge.

[seafan]

1. Graham appointed by Congressional leaders

Former Florida Sen. (and Gov) Bob Graham has been tapped by congressional leaders to chair the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Republican Leader John Boehner and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the appointment.

.....

The other members of the commission are:

Former Sen. Jim Talent, vice-chairman, distinguished fellow, The Heritage Foundation; Former Rep. Timothy Roemer, president, Center for National Policy; Ambassador Wendy Sherman, principal, The Albright Group; Graham Allison, director, Harvard University Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs; Richard Verma, partner, Steptoe & Johnson; Henry Sokolski, executive director, Nonproliferation Policy Education Center; Stephen Rademaker, senior counsel, BGR Holding; Robin Cleveland, principal, Olivet Consulting.

[bluestateguy]

2. Swell. Another "bipartisan commission" in Washington

And they'll waste lots of time producing some report which will then be thrown in the trash can or quietly placed on a shelf at the Library of Congress to gather dust.