Chemical, biological arms to stay on agenda

A cease-fire in the Persian Gulf War means coalition forces have been spared Iraqi use of chemical and biological weapons. Notwithstanding the cessation of war, chemical and biological warfare issues will remain on the nation's agenda. The President was expected last Friday to issue regulations to restrict the export of commercial chemicals, equipment, and services that can also be used to make chemical weapons. And the Defense Department can expect increased Congressional oversight of its chemical and biological defense programs. The export control regulations are those President Bush promised when he vetoed Congress' mandatory sanctions bill last year, and are similar to provisions in a recently passed Senate bill. The regulations will require validated licenses for specified chemicals, equipment, and services to designated countries, explains Chemical Manufacturers Association spokesman Owen A. Kean. There will be sanctions against companies and countries that violate the regulations. CMA expects 52 or...