For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 8, 2001
Statement by the President
Domestic Preparedness Against Weapons of Mass Destruction
Protecting America's homeland and citizens
from the threat of weapons of mass destruction is one of our Nation's
important national security challenges. Today, more nations
possess chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons than ever
before. Still others seek to join them. Most
troubling of all, the list of these countries includes some of the
world's least-responsible states -- states for whom terror and
blackmail are a way of life. Some non-state terrorist groups
have also demonstrated an interest in acquiring weapons of mass
destruction.
Against this backdrop, it is clear that the
threat of chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons being used against
the United States -- while not immediate -- is very
real. That is why our Nation actively seeks to deny
chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons to those seeking to acquire
them. That is why, together with our allies, we seek to
deter anyone who would contemplate their use. And that is
also why we must ensure that our Nation is prepared to defend against
the harm they can inflict.
Should our efforts to reduce the threat to our
country from weapons of mass destruction be less than fully successful,
prudence dictates that the United States be fully prepared to deal
effectively with the consequences of such a weapon being used here on
our soil.
Today, numerous Federal departments and
agencies have programs to deal with the consequences of a potential use
of a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weapon in the
United States. Many of these Federal programs offer
training, planning, and assistance to state and local
governments. But to maximize their effectiveness, these
efforts need to be seamlessly integrated, harmonious, and
comprehensive.
Therefore, I have asked Vice President Cheney
to oversee the development of a coordinated national effort so that we
may do the very best possible job of protecting our people from
catastrophic harm. I have also asked Joe Allbaugh, the
Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to create an
Office of National Preparedness. This Office will be
responsible for implementing the results of those parts of the national
effort overseen by Vice President Cheney that deal with consequence
management. Specifically it will coordinate all Federal
programs dealing with weapons of mass destruction consequence
management within the Departments of Defense, Health and Human
Services, Justice, and Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and
other federal agencies. The Office of National Preparedness
will work closely with state and local governments to ensure their
planning, training, and equipment needs are addressed. FEMA
will also work closely with the Department of Justice, in its lead role
for crisis management, to ensure that all facets of our response to the
threat from weapons of mass destruction are coordinated and
cohesive. I will periodically chair a meeting of the
National Security Council to review these efforts.
No governmental responsibility is more
fundamental than protecting the physical safety of our Nation and its
citizens. In today's world, this obligation includes
protection against the use of weapons of mass destruction. I
look forward to working closely with Congress so that together we can
meet this challenge.
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