Kudos to our resident hunter-gatherer of articles, Jen, for finding this one from Global Security Newswire. I have a few cents to add on the subject.
SNIPClinton Moves to Inject New Urgency into Bioweapon Concerns at Geneva Event
Friday, Dec. 2, 2011
By Elaine M. Grossman
Global Security Newswire
WASHINGTON -- In a surprise announcement, a senior State Department official said on Thursday that Hillary Clinton would appear next week at an international conference on biological warfare prevention and preparedness -- an event that even policy wonks had previously grumbled would likely prove dull and inconsequential (see GSN, Aug. 2).
Speaking at a Thursday press conference, he said Clinton would offer "specific proposals" in three areas: increasing world capacity to detect and respond to disease outbreaks; working with the scientific and industrial communities to ensure that life-science technologies and materials are not misused; and "strengthening the implementation" of the 1975 agreement.SNIP
"It's a shock," Barry Kellman, head of the International Weapons Control Center at DePaul University's College of Law in Chicago, said after learning of the announcement. "I hope what she puts on the table is worthy of her appearance."I do not make a lot of predictions, but I will say this: If HRC has decided to fly to Geneva for a short stop to address this conference, she has something concrete to offer. Clearly these people do not know our girl. It is not her nature to go around spouting rhetoric. When HRC speaks, either take notes, get the transcript, or come here and read it since I will have posted it. You are certain to hear practical solutions to a problem and learn at least one new thing to boot!
Amy Smithson, a senior fellow at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Washington, sounded a similar note.
Clinton's upcoming appearance "is a most welcome indication of high-level political attention being paid to the bioweapons ban," she said in an e-mail response to questions on Thursday. "But the proof will be in whether she introduces significant new proposals to strengthen the treaty's compliance provisions or continues a regrettable, multiyear trend of more rhetoric about the severity of the bioweapons problem than action to reduce that threat."
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So the awesome HRC has taken note of a previously obscure conference and wishes to deliver an address. Believe me, that is not a move to boost the BWC's profile. She has something to say, ideas and solutions to offer, and probably a thing or three to teach us all! Go Hillary!
