Fighting terror notebook

Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times
published June 21, 2002

Limited smallpox vaccines proposed

ATLANTA -- A panel of scientific experts that advises the federal government Thursday recommended that a small number of health care workers in each state -- perhaps 20,000 Americans in all -- be vaccinated against smallpox to protect them in the event of an outbreak.

The advice, if accepted by the Bush administration, would expand use of the vaccine for the first time in nearly 30 years.

However, it represents the most limited of several options the panel considered for incorporating smallpox vaccination into the country's defense against biological terrorism.

The choice reflects the panel's belief that the risk of an attack employing smallpox virus is too small to justify the many complications that would arise from widespread vaccination.

Currently, only scientists who handle the smallpox virus are vaccinated. The last human case of smallpox occurred in 1978, and the microbe is known to exist only in a few laboratory freezers.

However, some experts believe that samples of the virus may have gotten into the hands of bioterrorists or hostile governments.

In a statement, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said he will "now review the recommendation with experts ... as the administration works toward a policy on the smallpox vaccine."

Under the recommendation, each state would designate at least one "smallpox response team," comprised of physicians, epidemiologists, investigators, lab technicians, nurses and vaccinators. A few law enforcement officers might be included.

In general, though, paramedics, police officers, firefighters and other "first responders" would not be vaccinated.

Each state would also pick one or more hospital to be a referral center for possible cases of smallpox. At each site a pre-designated group of caregivers -- including possibly clerks and technicians -- would vaccinated and expected to care for initial cases.

In all cases vaccination would be voluntary.

Turkish troops take over command in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Turkey, NATO's only Muslim member, took command Thursday of the 19-nation international peacekeeping force guarding the Afghan capital, renewing a military association which dates back 80 years

Turkish Gen. Hilmi Akin Zorlu accepted command of the more than 4,000-strong international force from Britain, which announced plans Thursday for deep cuts in its forces in Afghanistan.

With the takeover, the size of the Turkish contingent in Afghanistan will rise to 1,400 by the end of the month, making it the largest group in the international force. Germany has the second largest at 1,200 troops. Turkey is expected to have the command for a six-month term, which could be extended.

The Germans will have tactical control of daily patrols in Kabul, expected to number about 30 in each 24-hour period.

Former terrorism suspect guilty of credit card fraud

NEW YORK -- A man who came under intense scrutiny after he was arrested Sept. 12 with a box cutter and hair dye pleaded guilty Thursday to credit card fraud charges.

Syed Gul Mohammed Shah admitted selling 15 fraudulent credit cards for up to $2,000 a piece on the black market. He faces up to 18 months in prison when he is sentenced Aug. 15.

Investigators later concluded Shah and another man charged in the case, Mohammed Azmath, 37, were not linked to terrorism.

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