Paul Wolfowitz, Deputy Secretary of Defense of the United States, states that there are reasons justifying the concerns of South Asian countries regarding terrorism. Mr. Wolfowitz, speaking today at a regional security conference in Singapore, said that the concern that terrorists could gain access to nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons is a real concern. Officials say there is evidence indicating that Al-Qaeda terrorists are active in South Asia, and so far, dozens have been arrested in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines on suspicion of terrorist activities. Meanwhile, it is believed that Al-Qaeda cells are also active in Indonesia. Additionally, former U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen has expressed concern about the security of nuclear materials in the former Soviet Union. Mr. Cohen states that there is a risk that enriched uranium and plutonium could fall into the hands of Al-Qaeda members or other extremist groups.
Concerns of South Asian Countries Regarding Terrorism - 2002-06-03
Paul Wolfowitz highlighted the serious concerns of South Asian nations about terrorism, particularly the potential for terrorists to access weapons of mass destruction. This issue is underscored by recent arrests in the region linked to Al-Qaeda activities. The implications of unsecured nuclear materials from the former Soviet Union further exacerbate these fears.
👥 Key Players
⚡ Actions
📰 What Happened
Paul Wolfowitz addresses terrorism concerns in South Asia at a security conference.
- Paul Wolfowitz announce South Asian countries
- William Cohen express nuclear materials
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The discussion highlights the serious threat of terrorism and nuclear proliferation.
📝 Key Evidence
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%