SHEMYAKIN & OVCHINNIKOV INSTITUTE OF 16/10 Miklukho- Malays str,
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY TET Ma MI uo r007
RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Telex 411982 trem su

 

 

Prof. V.T. IVANOV
Director

Dr. Joshua Lederberg

Chair

Working Group on Biological Weapons Control

National Academy of Sciences

Committee on International Security and Arms Control
2101 Constitution Avenue

Washington, D.C. 20418

U.S.A.

12th April, 1993

Dear Joshua,

I did not forget of my promise (the letter of Aug. 7, 1992) to
write you again when I collect the available publications on the
Sverdlovsk epidemic, Yeltsin’s statements, etc. As a result I have a
pile of articles from the central newspapers containing small bits
of hard facts and citing some parts of Yeltsin conversation with
Bush (however, I was unable to find the full text). It is clear
that in 1979 it was not a natural outbreak of anthrax. As for the
nature of research which resulted in the accident it is impossible
to judge from those publications.

I also spoke with Rem Petrov and Evgeni Sverdlov about the
questions you raised. Generally, they confirmed the view expressed
in my previous letter that the volcanic political and economic at-
mosphere here does not provide a comfortable climate for the acti-
vity of our group. At the same time the Russian Academy of Sciences
continues to function and there is no direct argument to cease our
meetings and the exchange of information.

Moreover, a few days ago I was told by Rem Petrov that he ac-
cepted your initiative to hold in Washington, D.C. an informal
planning session for the next formal meeting. He also asked me to
participate in order to retain the continuity which I will gladly
do.

Please, let me know whether there are specific items which you
think I should not miss when preparing for the trip. From my side I
will review my files and prepare the list of experts potentially
useful for our exchange of information.

I look forward to meeting you soon,

Kind personal regards

Sincerely V/, c
oOo

Vadim T.Ivanov