FREEDOM House

WILLKIE MEMORIAL BUILDING / 20 WEST 40th STREET. NEW YORK, N.Y. 10018/ (212) 730-7744

CHEMICAL/BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS INFORMATION PROJECT

Stuart J.D. Schwarizstein

Director

(212) 869-4339 . March 29, 1982

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
Box 115

Rockefeller University
New York, NY 10021

Dear Dr. Lederberg:

In case you haven't seen it yet, I think the enclosed State Department
report will be of interest to you.

Ordinarily I would not distribute a U.S. Government document, and I
should emphasize that this does not constitute an unqualified endorsement of
the report. However, as this is not only the most comprehensive USG
document thus far released on this subject, but the most important report on
“current CW use thus far published anywhere, I think it warrants wide
dissemination and careful scrutiny.

As you know, we believe--tragically--that the basic conclusion of this
report is correct: that chemical and biological weapons are and continue to
be used in Laos, Cambodia and Afghanistan. Beyond that, despite the
impressive evidence marshalled by the State Department, there remain a
number of questions which need be answered. It would be extremely helpful
to our efforts if you would share with us any comments or criticisms which
you may have of the report.

To share with you one important criticism of the report that I have: the
portrayal of all the Hmong of Laos as "resisting" the LPDR regime. That is
not the actual case; nor is it true that all of the Hmong who have been
victims of chemical warfare have been combatants or even overtly hostile to
the Lao regime. It is not only that these outlawed weapons are being used,
but they are being used indiscrimately against civilian populations--and that
makes it all the more heinous.

Again, I'd be grateful for your comments.

With best regards,

art J.D. fae