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Armenia helped with bio-threat program

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  • Armenia helped with bio-threat program

    United Press International UPI
    June 3 2011

    Armenia helped with bio-threat program
    Published: June 3, 2011 at 9:35 AM



    OVERLAND PARK, Kan., June 3 (UPI) -- U.S. corporation Black and Veatch
    will help strengthen Armenia's human and veterinary biological threat
    reduction capabilities.

    The Kansas engineering, consulting and construction company said the
    award marks the first time the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency
    selected a contractor to provide program design for a country before
    contracting for program implementation.

    "Black and Veatch has been working with DTRA continuously for more
    than 18 years, implementing cooperative threat reduction programs
    across former Soviet Union countries, including Ukraine and Russia,"
    said Matthew Webber, Black and Veatch vice president and program
    manager.

    "Our experience in implementing these programs will provide tremendous
    value to DTRA as we work to design Armenia's program."

    The project, which includes strengthening the country's public health
    system, is part of DTRA's Cooperative Biological Engagement Program to
    combat bioterrorism and prevent the proliferation of biological
    weapons-related technology, pathogens and expertise.

    The program also aims to enhance host governments' disease
    surveillance systems to detect and report bio-terror attacks,
    epidemics and potential pandemics.

    "Infectious disease and deadly pathogens are not bound by borders,"
    said Bill Van Dyke, president of Black and Veatch's Federal Services
    Division. "Our work with DTRA as part of the CBEP helps make these
    countries, and therefore the entire global community, more secure in
    the fight against bioterrorism."

    The CBEP, formerly known as the Biological Threat Reduction Program,
    is part of DTRA's overall Cooperative Threat Reduction Program.

    The Cooperative Threat Reduction Program was established in 1991 as
    part of the Nunn-Lugar Act and seeks to help the states of the former
    Soviet Union safeguard and dismantle stockpiles of nuclear, chemical
    and biological weapons, related materials and delivery systems.

    http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2011/06/03/Armenia-helped-with-bio-threat-program/UPI-72811307108108/

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