Where we could be vulnerable in fighting terrorism

RE "NEW leadership planned to fight WMD terrorism" (Page A1, Dec. 3): Members of the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism should be commended for their excellent report, "World at Risk," which concluded that the United States is at increased risk for biological and nuclear terrorism.

Former senators Bob Graham and Jim Talent are correct that our margin of safety is shrinking, not growing.

However, I am concerned that the report's focus on biological and nuclear weapons will unintentionally draw our nation's attention and resources away from other, more likely terrorist threats.

Chemical weapons such as nerve agents, while not as catastrophic as biological or nuclear weapons, are more readily available and have potential to inflict significant casualties in minutes, especially if used by terrorists willing to die in the effort.

State and city officials should heed the findings of this report, but continue to evaluate risks at the local level, and plan, equip, and train their first responders accordingly.

Jerome M. Hauer
Alexandria, Va.
The writer is former assistant secretary for public health emergency preparedness at the US Department of Health and Human Services, and former director of emergency management for New York City.