Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
55031824
label
Gulf War [Folder 2]
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
55031824
sourceUrl
contentType
document
title
Gulf War [Folder 2]
citationUrl
collections
Records of the First Lady's Office (Clinton Administration)
Melanne Verveer's Subject Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
55031824
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
otherTitles
2068127-20130534S-099-011-2022
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
963ae909a162cb24
ocrText
JUL-11 97 18:10 FROM:
TO: 0043 1 5122216
PAGE: 10
PK1
17:15
FAX
00000000000
GULF WAR ILLNESS
file Guy 006
SEEN
Internet Laws Overturned
6-25-97
In New York and Georgia
4571
Curbs on Smut and Anonymity Are Blocked
The New York Times
By HOBERT D. McPADDEN
in both cases also grained
the fullngs at 4 victory for Internet
SATURDAY. JUNE 21, 1997
in spparate by: relains - char
could shape the fumre of USD Inter-
users, "Toyocher, chase about -
not Federal judges in Manhalier
the meange 1Ast arates
and Allenta ruled yesterday that in-
cannet communitionally regulato
States of New York and Georgia
soutch on 4 Internet."
Ms. Beason sold the New York 1bw
Lawmakers Ask White House
couje not enforee laws increased
to protect children from comovier
was "winder ideation 10 me Fed-
PARAS 3 The
network peupphiles and 10 bar anon.
cral Communications Deashey ACL
years cyberspaco communications.
which makes " . Federal chime "A
To Revisit Gulf War Illnesses
In the Now York case. Judge 60.
display "patenuy uf(ensive," serual-
rella A. Proske held INAL . 1000 1am
by expliant macomel over the Income
By PHILIP JHENON
worthy B. stand Bublished
making " # crimmai Bilonse 5 soud
in a manner available to children.
WASHINGTON, June 20 - Eighty
other C.A.O. allarts" and that "the
parnographic matarials to minors
The United States supreme Cours 1a
alx members of the House today
arrom of commission and
over the Internet visiated a clause 01
expected 20 rule sean on the consus
urged a special while Hindre panel of
are - sarious that the publication of
the United States Consission that
lionality of that law.
experts to rewares stall and can.
this draft in ILS anter form would
oronibile states from unduly Inter-
Althoritys General Vacco of New
club Vial Ivaqi chemical -
do a distervice to the Congress's
were responsible for some of the
lice of coople la october states,
defillined substanrive commant on the
health Problems Peported by your
was -
your
7°
"WI
furing in the commarce and scavi.
York and Thurbert Buhar of Georgia
President's allow to address gulf
The judge ordered Cov. George E.
rulings. saying may ouro under
and of the 1091 Furstan Guil war.
The Datensa Department acknowl.
Smill
2016
so
Patabl and Autorney General Dennis
grudy and that appeals would be con-
The responding 9 me
edged Lest year they thousands of
C, Vacco. the defendents - and by
sidered. A spakemen for Mr. Yessa.
dran of . DOW Nport
comerican treops may have Deen ca.
extension all district ellorneys in
Mare Carey, celled the Now York
that linked Iraqi name que wire the
based 3 checkcal weapons after the.
New York - not w any
law "a reasonable balance between
sores of scon amoag the
devenicion of an Traqi ammunition
wnder the law, nocing in a 67-page
Fire Amendment Interpatch rights
said in a laiser a the White
officials have
ruling the - . virtual anmer en
and children against for
House committed that "the evidence
Born reluctanido unit that exposure
the Internol that where in Callfornia,
nography on LAD Interest.
n clear that exposure 10 . wide
to health problems.
Oregon, Oklahoma or anywhere
Signed by Governor Pateki last
cty of chemicals in the Paralen oll
hate 10 concern there people."
Might have run alout at a law they
Nov. 1. the Law mage is a crime to
may be a significant Incior in Por-
Mr. Sandari cold of the Willie Mouse
dio nos quan know about
11am Quili illness."
mines, -Akh Includes promi-
The Internet is OMG el those Grass
THE panel the Presidential Adrisa
name Scientials and declare. "But It's
of commerce Clai must be marked
my Commissioner on Gull War
mar IN politica. They are
are as a Marional preserve to procect
were from inconsibient logisition
A Federal judge
Illnoones, concluded eartier this year
backing memedives Into . corper.
thes Iraqi chemical ***paki were
And I think ther's very unforcements.
that, taken to Its mail extrame, could
persiyse development of the Internet
compares the
probably Abc responsible or the -
The name - -- signed by
areas' health problems, and that R
from noth "This
altouacher." Judge Prinks seid. add.
Internet to interstate
was far more likely use suments
La absolutely a mangerufan lessue,"
Ing: "Only Congress ran legislate in
Mr. Epiden one
this Area."
In the Georgia case, Judge Maryin
commerce.
"A" Physician Bryan
Whiteread 100. Thermakers wore
shoob blocked the enforcement of .
recent visit law making If . criminal
Capitol Hill shaptics
wrong re that the Defense
Department -- - aggressively
offerse to communicate anonymous
and "Indroare" maintain 10 missore
ly or to Uto . preudonym over the
of a Presidential
poolding 5 answer to me Duald prob-
saying that the no
by E-mail or other direct means.
twoos of Veterans
"Wo'n embarzed on a very exten-
lated the Treespeach protections or
storough pornographic material
pancl's conclusions.
possed on in World wide Web or
nive research program." Me. wall-
the First Amendment
The declaions ware the Im by the
other locations for general viewing
min . "We taxe very seriously
were net covered
and reports of chemical
Federal course to limit growing state
But 18 B/A ovtleged generally
were Minked to warding stress.
The IDDUS latter was released "
allows - regulate the content of the
Internal . global neibers of comput-
posted Web alide or char that
But the panel's findings have been
laree penior Democration Schators
cre chal 19 used by more than 40
made deliborate, specific in
challenged in record - - old
called on the accounting office 10
million prople and is expected to
allicarity by the General Accounting
open & new Investigation or Ameri-
1950 calldren inm viewing corners.
grow to more chan 100 million by
phy. The lets/ imposed prison forms
the invertigative arm of com.
can rellitary docume DN how 10 deal
1000. The state lows wore held to DO
of UD to (our years for anyone con-
gress, which la expected to release .
with - to chemical
well-inionalenog but unconstitutions:
vicled of schoing sexually expirat
repan next *** mat MILL herahly
waspons of the some American troops
criticine the commission.
may have laced in the mu way.
and injunciions were 10 you
material Le children on the Inscrnet.
any criminal presecutions. Officials
and up to byran years for thans can.
A dren of the report and there was
The Benetors - Cerl LOVIA of
In bach claims Paid they were conside
victed of meking assual covences Lo
exidence" linking -
Michigan, renking Democrat an the
uring appeala
can 10 the porte of Health problems
Armso Services Committee: Robert
children nn computer melworks.
The rollings were balled by c/r/l
Online services. electronic and
IMA among the VETETABS.
C. Byru of Wmt Virginia, renking
liberries aroups. library and book.
The author of the Howe letter,
Demostat an the Appropriations
ushers, acher Income users and civil
Commission and John Ginna of Ohio
sollar avociacions. publishers and
liceriles groups Med Full BESCHE after
Representative Bernard Sanders, LA-
dependent of Vermont sake (Dday
renking Democrat on the Govern
others who were plaintiffs In the
the law became allidal and penving
mental Affairs committee - UNIO in
cases. who USC the internal to diaplay
the the White House penol misht
the ouccoss. no OTIC was prosoculed.
I letter to Dio accountry allice that
and disseminate n wide renge of
officials said. Tnc Buic concended that
nave overtanked the passently and
they were "that U.G. mill.
communications, and who might
chemical weapons bud caused the
the 14- violated the First Amend-
cary dectrine has not changed to
have been to presocutions
vaterana' illnesses because the com-
mant treaspeecn rights of Incomet
reflect the boodons barned from the
under this lawa that ware challenged.
misier deparded on die Pentagan
users. and no so-called Commerce
Bulf was expertence"
"Wo believe ONIC is a historic decl-
and the Department of VONTANS N.
sion," sold Norman Singal, oxrcutive
Clause of the Consulution, which wm
"We believe that the mon effec-
(un "IDr a LOS of IC# information."
by the Itemers to prevent
tive course of action LB B provent (he
director of she He- York Civil Liver
The punel's chairroom. Joyce C.
averrenching by individual
experures or combination exposures
use Union, which helped represent
Leanol, the former dean of the public
from constring" the Depators said
the plainatis in the you York case.
that might Icopardize une stowch of
health school at the University of
Jumes J. Tulta x A (ormer Genere
"It Is . huge win for the people of the
the nation and might Interfers in Its
Calliornia at Beranisy cold the mm.
investigntar who 15 now the director
State of New York, It vindiesies
communications and trade.
mine members stood by thatr find-
of the Gulf WM Remarch Hounds.
wher we've been sciling Governor
The - in response artued that
Ings and that LAGIT conclusions were
won said 8 - investigation was
Palaki and oro SCHIE Logislature
the law had boon almed soleir at
reached "alcon un extensive poviow
bodause "the Pentagon's
that they could not and should not
conduct within Now York's borders.
of the we
stendians degial of . cause and affect
censor the Internet."
and nad been nerrowly drawn 5
looked at all of Mero losse."
Polethmship exposite and
onn Dragon, a national viall UCCDE-
criminalise only those who tRed to
in # response this roança to the
Illnase had resulted in policies and
ney for the American CIVIL Liberdes
harm children, eno net to infortore
Canarel Accounting Office. Dr. La-
docume thas continue in place our
Union, who was an ALLORDRY for the
with freedom of speach.
sholl said the deaft report was "not
active auty forces in here's way."
need
to
copied
Bowleo
Please whall
Smar
3
Sommel
6/26
page memo
JUN 6:22
to POTUS
mardled gave privax on undone are is say 10
Thenk
sugu
06/13/97 FRI 18:38 FAX 00000000000
GULF WAR ILLNESS
+++ MELANNE VERVEER
5
002
for Guey
Busick, Paul E.
From:
Busick, Paul E.
To:
@EXECSEC - Executive Secretary
Cc:
/R, Records at A1; @GWI - Gulf War Illnesses; @DEFENSE - Defense Policy; @INTEL-
Intelligence Programs; @LEGAL Legal Advisor; @LEGISLAT Legislative Affair;
@PLANNING - Strat Plan & Comm: @PRESS - Public Affairs; @NSA - Natl Security
Advisor
Subject:
GWI Update Bulletin... [UNCLASSIFIED]
Date:
Friday, June 13, 1997 6:28PM
Don:
A few Items of note..
1) We have received a draft copy of the GAO report called for in the '97 defense authorization act
analyzing the effectiveness of the government's clinical care and medical research programs relating to
possible Gulf War-related illnesses. It is addressed to the Senate Armed Services Committee and the House
National Security Committee. The draft is critical of PAC and agency activities. The chief criticism is that
the delays and missteps in developing a coherent approach to GWI issues (more recent improvements are
acknowledged in a revised draft) have resulted in clinical and research strategies which will not resolve the
most important questions about the causes and treatment of Gulf War-related illnesses. The report
concludes that only more targeted research based on better information on the degree and nature of troop
exposure to harmful substances will be able to eliminate alternative explanations and lead to better clinical
treatment of Gulf War illnesses.
2) The PAC response (to the initial draft) was very pointed and rebutted many of GAO's criticisms
of their conclusions in a point-by-point 10-page letter. After some significant back-and-forth, DOD sent a
partial concurrence to the revised draft, acknowledging their earlier failures, but pointing out they are
currently addressing the problems noted in the findings. VA asked for an extension which was not
forthcoming. They are drafting a response which they plan to send to GAO Monday taking exception to
those findings they feel are in error. I am monitoring closely and have pressed VA to push back on GAO
where there is factual error, or where they have failed to adequately account for current activity. Phil
Shenon is aware of the GAO draft, called the PAC from Brussels for a comment, (but didn't get one), so
we may see a piece on it this weekend.
3) Ideally, the exposure modelling recently concluded at Dugway will help enable us to address
some of the GAO report's criticisms as well. The Dugway tests were small scale demolitions of 9 stacked
rockets. The tapes show several slow motion flyaways and warheads cracking on impact and leaking into
the ground, as opposed to the vaporization many in the media expected. This is "good news" as it means
there was less chemical warfare agent in the air to be dispersed over troops in the area. The data is still
very preliminary as DOD/CIA have to scale-up the demolition model to the larger stacks actually destroyed,
then apply that info to a meteorological model developed separately. That will then be compared to troop
locator data which is also being significantly improved to determine who might actually have been exposed.
All of this is scheduled for completion by 20/21 July and will be publicly briefed.
4) David Martin of CBS will probably have a piece on the evening news about the Dugway tests.
Martin told CBS they'd, "probably like the story", indicating they were impressed with the vigor, level of
effort and detail with which CIA and DOD are pursuing the issue. CBS is likely to conclude that fewer
people were actually exposed than had previously been thought, though DOD and CIA say its too early to
make that determination.
5) I will meet with a large group of VSO's next Wednesday morning at VA to participate in a
briefing of the DOD Birth Defect study recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The
objective is to give them the facts for their consideration prior to their summer conventions. I will also
highlight POTUS' continuing commitment to the issue.
cc: Paul Kitty Higgins & Anne McGuire; Jack Gibbons & Cliff Gabriel; Melanne Verveer & Nicole Rabner; AI
Maldon; Laura Marcus
Page 1
06/16/97 MON 16:08 FAX 00000000000
GULF WAR ILLNESS
+++ MELANNE VERVEER
1
002
file 6nly and
Busick, Paul E.
From:
Busick, Paul E.
To:
@EXECSEC - Executive Secretary
Cc:
@DEFENSE - Defense Policy: @GWI Gulf War Illnesses; @INTEL- Intelligence
Programs; @LEGAL- - Legal Advisor; @LEGISLAT Legislative Affairs; @NSA Natl
Security Advisor; @PLANNING - Strat Plan & Comm; @PRESS - Public Affairs; /R
Records
Subject:
GWI Update Bulletin... [UNCLASSIFIED]
Date:
Monday, June 16, 1997 3:17PM
Don:
Here's a quick status report on events today:
1) There continues to be press interest in the draft GAO report although Mike McCurry did not get
any questions at the afternoon press event. We provided press guidance for White House and First Lady's
office use this morning. SEC Cohen made some brief remarks on his trip indicating DOD's commitment to
seeking out answers to the problems and his personal concerns. DOD is going to make Dr. Rostker( their
Special Assistant on the issue) and Dr. Christopherson (from Health Affairs) available this afternoon to
respond to questions on the issue. They will NOT be critical of GAO, but will point out those areas where
GAO has said they need to do things differently that may in fact already be in progress.
2) Kitty and I were able to arrange a 1400 meeting between the PAC and GAO to review the
PAC's concerns on the report. That will be followed by a 1600 VA, DOD and GAO meeting to review the
report. DOD will mention the meetings today at their press availability. I plan to have someone from
NSC/GWI attend the 1600 meeting. I emphasized to GAO that our concerns were: a) POTUS' commitment
to leaving no stone unturned, b) that their report accurately reflect the state of play as to what the
agencies' current programs are, and c) to that end that it would be most helpful to the veterans if we
could resolve as many points of contention as we can before the GAO final report is released. I also noted
that our interests lay in finding the cause or causes of the illnesses and any recommendations that will help
us improve our program.
3) We'll provide a more complete update later this evening when reports from the GAO meetings
and press availability are available.
cc: Paul Kitty Higgins & Anne McGuire; Jack Gibbons & Cliff Gabriel; Melanne Verveer & Nicole Rabner; Al
Maldon; Laura Marcus
Page 1
08/06/97 WED 18:15 FAX 00000000000
GULF WAR ILLNESS
+++ MELANNE VERVEER
5
001
file Gulf wer
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
GULF WAR ILLNESSES
DIRECTORATE
NATIONAL
From: Jeremy Pam
SECURITY
To: Thurgood Marshall Jr. & Ann McGuire; Jack
Gibbons & Cliff Gabriel; Melanne Verveer & Nicole
COUNCIL
Rabner; AI Maldon; Laura Marcus
Agency: EOP
17th & Penn, N.W.
Fax Number: 6-2983/6-6021/6-6244/6-2604/6-1907
Washington, D.C.
Date/Time: 6 Aug 97/1815
20504
No. of pages to follow: 1
Did you get a complete,
Subject: GWI Update Bulletin.
clear transmission? If not,
please call:
(202) 456-9391
FAX 456-9390
08/06/97 WED 18:16 FAX 00000000000
GULF WAR ILLNESS
+++ MELANNE VERVEER
5
002
Busick, Paul E.
From:
Busick, Paul E.
Sent:
Wednesday, August 06, 1997 6:09 PM
To:
Kerrick, Donald L.; @EXECSEC - Executive Secretary
Cc:
@DEFENSE - Defense Policy; @INTEL- Intelligence Programs; @LEGAL- Legal Advisor;
@LEGISLAT Legislative Affairs; @NSA- Nati Security Advisor; @PLANNING- - Strat Plan &
Comm; @PRESS- Public Affairs; @GWI. Gulf War Illnesses; @NESASIA - NE/South Asia;
Bolan, Christopher J.
Subject:
GWI Update Bulletin... [UNCLASSIFIED]
Don:
1) The PAC holds its final public hearing on SEP 4 and 5. As expected. the agenda consists of a final review of progress
on the recommendations they made in their final report last January, and updates on several investigations ongoing
primarily within DOD. Of significant concern is the PAC staff's preliminary view that the Committee is very likely to
conclude that DOD still requires considerable oversight of its efforts to investigate events that occurred in the Gulf War
that may have bearing on veterans' illnesses and of DOD's implementation of many of the PAC's recommendations,
particularly with respect to medical monitoring issues.
2) That outcome raises the issue of how we might wish to respond to a recommendation for continued oversight. While
the variety of possibilities is large, there are several broad categories from which to choose to begin to focus our thought
process, including the following questions.
Do we want continued oversight?
If yes: should it be "Presidential" in nature?(extend the PAC or daughter of PAC?)
should it provide oversight to all agencies or just DOD?
If no: would some other group/body be likely to do this anyway? (Congress, other?)
Recognizing the independence of the PAC, and the near certainty they will recommend continued oversight, should we try
to orchestrate an outcome before the PAC hearing or see what we get and then respond?
3) I would appreciate thoughts from all addressees by Friday so that 1 might be able to pull together an options paper to
focus our thinking early next week.
Paul
CC: Thurgood Marshall, Jr./Ann McGuire; Jack Gibbons/Cliff Gabriel; Melanne Verveer/Nicole Rabner; AI Maldon; Laura
Marcus
1
02/05/97 WED 20:25 FAX 00000000000
GULF WAR ILLNESS
+++ MELANNE VERVEER
1
002
free Gulf was
Rosa, Frederick M.
From:
Busick, Paul E.
To:
@EXECSEC Executive Secretary
Cc:
/R, Record at A1; @GWI Gulf War Illnesses; @DEFENSE - Defense Policy; @LEGAL
Legal Advisor: @LEGISLAT-Legislative Affairs; @PLANNING - Strat Plan & Comm;
@PRESS - Public Affairs; @NSA Natl Security Advisor
Subject:
GWI Update Bulletin. [UNCLASSIFIED]
Date:
Wednesday, February 05, 1997 7:15PM
Don:
1) As reported last evening, SENs Specter and Rockefeller announced the hire of Michael Rotko for
a one-year investigation into Gulf War Illnesses. We understand they've also asked the Rules Committee
for authority to hire up to 20 additional people to form a "special investigation unit" within the Committee
staff. SEN Rockefeller's press release says it is to look at allegations of "inadequate health care at VA
facilities," and the "Pentagon's lack of credibility" in its investigative efforts. SEN Specter's release says
the investigation will look at "the adequacy, focus and conclusions of the research [portfolio].. the
extent to which DOD will account for its failure to provide all information on the use or destruction of
Iraqi chemical and biological weapons. whether vets were "subjected to experimental vaccines...," and
why so many vets "report that VA treatment. is ineffective."
2) I briefed the Joint Chiefs today on my sense of the "White House" view on GWI issues. Dr.
Rostker also presented an update on his efforts to investigate past events in the Gulf War. I commended
DOD for its efforts since November, and then stressed the need for openness, continued commitment, the
need to act cooperatively with VA and HHS, and the absolute requirement of a strong follow-through to
implement PAC recommendations. I made it clear that the overall DOD response to the PAC
recommendations will ultimately be the litmus test for the public in terms of whether DOD restores its
damaged credibility. The Chairman is clearly engaged on the GWI problem.
3) I met with Bob Tyrer(sp?), SEC Cohen's chief of staff, for about an hour with both Rostker and
Scott Harris. I made roughly the same points (as in #2 above), and praised both Dr. Rostker and Dr. White
for their efforts. He confirmed the Secretary's interest in the issue. I also raised the issue of the
Specter/Rockefeller announcement today. and pointed out that there were 2 IGs and an Intel Oversight
investigation already in progress. SEC Cohen stepped into the meeting for a few minutes to express his
interest and appreciation for our efforts.
4) DOD thinks the "Eye on America" segment on Khamisiyah will now air Friday because of interest
in both the Army's Sergeant Major sexual harassment allegations and DOD budget politics.
5) As reflected in several recent press reports, the "Khamisiyah cohort" (i.e., those within 50 km of
the event) may increase in size from approximately 25k to almost 40k owing to DOD's receiving
information that GEN McCaffrey's entire division was within the 50km zone. Dr. Rostker's team is
evaluating this information and will send out as many additional notifications and surveys as necessary to
all of the new personnel identified.
CC: Kitty Higgins & Ann McGuire; Jack Gibbons & Cliff Gabriel; Melanne Verveer & Nicole Rabner; AI
Maldon
Page 1