Morgan calms bio-terror fears

Mr Morgan sought to calm terror fears in the chamber

Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan has said there is no evidence of threats of bio-terrorism attacks in Wales.

He said extra security measures were being taken at the assembly, and advised the public to go about their lives as normal.

There have also been anthrax scares in Australia

He was speaking to assembly members as they reconvened after summer recess to discuss possible Welsh repurcussions of the bombings in Afghanistan.

His reassurances came as two more people were diagnosed with anthrax in the United States.

Anthrax scare

A baby boy and a 73-year-old man became the latest to contract the disease after a spate of cases in the wake of retaliatory attacks on targets in Afghanistan.

Speaking in the assembly chamber in Cardiff Bay, Mr Morgan said there was no need for the Welsh public to buy protective masks, despite heightened fears of chemical attack.

There is no evidence of a specific threat against Wales and the UK in general

Rhodri Morgan, First Minister

"There has been considerable speculation in the press concerning the threat of bio-terrorism and chemical and biological warfare," he said.

"It must be reiterated that there is no evidence of a specific threat against Wales and the UK in general but, nevertheless, it is important that people stay vigilant.

"There is every reason for people to go about their daily business as normal."

Plans reviewed

Mr Morgan added that water and sewerage companies were required by law to have emergency plans and he said plans at nuclear power plants were under review.

Plaid Cymru president Ieuan Wyn Jones said the conflict, which has seen the US and UK launch military strikes on al-Quaeda and Taleban targets across Afghanistan, was nearing a "humanitarian catastrophe."

Rhodri Morgan: Emergency response

After earlier calling for an end to the strikes, he told AMs the UN should take charge of the situation when the conflict is over.

Mr Morgan said it would be inappropriate to speculate on the number of Welsh deaths in the attacks on the World Trade Center on 11 September.

"An authoritative list of Welsh victims is not available," he said.

Attack revulsion

"This is understandable not only because the process of identification is continuing but also because families do want privacy at what must be a horrendously difficult time for them."

And he repeated his revulsion at revenge attacks on Muslims in Britain in the wake of the atrocities.

He added: "If another emergency was to develop, my intention is that a co-ordination centre would be established to act as a conduit between all the emergency services in Wales and between Wales and Whitehall.

However, the Welsh Assembly has no formal jurisdiction to handle any possible emergencies in Wales, with arrangements instead being made by the UK Government.