Talks with Islamic scientists 'welcome'

US and Russian scientists are working together and "will do so increasingly"

		By Alex Kirby BBC News Online environment correspondent

The science and technology adviser to US Secretary of State Colin Powell says he wants a dialogue with scientists from the Islamic world.

The adviser, Dr Norman Neureiter, said contacts between US and Russian scientists were developing and would increase.

He said the terrorist attacks on America meant no-one would call it isolationist any more. And Americans' desire for international co-operation would outlast the present crisis.

Dr Neureiter, an organic chemist who was appointed in September 2000, was speaking to journalists in London.

He told BBC News Online: "The administration was surprised by the very pronounced world reaction to its repudiation of the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

"But while we were dismayed by that, we've been far more encouraged by the reaction to the terrorist attacks. I think our realisation of the importance of other nations will have a long-term effect.

Joint effort needed

"The other day Colin Powell said: 'No-one calls us unilateralist any more'.

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"Someone described our policy as 'a la carte multilateralism', and some of the administration's early statements made it pretty easy to say that.

"But we've been made very aware that if we are to get at this terrorist problem, we'll have to do it with the co-operation of people around the world."

Last July the US refused to sign an international agreement designed to enforce a ban on the use of biological weapons.

Dr Neureiter said: "We took some bad publicity for our opposition to it, which was based on our belief that it wouldn't do the job. We'd like to see a series of protocols which would make it more effective."

Asked about more co-operation between scientists, he told BBC News Online: "There'll be an increase in scientific and technological co-operation between us and the Russians.

"I'm not sure which will be the main areas, but chemical and biological warfare is obviously a candidate.

"We all face the same threats. We don't know where the anthrax is coming from at the moment, though we tend to think it's related to the other terrorist acts.

Scientists' responsibility

"The US and Russian academies of science have had one meeting on the impacts of terrorism, and they're due to have another.

"When you listen to some of this messianic fundamentalism, you wonder whether dialogue can work.

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"But I believe in engagement, I believe that scientific co-operation can lead to understanding. There's a great responsibility on scientists.

"Three Islamic countries expressed deep concern to our academy of sciences over the 11 September attacks and the crisis that's followed.

"Three Muslim academies of science are involved in a United Nations inter-academy council which is advising the secretary-general, Kofi Annan.

"I'd welcome a dialogue with scientists from the Islamic world."

Rogue missile

Dr Neureiter said it was clear to him that the administration still wanted to go ahead with the proposed missile defence system, known as "son of star wars".

Asked if it could actually work, he said: "It depends what you're trying to do.

"If you're facing a massive attack by missiles armed with multiple warheads, you won't get them all.

"But if it decreases the chance of a rogue missile getting through, then it's worth it."