the rollback of south africa's biological warfare program
the rollback of south africa's biological warfare program
the rollback of south africa's biological warfare program
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done all over by all countries, even England at Porton Down and <strong>the</strong><br />
Americans at Fort Detrick. We know <strong>the</strong>y were doing it, and we had contacts<br />
with all that work and <strong>the</strong> weapons that were developed.” Frontline<br />
transcripts from Plague Wars: A report on <strong>biological</strong> weapons threats and<br />
how <strong>the</strong> Soviet Union secretly amassed an arsenal <strong>of</strong> bio-weapons.<br />
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/plague/sa/. (Accessed 15 June<br />
2000).<br />
109 Interview with Dr. G. Scharf, 6 July 2000.<br />
110 Interview with prosecutor in <strong>the</strong> Basson trial, July 2000.<br />
111 Affidavits and memorandums on file at <strong>the</strong> Freedom <strong>of</strong> Expression Institute,<br />
Johannesburg, South Africa. Prosecutors have already introduced into <strong>the</strong> trial<br />
documents found in Webster’s possession that indicate that <strong>the</strong> WPW group<br />
was started in <strong>the</strong> early 1980s by a group <strong>of</strong> South African doctors. According<br />
to <strong>the</strong>se documents, <strong>the</strong>y were tasked by sou<strong>the</strong>rn African health authorities to<br />
set up clinics in various African countries. The State alleges that Basson set up<br />
<strong>the</strong> companies to create a cover for himself as a successful businessman.<br />
“Audit reveals Basson fraud,” Business Day, (14 June 2000).<br />
112 Unlike <strong>the</strong> allegations <strong>of</strong> murder that rest on proving an indirect link to<br />
Basson, many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fraud charges already introduced at <strong>the</strong> Basson trial<br />
established his direct involvement. Documents in Webster’s possession<br />
showed Basson was <strong>the</strong> sole shareholder and beneficiary owner <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> various<br />
companies in his groups. Bruwer, <strong>the</strong> forensic auditor, introduced documents<br />
that proved that Basson’s overseas companies, known as <strong>the</strong> WPW Group, and<br />
a local one, Wisdom Group had changed names and were restructured<br />
regularly. These restructurings complicated <strong>the</strong> investigation and made it more<br />
difficult to trace <strong>the</strong> flow <strong>of</strong> funds. None<strong>the</strong>less, Bruwer was able to establish<br />
in detail <strong>the</strong> assets <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se companies, which included two aircraft and<br />
properties in South Africa and overseas, as well as shares in o<strong>the</strong>r companies,<br />
all allegedly funded by state money. The state is trying to prove that Basson set<br />
up <strong>the</strong> companies to create a cover for himself as a “successful businessman.”<br />
Business Day, 14 June 2000.<br />
113 Interview with Jacques Pauw, Johannesburg, 29 June 2000. Pauw had<br />
interviewed <strong>the</strong> Project Coast scientists, including Andre Immelman, Schalk<br />
van Rensburg, Mike Odendaal, Daan Goosens, and Peter Lourens.<br />
114 Interview with Col. (ret.) Johann Smith, 30 June 2000. Negotiations with<br />
Mandela and <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Angolan war led Basson and o<strong>the</strong>rs to take<br />
advantage <strong>of</strong> a window <strong>of</strong> opportunity to get rich. He was able to deceive top<br />
generals and salted away millions. Smith was certain that Basson turned to<br />
dealing ecstasy and o<strong>the</strong>r drugs, because his money was in Swiss banks, and<br />
104