NAMRU-2
 NAMRU-2  (US/Biological weapons, Biolab)   | |
|---|---|
| Successor | Naval Medical Research Center |
| Formation | 1944 |
| Headquarters | Phnom Phen, Cambodia |
| US Navy biological research unit kicked out of Indonesia for suspected biological warfare activities. | |
NAMRU-2 (Naval Medical Research Unit 2) is a biomedical research laboratory of the US Navy.
Area of operation
It was founded at Rockefeller University in New York City in 1944.
NAMRU-2 operates in several countries in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Laos, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia. In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, NAMRU-2 opened, outfitted, and staffed a satellite laboratory to conduct regional infectious disease outbreak research, and diagnostic laboratory support within the Office of Defense Cooperation, U.S. Embassy Singapore.[1][2]
In 1998, NAMRU-2 became part of the newly reorganized Naval Medical Research Center.[3]
Biological warfare
In 1970, NAMRU-2 would establish a detachment in Jakarta, Indonesia upon the invitation of Indonesian Ministry of Health officials.[4] US staff were given diplomatic immunity.
In 2008, Indonesian health minister Siti Fadilah Supari strongly believed that NAMRU-2 operation in Indonesia should be halted, under the suspicion that it also performed intelligence activity on behalf of the US government, to gather information and resources that could be used in biological warfare (especially those related to avian influenza virus).[5]
This allegation was based on the information regarding NAMRU-2 crews' activities during the study on malaria. The crews were not only taking blood samples of the malaria patients, but also performed mapping and investigation on the possible contagion route, which even though looked like credible research activities, could also be used to obtain information for intelligence purposes.[5]
his allegation was supported further by an incident related to NAMRU-2’s proposal to build a small airfield in Papua. It mentioned the need of flying medical supplies to remote study sites as the reason for the proposal, however, it was later revealed that one of the persons involved in the proposal was connected to US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which prompted the Indonesian government to reject the proposal. Subardo, former head of Indonesian counterintelligence agency, also alleged that NAMRU-2 was a device used for US intelligence activity, and requested Indonesian State Intelligence Agency (Badan Intelijen Nasional, BIN) to take necessary actions.[5]
NAMRU-2 also rejected unannounced inspection on its facilities by Health Minister Supari without providing clear reasons, which added up to the basis for the allegation that NAMRU-2 did conceal something from the Indonesian government.[5]
References
- ↑ http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/namru2pacific/Pages/default.aspx
- ↑ http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmrc/Pages/namru_2.htm#
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20111010122812/http://ww2.dcmilitary.com/special_sections/sw/090110Ft_Detrick/Ft_Detrick_2010jhc.pdf
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20111015145115/https://jakarta.usembassy.gov/pr_04232008.html
- ↑ a b c d https://archive.is/ESugE
