I. Dr. S. Katz, 22 July 1998 wrote to William S Cohen ,Secretary of Defense, stating:

(1) U.S. nuclear research programs [1945 - 1999] for the development of therapy for victims of a nuclear catastrophe have been complete failures.

(2) However, the radiation biology unit at Naval Medical Research Institute, NMRI, isolated a Radiation Ameliorating Factor- Spleen (RAFS) [Katz,S. and Ellinger,F.,"Isolation of a Radiation-Mortality Reducing Factor from Spleen." NATURE,197,397, 1963 ]. Control subjects exposed to near-lethal dosages of X-irradiation had a survival rate of 350 survivors/1000; whereas, the RAFS treated subjects had 650 survivors/1000. This research was terminated in midstream by the activation the Armed Force Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI) in 1962.

(3) After Chernobyl 1986 until the present, repeated letters to the research directors of AFRRI stating that Katz would come from Israel to Washington DC, at his own expense, to brief them on this spleen protective factor, RAFS - never elicited any meaningful responses.

II. This letter to the Secretary of Defense resulted in a reply from Foster, Robert E. Director, Environmental & Life Sciences ,16 Nov.1998. Dr. Katz responded stating:

(1) Katz would come from Israel to Washington D.C at his own expense.
(2) Stay in Washington D.C for 11 days, Thursday 4 - Monday 15 March 1999.
(3) Requested a meeting (seminar ) with AFRRI plus observers from National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Research Council (NRC).

III. Foster, R.E. set a session at 4:00 P.M., Friday, 12 March 1999 [day 9 of 11 day stay].

IV. The scenario was as follows:
(1) (i) Katz enters Foster's office: 3:45 P.M, Friday, 12 March 1999.
     (ii) Katz escorted from Foster's office: 4:30 P.M, Friday, 12 March l999.

(2) Immediately upon arrival Katz was ushered in a room - containing four AFRRI personnel and Foster - no introductions.

(3) Katz's presentation mirrored the surrounding. After about 40 minutes an AFRRI person stated: "At
AFRRI we study pure biological agents whose biological activities are well defined and understood".

(4) Katz's reply - "In the beginning - these agents had to be isolated, purified and characterized. At present these agents and their total-body functions are subject to intense debate and controversy with respect to their near and long-term action and safety".

(5) Foster, Robert E. - summarily terminated the presentation and escorted Dr. Katz out.

V. Comment: Foster.R.E. a soft-spoken amiable cautious office manager unfortunately lacks the specialized knowledge and the current scientific tools necessary to comprehend/analyze the technical factors involved in modern radiation biology. This in part may rationalize his inability to effectively monitor/oversee these ineptly conceived nuclear protection projects.