As requested, I am presenting the information I have regarding the possibility that DZ-5 nerve gas is aboard the Oceanic Flight #343.

Six months ago, a shipment of DZ-5 -- the most lethal nerve toxin in the world -- was en route to Germany from Russia for disposal under ther biological weapons treaty. The DZ-5 shipment was hijacked and is now believed to be in the hands of Asmed Rhasjami, an arms dealer with ties to the hijackers on board Oceanic Flight #343.

An F.B.I. cross-check of Flight #343's cargo and passenger manifests indicate that a 250 kg. piece of cargo has been found to have bogus points of origin and detination. The contents of this cargo are therefore suspect, and my theory is that it contains the hijacked DZ-5 nerve gas in a quantity that would result in a minimum of 50,000 to 100,000 casualties if released.

I believe that Hassan is planning to release the DZ-5 over Washington in order to carry out his personal goal of destroying the American people. I believe that his demands for the release of Jaffa is merely a cover for his true plans, which are far deadlier.

My conclusion, therefore, is that if we acceed to Hassan's demands and seek to save the plane's passengers by permitting Hassan into our airspace, we would be playing into his hand and allowing him to release the DZ-5 over Washington.

I recommend that we take every action within our power to preclude Flight #343 from nearing its destination. While I do not wish to encourage a decision that would result in the sacrifice of Flight #343's four hundred American pasengers, failure to destroy the aircraft could quite possibly result in the destruction of hundreds of thousands of lives.

We must either destroy the aircraft and its passengers and cargo, or attempt a dangerous and untried interception of the plane in the air using Ramora, a delivery aircraft developed by ARPA. I have left information about the delivery plane, and a videotape demonstrating the docking process on your desks. As you will see, the procedure is quite risky. But I believe we must consider the option of using the Ramora as the only alternative to destroying the aircraft and its passengers.

Please let me know if I can provide you with any further information regarding this matter. I appreciate your consideration of this extremely sensitive and difficult decision.

Sincerely,

David Grant, PhD