From:	justinf@****.caltech.edu (Justin Fang)
Subject:	La Paz
Date:	Sun, 10 Mar 1996 23:32:45 -0800 (PST)

>>>>>[Speaking of Maxim...

+++++begin newsclip.turner-network.57-03-11.02:23:33

A tense looking Michael Novacek, clad in a dark grey trenchcoat and flanked
by several Amazonian soldiers with assault rifles, faces the camera. "...thank
you, Chelsea. I'm reporting live from La Paz, Amazonia, near the scene of an
apparent terrorist attack on a Maxim Incorporated facility. For those who
just tuned in, La Paz and its environs are in a state of emergency following
the discharge of radioactive smoke from the Maxim site. The Amazonian
government has released the preliminary findings of the Army's Engineering
Corps, stating that dangerous levels of plutonium, a byproduct of nuclear
fission and a component of certain types of nuclear weapons, were discovered
inside a demolished warehouse. Despite the protests of Maxim guards in the
wake of the attack, Amazonian military forces have secured the base as a
direct threat to national security and have taken measures to stop the outflow
of radiation. Over one half of the employees present at the facility during
the attack were exposed to varying amounts of radiation, though we are told
that noone received a lethal dose. All Maxim personel on the base were
taken into custody by the military, who has administered medical attention and
has promised to fly them to North America within another 36 hours.
Fortunately, the amount of radiation spread beyond the confines of the base was
minimal according to the engineers, and should pose no appreciable
environmental or health risk."

"Has the military commented on how the plutonium could have arrived at the
site?" Chelsea inquires. "Good question, Chelsea," Michael says nervously,
his
usual smile looking distinctly pallid as he eyes the soldiers around him.
"The Amazonian government is being very careful to avoid the appearance of
partiality here. A few hours ago, a joint team of experts summoned from
Aztlan, UCAS, CAS, and several other countries was allowed to examine the
site to confirm the initial Amazonian analysis. They have reportedly
confirmed that the plutonium was definitely present in the warehouse _prior_
to the attack. Pieces of what the team referred to as "containment vessels"
were also discovered, suggesting that the nuclear material may have been
present for some time without attracting notice. All of the Maxim employees
the Amazonian government has interviewed so far profess to have _no_
knowledge about the presence of the material. And _also_," Michael says,
glancing fleetingly at something to the side of the camera, "the Amazonian
government wishes to...stress the quantity of plutonium discovered: enough for
several critical masses."

"Good god. Was there any chance of a nuclear explosion or seepage into the
water table?" Chelsea gasps. "Apparently the construction of the bunker
precluded either possibility, fortunately for the residents of La Paz. The
Amazonian forces have been extremely..._scrupulous_ in their handling of the
incident, including making sure that the press doesn't accidentally...disturb
something. Our cameras are currently being kept from the scene itself while
the investigation continues, though we have been promised the right to pilot a
drone in, under supervision, by this time tomorrow. Until then, we'll keep in
contact with the Amazonian government and continue to furnish updates as the
situation develops. For Turner Networks, this Michael Novacek, reporting."

+++++end newsclip.turner-network.57-03-11.02:23:33
]<<<<<
-- Fisher <02:28:46 EST / 03-11-57>
Fisher Data Systems