US President Joe Biden fixed a three month timeline and ordered US intelligence agencies to report to him if novel coronavirus triggering COVID-19 first emerged in China from an animal source or from an accident in a laboratory.
In a statement released by the White House, Biden said, agencies should “redouble their efforts to collect and analyze information that could bring us closer to a definitive conclusion, and to report back to me in 90 days.”
According to President Biden, agencies are currently split over the two possible sources for the virus that has led to the pandemic worldwide leaving behind millions infected and hundreds and thousands of families shattered.
“As of today, the U.S. Intelligence Community has “coalesced around two likely scenarios” but has not reached a definitive conclusion on this question. Here is their current position: “while two elements in the IC leans toward the former scenario and one leans more toward the latter – each with low or moderate confidence – the majority of elements do not believe there is sufficient information to assess one to be more likely than the other.”
I have now asked the Intelligence Community to redouble their efforts to collect and analyze information that could bring us closer to a definitive conclusion, and to report back to me in 90 days,” Biden said in the statement.
As a part of the report, Biden has put the spotlight on China. “As part of that report, I have asked for areas of further inquiry that may be required, including specific questions for China. I have also asked that this effort include work by our National Labs and other agencies of our government to augment the Intelligence Community’s efforts,” he said as per the statement.
Biden’s order is bound to escalate tensions with Xi administration which is struggling hard to steer clear of allegations that the virus emerged from the Wuhan laboratory. China has been steadfast in denying all allegations.
Stepping up coordinated international pressure on China, Biden called for a “transparent” investigation. “The United States will also keep working with like-minded partners around the world to press China to participate in a full, transparent, evidence-based international investigation and to provide access to all relevant data and evidence,” he said.