US probe into COVID origin not scientific, just a call for ‘fabricated’ evidence: Analyst

The newly-announced investigation by the administration of US President Joe Biden into the origin of the deadly coronavirus whether it leaked from a virology laboratory in the Chinese city of Wuhan is not “scientific” but a call for “fabricated evidence,” an American political journalist has said.

Ian Goodrum, a senior editor and columnist with English-language daily newspaper China Daily, made the remarks in an interview with Press TV on Friday, as he was commenting on Biden’s call on US intelligence agencies to carry out a probe into the origin of the COVID-19 virus and report back within 90 days.

Asked as to why a scientific probe should be announced before it even gets started if it is to be scientifically unbiased, Goodrum said it is because the investigation is unscientific.

“The answer is very simple: It isn't a scientific probe,” the American journalist said. “By directing US intelligence agencies to conduct a review rather than scientific bodies, the Biden administration tips its hand. It's essentially a call for fabricated ‘evidence’ in service of the long-discredited ‘lab leak’ hypothesis, yet another salvo in the unending campaign against China's ascendance on the world stage.”

Goodrum pointed to the narrative being formed “out of thin air” about the origin of the flu-like pathogen and highlighted the distinction between a political inquiry and a scientific one.

“Scientific analysis can be a long and protracted process, especially in the quest to determine the origin of a pathogen,” he said, adding, “It took more than 10 years for a definitive animal reservoir to be found for SARS. The original host for the Ebola virus still has yet to be known.”

The US political journalist underlined that, “In the absence of a ‘smoking gun’ due to the methodical nature of virological or epidemiological investigation, one will be invented for political expediency.”

Last week, Biden ordered US intelligence officials to “redouble” their efforts to investigate the pandemic's beginnings and determine whether it came from a lab accident in Wuhan or emerged from human contact with an infected animal.

China blasts probe into COVID origin; warns US ‘could meet its Waterloo’

China has lambasted a newly-announced probe by the Biden administration into the origin of coronavirus, warning that Washington “could meet its Waterloo in this battle.”

The theory that the contagion had leaked from the Chinese lab was originally hyped up by, among others, the administration of former US president Donald Trump as part of his hawkish anti-China policies.

Since infecting its first victims in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019, the pandemic has spread to nearly every country across the globe, killing more than 3.4 million people so far.

China also called on the US to give a full clarification on its bio-military activities at home and abroad, a matter of concern shared by Russia and others.

‘America’s lack of trust in EU leaders resulted in espionage’

Elsewhere in the interview with Press TV, Goodrum pointed to the lack of trust between the US and its European allies, which had caused Washington to spy on European leaders and other allies around the world.

The US journalist said he saw eye to eye with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin who denounced the move as definitely “unacceptable and intolerable” and stressed that Washington should be brought to justice.

“The US engages in this kind of wanton hypocrisy because it knows it won't be held accountable,” Goodrum said. “No one will be brought up on charges, as no spied-upon country has the economic or political heft to demand consequences and no international body has the authority to ensure justice is served. Until there's a common understanding of the US' true nature, these actions will continue unabated.”

US spy agency colluded with Denmark to snoop on Merkel, other top EU leaders: Reports

The National Security Agency (NSA) reportedly colluded with Denmark’s military intelligence unit to snoop on senior European officials.

Danish public broadcaster DR reported on Sunday that the infamous US spy network, National Security Agency (NSA), had eavesdropped on Danish underwater internet cables from 2012 to 2014 to spy on top politicians across Europe -- from France and Germany to Norway and Sweden.

The report revealed that the NSA had taken advantage of surveillance collaboration with Denmark's military intelligence unit, FE, for spying.

The spy agency reportedly got access to text messages, telephone calls and internet traffic including searches, chats and messaging services of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and other politicians.

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www.presstv.co.uk