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The International Chemical Weapons Supervisory Agency told the UN Security Council that its experts investigated 77 allegations against Syria and reached conclusions in 17 cases of possible or certain use of chemical weapons.
The head of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Fernando Arias (Fernando Arias) said on Thursday that eight years after Syria’s accession to the chemical weapons convention banning the production or use of such weapons, many problems still exist. This is a “decree”. The uneasy reality”. Initial declaration of its weapons, stocks and precursors and its continuing plans.
He said that the OPCW will discuss a new issue in the next consultation with Syria-“A new chemical weapon agent was found in a sample collected in a large storage container in September 2020.”
Arias said that he wrote to the Syrian government that he planned to send an OPCW team between May 18 and June 1 to investigate the issue and apply for a visa, but he never received a response.
He stated that he informed Damascus that he would postpone his arrival until May 28. Since Syria did not reply before May 26, he said: “I have decided to postpone the task until further notice.”
Chemical Weapons Convention
In September 2013, after the West blamed Damascus for chemical weapons attacks, Syria was pressured by its close ally Russia to join the Chemical Weapons Convention.
By August 2014, the government of President Bashar al-Assad announced that the destruction of its chemical weapons had been completed. But Syria’s initial statement of the OPCW has been controversial.
In April 2020, OPCW investigators blamed the Syrian government for the three chemical attacks in 2017.
The OPCW Executive Committee responded by asking Syria to provide details.
If not, France submitted a draft measure on behalf of 46 countries in November that year to suspend Syria’s “rights and privileges” in global regulatory agencies.
In an unprecedented vote on April 21, the OPCW suspended Syria’s rights until all outstanding issues were resolved.
Russia severely criticized the OPCW and its investigators, accused them of factual and technical errors, and acted under pressure from Western countries.
Russia’s UN ambassador Vasily Nebenzia continued his attacks on Thursday, accusing the chemical weapons watchdog of using information from “biased sources against the Syrian government” to collect evidence remotely and relying on “perjury witnesses”.
He said that the purpose of the board meeting was not to “interrogate” Arias by asking “disturbing” questions, as some board members said, but to “work together to improve the pathetic situation in the OPCW.” Happening”.
“We need to talk frankly with the leadership of the OPCW to prevent further erosion of its authority and prevent the tragic situation that occurred in April from recurring” when it voted to “deprive… a sovereign country that faithfully abides by chemical weapons.” Ability meeting, Nebenzia said.
“We are worried that its work is becoming more and more politicized. This was initiated by our Western colleagues.”
The Russian ambassador said he was surprised that Arias was surprised that Syria did not cooperate with the OPCW investigation team responsible for determining responsibility for the chemical attack.
“It is not surprising that Syria never recognized the legitimacy of the organization, nor did we,” Nebenzia said.
“The group was established illegally. You cannot expect Syria to cooperate with it.”
Clear facts
British ambassador to the United Nations Barbara Woodward retorted that “the facts of this case are clear.”
“Syria’s initial chemical weapons statement had 20 unresolved issues, which is deeply worrying,” she said.
“The United Nations and the OPCW have attributed eight chemical weapons attacks to the Syrian regime. It is clear that the regime has retained the capabilities and willingness to use chemical weapons.”
Woodward stated that the Security Council will continue to adhere to Syria’s comprehensive cooperation with the OPCW, “as well as a comprehensive and verifiable plan to destroy Syria’s chemical.”
US Deputy Ambassador Richard Mills stated that “any false information supported by Syria and its very few supporters cannot deny or weaken the credibility of the evidence provided to us by the OPCW.”
Mills said: “With the support of Russia, the Assad regime continues to ignore the international community’s call for full disclosure and verifiable destruction of its chemical weapons program.”
“If you are not responsible for the atrocities committed by the Syrian people, lasting peace in Syria will remain out of reach. The United States once again calls for justice and accountability as a key component of helping Syria move towards a political settlement of the conflict.”
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