Efforts Remain Unsuccessful in Organizing Consultations with Syria, Senior Official Tells Security Council, Calling for Country’s Full Cooperation
All efforts by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to organize the next round of consultations with Syria remain unsuccessful, the United Nations disarmament chief told the Security Council today, calling for Syria’s full cooperation to close all outstanding issues.
Izumi Nakamitsu, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, recalling that the last round of consultations between the Declaration Assessment Team and the Syrian National Authority was in February 2021, said that, despite Syria’s agreement to address the declaration-related issues, the OPCW Technical Secretariat has yet to receive any declarations or other documents requested. As such, the Technical Secretariat has deployed a reduced team comprised of several members of the Declaration Assessment Team to Syria to conduct limited in-country activities.
She also reported that at the June meeting in Beirut with Syria’s representatives, the Technical Secretariat emphasized its priority of the resumption of rounds of consultations, which would include all experts designated by the Secretariat. The Technical Secretariat is awaiting this decision to proceed with planning for the next round of consultations, she said, stressing that Syria’s full cooperation is essential to close all outstanding issues.
Considering the identified gaps, inconsistencies and discrepancies that remain unresolved, the Technical Secretariat assesses that Syria’s declaration still cannot be considered accurate and complete in accordance with the Chemical Weapons Convention, she said, urging Council members to unite on the issue and to show leadership in demonstrating that impunity in the use of chemical weapons will not be tolerated.
In the ensuing debate, many Council members expressed frustration that 10 years after the adoption of Council resolution 2118 (2013) on the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons programme, that country’s declarations remain inaccurate and incomplete, while others underscored the urgency of holding the twenty-fifth round of consultations.
Syria, stressed Japan’s representative, “should comply fully and faithfully with this resolution, and this Council should not remain silent on its non-compliance”. Recalling the nine occasions that Syria was responsible for the use of chemical weapons, he reiterated a call for Council members to urge Syria’s Government to fully comply with its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and resolution 2118 (2013).
The representative of the United States said: “It has grown clear that the Assad regime believes it can continue to operate with impunity despite the objective and evidence-based record of its chemical weapons attacks.” For a second consecutive month, two permanent Council members have indicated that they “will not even participate in a discussion of an issue of this seriousness”. Nonetheless, the United States will continue to raise the issue in the Council, he said.
France’s representative said Damascus must stop obstructing the OPCW’s work and comply with its obligations if it wishes to regain its rights under the Chemical Weapons Convention — a view echoed by Switzerland’s delegate who called on Damascus to provide answers to the 20 points left unresolved in its initial declaration. Such answers are one of the conditions for Syria to regain its rights and privileges under the Chemical Weapons Convention, she added.
Adding to that, Syria’s representative pointed out the Council’s ongoing meetings on the file, despite the lack of developments, is “a clear waste of the Council’s time and resources”. Syria has fulfilled its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention. It is also ready to hold the twenty-fifth round of consultations in a manner that would help close all outstanding issues.
However, he voiced regret at the selectivity in the Technical Secretariat’s monthly reports. That body has allowed itself to become a tool of the American, French and British administrations, causing serious damage to the credibility and professionalism of the Organization, he stated.
https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15402.doc.htm
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