As Tensions Flare, OPCW Indicates Positive Developments

By Jonathan Rozen Reprint | | Print |

UNITED NATIONS, Mar 5 2014 (IPS) - Tensions over the Ukraine crisis dampened the positive brief on the removal of Syria’s chemical weapons, made to the UN Security Council by Sigrid Kaag, the Special Coordinator of the Joint Mission of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

“These last few days there has been an acceleration and intensification of effort by the Syrian Arab Republic. A revised timeline has been submitted by the authorities, looking at implementation between the middle and end of April, in time, should all go well, to meet the overall deadline of June 30, 2014,” Kaag told reporters Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Martin Nesirky, Spokesperson for the U.N. Secretary-General, verified that two consignments of chemicals had left the Syrian port of Latakia, including a quantity of mustard gas — a priority 1 chemical. Following the additional consignment expected to leave later this week, a total of six chemical weapons shipments will have left the Syrian Arab Republic.

“If we combine removal and destruction, the mission has concluded now that about one-third of Syria’s chemical weapons material has been removed or destroyed,” stated Kaag. “In the next few days we expect to reach 40 to 41 percent.”

International cooperation has been essential to the success of the removal effort, especially between the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United States, UK, China, Russia and France.

Regarding the impact of the Ukraine crisis on US-Russian cooperation, Kaag stated, “the unity of purpose and voice of the Security Council was once more very clear [in their support for the work of the OPCW]…and I think we are very fortunate to have this.”

Briefing reporters in Brussels, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), stated that in light of Russia’s continued violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Russia would not be involved in the maritime escort for the US ship, Cape Ray, transporting Syrian chemical weapon materials. Rasmussen also affirmed that this would not affect the removal of the materials.

Kaag said: “We look forward to see continued progress, but it remains hard work, a lot of dedication, and of course continued commitment to implementation.”

The deadline for the completion of the process has been set as June 30, 2014, but there have been a number of proposed schedules to reach this goal.

“A group of member states initially had proposed a 35 day timeline. The Syrian authorities themselves looked at a larger framework. Ultimately there has been an acceptance of about a 60 day plan, with a further intention to increase the ambition level further, to look at further reductions against the timeline,” Kaag explained.

Last September, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2118, “requiring the expeditious and verifiable destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons.”

This resolution came in response to a chemical weapons attack near the Syrian capital of Damascus last August. which killed hundreds of people. Both sides of the Syrian conflict have indicated their opponent as the perpetrator. Kaag did not comment on questions regarding responsibility for the attack.