Progress continues on text for chemical weapons ban.

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Progress continues on text for chemical weapons ban

Advanced stage reached

"Substantive and constructive results" were reported by the Ad Hoc Committee on Chemical Weapons of the Conference on Disarmament. The body continued work in January on a convention banning development, production and stockpiling of chemical weapons and calling for their destruction. Chairman Rolf Ekeus of Sweden said the updated draft, the so-called "rolling text", was now in an "advanced stage". The convention will deal with such issues as declarations of chemical weapons, international systematic monitoring of storage facilities, methods and organization of the destruction procedures and national implementation and international verification measures.

By specific draft provisions, still subject to change, States Parties would agree to:

. The creation of an Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, to ensure implementation of the convention, including verification and compliance provisions, and to provide a forum for consultation and co-operation among States Parties. The Consultative Committee would be the principal organ of the Organization. An International Inspectorate would carry out activities relating to verification.

. Submit to the Consultative Committee declarations on the existence of chemical weapons or production facilities under its jurisdiction or control anywhere; the presence on its territory of any such weapons or facilities under the jurisdiction or control of others, including a State not Party to the convention; and the transfer or receipt of chemical weapons or production equipment.

. Provide access after declarations are submitted, to its chemical weapons and production facilities for systematic international verification of the declarations through on-site inspection.

. Specify the location and inventories of any chemical weapons production facilities under its jurisdiction or control.

. Provide general plans for destruction of its chemical weapons and chemical weapons production facilities, not later than six months before each destruction period begins.

. Destroy all chemical weapons and production facilities beginning not later than 12 months and finishing not later than 10 years after the convention enters into force for it, and certify completion of the destruction process.

Other substantive provisions of the convention would deal with its scope; definitions and criteria; production facilities; activities not prohibited by...