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Statement by Ambassador Zelmys Dominguez Cortina on behalf of the Member States  of the Non-aligned Movement that are states parties to the chemical weapons convention and China, at the fifteenth session of the Conference of the States Parties, The Hague, 29th November 2010

 

Mr Chairperson, 

1.  On behalf of the Members States of the Non-Aligned Movement that are States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention, and China (the NAM CWC States Parties and China) I would like to welcome you, Ambassador of Guatemala,  Roberto Palomo Silva, a representative of a State Member of the NAM, as Chairman of this Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention.  We are confident that your knowledge, skills, and experience will enable you to steer our work to a successful conclusion and I assure you of the full support of the NAM CWC States Parties and China.

2. I also take this opportunity to thank the outgoing Chairperson, Ambassador                                       Vaidotas Verba, Ambassador of Lithuania, for his dedicated work as Chair of the Fourteenth Conference of the States Parties.  I also wish to congratulate the newly elected Bureau members of this Fifteenth Session of the Conference.

3.  We would like to welcome Ambassador Ahmet Uzümcü for the first time at the Conference of the States Parties and reaffirm to him our fullest support in the fulfilment of his new task as Director-General. We would also like to thank him for the presentation of his opening statement.

4. The NAM CWC States Parties and China, committed to the full and non-discriminatory implementation of the Convention, wish to outline their position on important issues under consideration at this session of the Conference of The States Parties. The NAM CWC States Parties and China welcome the important role played by NAM Member States in their role as facilitators, including Algeria (Ambassador Nassima Baghli as facilitator of Captive Use of Schedule 1 Chemical), China (Mr. Chen Kai as facilitator on Article XI), Chile (Alternate Representative Mr. Rodrigo Waghorn as co-facilitator for draft Programme and Budget 2011), Iran (Ambassador Kazem Gharib Abadi as Vice-Chairman on Administrative and Financial Issues), Lebanon ( Mr. Rami Adwan as facilitator on Article VII), Malaysia ( Ambassador Dr. Fauziah Mohammad Taib as co-facilitator on Site Selection Methodology), Pakistan(Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry as facilitator on Composition of Secretariat)  and South Africa (Ambassador Peter Goosen as Vice-Chairman on the Industry cluster issues and Marthinus Van Schalkwyk  as facilitator of Enhancement of OCPF declarations).

 Mr Chairperson,

  1. The existence of weapons of mass destruction continues to pose a threat to international peace and security. Consequently, the NAM CWC States Parties and China reiterate their long-standing principled position regarding the achievement of general and complete disarmament, under strict and effective international control, including the prohibition and elimination of all weapons of mass destruction in line with the first preambular paragraph of the Convention.
  1. We stress that the total destruction of chemical weapons is one of the fundamental pillars of the Convention.  In this regard, completion of destruction of all chemical weapons, including abandoned chemical weapons, within the final extended deadline of 29 April 2012, as set forth in the Convention, constitutes an integral part of the obligations by the chemical weapons possessor States and by abandoning States Parties.
  1. Since more than 37% of chemical weapons stockpiles are yet to be destroyed and the destruction of a significant number of abandoned chemical weapons is yet to start, the NAM CWC States Parties and China reiterate their serious concern about the pace of destruction of chemical weapons, as well as the destruction of abandoned chemical weapons, in light of the fast-approaching final extended deadline of 29 April 2012.  We therefore reaffirm that verification of the destruction of the remaining chemical weapons stockpiles shall continue to be the top priority of the Technical Secretariat.
  1. In this regard, the NAM CWC States Parties and China continue to be actively involved in the ongoing informal consultations conducted by the Council Chairperson on how and when to initiate discussions by the Council on issues related to meeting the final extended deadline for the destruction of chemical weapons and we look forward to making tangible progress during these deliberations in line with this mandate. We consider it important to emphasize that the outcome of these consultations will uphold and not undermine the integrity and credibility of the Convention.
  1. A further source of grave concern is that, according to the available reports, the United States of America and the Russian Federation, may not be in a position to meet the final extended deadline for the destruction of their chemical weapons stockpiles, which endangers the credibility and the integrity of the Chemical Weapons Convention. We, therefore, urge all possessor States Parties to take every necessary measure to ensure compliance with the final extended deadline for the destruction of all their chemical weapons stockpiles.
  1. We are of the firm belief that this Conference, in line with the decision taken at its Eleventh Session, and as underlined by the Second Review Conference, shall once again emphasize the obligations of possessor States Parties to complete the destruction of their chemical weapons stockpiles within the final extended deadline of 29 April 2012.
  1. The NAM CWC States Parties and China reaffirm the significance of the information that the Director General submits to each regular Session of the Executive Council, in consultation with the relevant possessor States Parties, on the progress achieved through the measures that have been undertaken to accelerate the destruction of the remaining stockpiles. This will allow States Parties to better monitor and assess the situation in order to make appropriate suggestions in this regard.
  1. While welcoming the initial steps towards starting operations to destroy chemical weapons abandoned by Japan in China, the NAM CWC States Parties and China note with concern that a large quantity of abandoned chemical weapons, remain to be destroyed, and call upon the relevant abandoning state party to make the fullest possible effort to complete destruction by the final extended deadline of 29 April 2012. 

 

Mr Chairperson, 

  1. The NAM CWC States Parties and China firmly believe that the effective contribution of the Convention to international and regional peace and security can be enhanced by full universality of the Convention.
  1. We commend the Technical Secretariat and the States Parties for their efforts to promote the universality of the Convention, which is fundamental to the realization of its object and purpose.  We urge all States that have still not joined the Convention to do so without further delay, particularly those whose non-adherence to the Convention has given rise to serious concern.  In this regard, we request the Technical Secretariat and States Parties in a position to do so, to redouble their efforts with a view to achieving full universality at the earliest possible date.

Mr. Chairperson,

  1. The NAM CWC States Parties and China recall the importance of the provisions of Article XI of the Convention, underlined by the Second Review Conference, and emphasize that the full, effective, and non-discriminatory implementation of this article is essential for the realization of the object and purpose of the Convention.  States Parties are obliged to implement the Convention in a manner that avoids hampering the economic or technological development of States Parties, as well as international cooperation in the field of chemical activities for purposes not prohibited under the Convention.
  1. We strongly believe that it is imperative to ensure the removal of and to avoid the imposition of any restrictions that are contrary to the letter and spirit of the Convention.  In this context, we call upon the developed countries to fulfill their commitment to transfer technology, material, and equipment for peaceful purposes in the chemical field and to remove any discriminatory restrictions which affect the Convention’s long-term viability and have an adverse impact on the trust existing among States Parties.  We emphasize that the objectives of the Convention can be best achieved through multilaterally negotiated, universal, comprehensive, and non-discriminatory agreements by all States Parties.
  1. Guided by the experience gained by the Organization in the implementation of other provisions of the Convention through action plans, the NAM CWC States Parties and China reaffirm their full support for the ongoing informal consultations on the full implementation of Article XI.   We look forward to the outcome of the recent Workshop on Article XI contributing to more substantive deliberations in order to expeditiously identify and develop concrete measures within an agreed framework to ensure the full, effective and non-discriminatory implementation of Article XI. 

Mr Chairperson,   

  1. The NAM CWC States Parties and China reaffirm that the implementation of Article X of the Convention on assistance and protection against chemical weapons makes a significant contribution to countering the threats of the use of chemical weapons.  We stress the importance of achieving and maintaining a high level of readiness of the OPCW to provide timely, adequate, and effective assistance and protection to its States Parties in situations of use or threat of use of chemical weapons against them. In this regard we would like to commend the host country Tunisia, Technical Secretariat, and the States Parties involved in the successful conduct of the exercise on the delivery of assistance, ASSISTEX 3 in Tunis this October.
  1.   NAM CWC States Parties and China welcome the Executive Council’s decision to commemorate annually the victims of the Chemical Weapons attacks in Sardasht in the Islamic Republic of Iran and Hallabja in the Republic of Iraq. While paying due respect to all chemical weapons victims and their families, the NAM CWC States Parties and China reiterate their firm conviction that international support for providing special care and assistance to all victims suffering the effects of exposure to chemical weapons is an urgent humanitarian need and that the States Parties to the Convention, as well as the OPCW, should pay urgent attention to meeting such needs.  In this regard, we look forward to an early start of discussions on the proposal for the establishment of an international support network for the victims of chemical weapons.
  1.   The NAM CWC States Parties and China acknowledge the contribution of the OPCW to global anti-terrorism efforts through full, effective and non-discriminatory implementation of the Convention, although the OPCW is not an anti-terrorism Organization. The NAM CWC States Parties and China have taken note of the work that has taken place under the Open Ended Working Group on Terrorism related to Universality, Article X and Article VII and urges the facilitator of the Working Group to also address other Articles such as IV and V. The work of the Open Ended Working Group on Terrorism should be seen in this perspective and should avoid a selective approach only to some Articles. We need to be mindful that the obligation to implement the Convention has its origin in the Convention itself and not in any extraneous resolution or law. We recall that the Second Review Conference set clear parameters for OPCW’s role in global anti-terrorism efforts by reaffirming the independent and autonomous nature of the OPCW.   The NAM CWC States Parties and China highlight the significance of international cooperation in the context of the Convention, in preventing terrorists from acquiring and/or using chemical weapons.

Mr. Chairperson,

 

  1.    The verification regime of the OPCW is an important element in the implementation of the relevant provisions of the Convention.  The NAM CWC States Parties and China are committed to participating in the ongoing consultations regarding the unresolved issues related to industry verification.
  1.   We stress the relevant paragraphs of the report of the Second Review Conference (RC-2/4) with regard to declaration and inspection of OCPF sites.  The NAM CWC States Parties and China reiterate the desirability of directing inspections towards facilities of greater relevance to the object and purpose of the Convention, and that any proposals to be considered regarding this subject shall exclude the possibility of additional declaration obligations and shall correspond strictly with Part IX of the Verification Annex of the Convention, which is based on the concept of hierarchy of risk. 
  1.   Furthermore, as it was reiterated in the report of the Second Review Conference (paragraph 9.66), any changes in the frequency of OCPF inspections, if required, shall take into account any refinements to the OCPF inspection regime or improvements in site-selection methodology, and should be based on a thorough discussion and a decision of the policy-making organs.  The NAM CWC States Parties and China recall decisions C-13/DEC.5 and C-14/DEC.8, and stress that the number of Article VI inspections should be determined within the relevant Industry Cluster consultations and be agreed by the States Parties as a matter of policy, taking into account budgetary and other relevant considerations.
  1.   We recall that the modified methodology for the selection of other chemical production facilities for inspection, currently being implemented by the Technical Secretariat is considered by the NAM CWC States Parties and China as an interim measure. The Site Selection Methodology should be in accordance with the provisions of the Convention, and needs to be thoroughly discussed and adopted by consensus. In this regard, we would like to welcome the continuation of the facilitation to resolve this important issue and wish to assure the co-facilitators of our full support for their efforts.
  1.   In the context of the implementation of Article VII, we encourage all States Parties and the Technical Secretariat to continue to provide meaningful assistance and technical support to States Parties, at their request, and to devise appropriate solutions to overcome the practical difficulties and resource constraints encountered by individual States Parties in carrying out their national implementation measures. 

Mr. Chairperson,

  1.   Finally, the NAM CWC States Parties and China have noted the initiative of the Director-General to set up an Experts Panel on the question of future developments in the OPCW under the Convention.  NAM CWC States Parties and China look forward to obtaining greater clarity on the Director-General’s proposal in this regard. We encourage the Director-General to ensure an equitable geographical distribution of the Panel. The outcome of the Panel’s work could be a useful contribution to the ongoing discussions by the States Parties on the future development of the Organization, keeping in mind the full implementation of Article 1 of the Convention. 
  1.    The NAM CWC States Parties and China wish to renew the assurances of their fullest cooperation to you and to all Member States in ensuring the success of this Conference.  We would like to request that this statement be issued as an official document of the Fifteenth Session of the Conference of the States Parties.

I thank you.

(Cubminrex – Embacuba Países Bajos)

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