Statement by Fergus Eckersley, UK Political Coordinator at the
UN, at the Security Council briefing on Syrian chemical weapons.
"Thank you President, and thank you to the High Representative
for the very helpful briefing.
President, Syria has had nine years to come into compliance with
the Chemical Weapons Convention. But since its accession, it has
repeatedly and categorically failed to provide the OPCW with a
complete account of its chemical weapons programme. And as we
know, the Syrian regime has been independently found responsible
for at least 8 chemical weapons attacks by UN and OPCW
independent investigations - attacks on its own people.
Syria has failed to assure the OPCW, or this Council, that it is
today abiding by its commitments under resolution 2118 and as a
state party to the Chemical Weapons Convention
There is understandable frustration in the Council about the lack
of progress, but we must see this for what it is. The problem
here is not how many meetings this Council has. The problem is
the behaviour of the Syrian regime in breach of core
international laws, including resolutions of this Council. And
the problem is systematic disinformation from Syria and Russia in
an effort to obscure this behaviour and to avoid accountability.
Including deeply irresponsible attempts to attack the OPCW.
We heard from the High Representative today the risks of the
erosion of the taboo against using chemical weapons. The OPCW is
responsible for preventing the spread of chemical weapons. It is
an expert and highly professional organisation, and it is in all
of our interests to prevent it from being degraded by
disinformation.
President, until Syria gives proper assurances to the
international community, we must assume that Syria continues to
hold chemical weapons. And given its track record, we must assume
that the regime remains willing to use them.
So, it is up to members of this Council to maintain the pressure
to resolve this ongoing threat to international peace and
security.
Thank you."
