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New UN proposal aims at extremists use of chemical weapons New UN proposal aims at extremists use of chemical weapons
(about 3 hours later)
UNITED NATIONS — Russia and China have introduced a draft U.N. resolution aimed at preventing “terrorists” from preparing or using chemical weapons in Syria. UNITED NATIONS — Russia and China introduced a draft U.N. resolution Wednesday aimed at preventing extremist groups like the Islamic State and the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front from developing or using chemical weapons in Syria.
Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told reporters Wednesday that there have recently been numerous reports “of terrorist groups in Syria and neighboring Iraq using chemical weapons.” Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said the proposed Security Council resolution will fill the “missing link” in current resolutions and could serve as a deterrent because “if terrorists plan to use chemical weapons, in our experience, sometimes they try to blame the Syrian government.”
He said the proposed resolution will fill the “missing link” in current resolutions dealing with Syrian chemical weapons. “Our hope is that if they know that we are monitoring their activities, the incentive to use chemical weapons in the hope that the responsibility for that can be shifted elsewhere ... will diminish,” Churkin said.
Churkin said it will require countries — especially Syria’s neighbors — to immediately report any actions by extremist groups to acquire, develop or transfer chemical weapons to the Security Council and the international body charged with establishing who is responsible for chemical attacks in Syria. Churkin said there have been numerous reports recently “of terrorist groups in Syria and neighboring Iraq using chemical weapons.”
He called the proposed resolution a limited but necessary step that may serve as a deterrent. He cited a report just a few days ago from Deir el-Zour, where government-held areas are blockaded by Islamic State militants, and a recent report from Aleppo “where terrorists used chemical weapons and actually admitted to their use.” There are also numerous reports that extremists may be preparing chemical weapons, he said.
Churkin said suspicions of possible chemical weapons use by Syria are already under investigation by the chemical weapons watchdog and international weapons inspectors, but there has been no reporting on alleged used of these deadly weapons by “terrorist” groups, he said.
The draft resolution would require countries — especially Syria’s neighbors Turkey and Iraq — to immediately report any actions by extremist groups to transfer, develop or acquire chemical weapons to the Security Council and to a recently established international body comprising the U.N. and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. It is called the Joint Investigative Mechanism or JIM and is charged with establishing who is responsible for chemical attacks in Syria, he said.
It would also require the JIM to monitor any alleged activities and report monthly to the Security Council, he said.
While there is certainly a threat of “terrorist” groups using chemical weapons in Europe, the United States or elsewhere, Churkin stressed that “the greatest threat is ISIL in Syria and Iraq where they have acquired very serious territorial footholds.”
He cited reports of chemical weapon precursors being delivered to extremists from Turkey. Earlier this month, Russia said $1.9 million worth of explosives and industrial chemicals were smuggled across Turkey’s border to extremist groups.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.