This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-44634434
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
OPCW chemical watchdog gains power to assign blame | OPCW chemical watchdog gains power to assign blame |
(35 minutes later) | |
The world's foremost chemical weapons watchdog has granted itself new powers to assign blame for attacks, despite protests by Russia. | The world's foremost chemical weapons watchdog has granted itself new powers to assign blame for attacks, despite protests by Russia. |
Until now, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) could only say whether chemical weapons were used - but not who had used them. | |
Britain successfully argued that new powers were needed to deal with repeated chemical attacks in Syria. | Britain successfully argued that new powers were needed to deal with repeated chemical attacks in Syria. |
Russia said the move went "beyond the mandate" of the watchdog. | Russia said the move went "beyond the mandate" of the watchdog. |
It also said the organisation was facing an "artificially created crisis". | It also said the organisation was facing an "artificially created crisis". |
The members of the OPCW, however, voted in large numbers for the measure, winning the vote by 82 to 24 - exceeding the two-thirds majority needed. | The members of the OPCW, however, voted in large numbers for the measure, winning the vote by 82 to 24 - exceeding the two-thirds majority needed. |
Britain proposed the measure, and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said it would "strengthen the ban on chemical weapons and prevent impunity for their use". | Britain proposed the measure, and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said it would "strengthen the ban on chemical weapons and prevent impunity for their use". |
Analysis: Previous rules were nonsense | |
Jonathan Marcus, defence and diplomatic correspondent | |
This is an important step forward for arms control. It strengthens the unravelling consensus against the use of chemical weapons. It marks a victory for the rules-based international order, which itself is under increasing strain given the rise of populists and nationalism in many countries. But inevitably it will prove to be a new source of tension between Russia and the West. | |
Until now, chemical weapons inspectors working under the auspices of the OPCW were in a curious position. They could send teams to an alleged chemical weapons attack. They could take samples and draw their conclusions. They could determine whether indeed a chemical weapons incident had occurred. But whatever evidence they turned up, they could not point the finger at a particular country or non-state actor as the perpetrator. | |
That was, of course, a nonsense. It is like having a detective investigate a killing, only to conclude that yes indeed, murder most foul has been committed, but then being unable to identify the likely culprit. | |
Repeated allegations of chemical weapon use by Syria's government against rebels and civilians brought the issue into the international spotlight in recent months. | |
In April, the United States, UK, and France jointly bombed three Syrian government sites in response to the alleged chemical attacks. | In April, the United States, UK, and France jointly bombed three Syrian government sites in response to the alleged chemical attacks. |
The Syrian government, which is backed militarily by Russia, has repeatedly denied ever using chemical weapons. | |
International relations also frayed after the poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter on British soil. | International relations also frayed after the poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter on British soil. |
UK investigators concluded that a Russian-developed military-grade nerve agent called Novichock was used in the attack in the city of Salisbury. | UK investigators concluded that a Russian-developed military-grade nerve agent called Novichock was used in the attack in the city of Salisbury. |
British authorities accused Russia of direct involvement; Russia is also the Syrian government's main ally. | British authorities accused Russia of direct involvement; Russia is also the Syrian government's main ally. |
Russian Industry Minister Georgy Kalamonov told Reuters news agency the OPCW was like a sinking ship. | |
"A lot of the countries that voted against the measure are starting to think about how the organisation will exist and function in the future," he said. | "A lot of the countries that voted against the measure are starting to think about how the organisation will exist and function in the future," he said. |