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UN to examine Syria chemical weapons attacks | UN to examine Syria chemical weapons attacks |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The UN has adopted a resolution aimed at identifying those behind chemical weapons attacks in Syria. | The UN has adopted a resolution aimed at identifying those behind chemical weapons attacks in Syria. |
UN chief Ban Ki-moon and the head of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) will be asked to prepare a plan for an inquiry. | UN chief Ban Ki-moon and the head of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) will be asked to prepare a plan for an inquiry. |
The vote came after the US and Russia agreed on the final text of the resolution. | The vote came after the US and Russia agreed on the final text of the resolution. |
A mission to eliminate Syria's chemical arsenal was set up after a deadly attack outside Damascus in August 2013. | A mission to eliminate Syria's chemical arsenal was set up after a deadly attack outside Damascus in August 2013. |
Late last year, the OPCW declared it had removed or destroyed all 1,180 tonnes of declared toxic agents and precursor chemicals. | Late last year, the OPCW declared it had removed or destroyed all 1,180 tonnes of declared toxic agents and precursor chemicals. |
'Powerful message' | 'Powerful message' |
After Friday's vote, the US ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, said it was a clear message that the perpetrators would not go unpunished. | After Friday's vote, the US ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, said it was a clear message that the perpetrators would not go unpunished. |
"Today's resolution has been adopted with the council's unanimous support," she said. | "Today's resolution has been adopted with the council's unanimous support," she said. |
"This sends a clear and powerful message to all those involved in chemical weapons attacks in Syria. The joint investigative mechanism will identify you if you gas people. | "This sends a clear and powerful message to all those involved in chemical weapons attacks in Syria. The joint investigative mechanism will identify you if you gas people. |
"It bears repeating as well that we need to bring the same unity that we have shown today to urgently find a political solution to the Syrian crisis." | "It bears repeating as well that we need to bring the same unity that we have shown today to urgently find a political solution to the Syrian crisis." |
Analysis: Nick Bryant, UN Correspondent | Analysis: Nick Bryant, UN Correspondent |
Up until now, international experts have carried out only fact-finding missions in Syria to determine whether chemical weapons attacks have occurred. Their reports have not explicitly pointed a finger of blame at those believed to be responsible - although details, like the use of chlorine-filled barrel bombs, are in themselves incriminating, because only the forces of Bashar-al-Assad have them in their arsenal. | Up until now, international experts have carried out only fact-finding missions in Syria to determine whether chemical weapons attacks have occurred. Their reports have not explicitly pointed a finger of blame at those believed to be responsible - although details, like the use of chlorine-filled barrel bombs, are in themselves incriminating, because only the forces of Bashar-al-Assad have them in their arsenal. |
The significance of this Security Council resolution is that it will create a new investigative body with a mandate to attribute blame. The United States, which has spent months negotiating this resolution with Russia, believes it will end a culture of impunity regarding the use of chemical weapons and accumulate evidence that could be used in future prosecutions. | |
The Americans concede, however, that those prosecutions are not imminent, and could be years or more than a decade away. Although the resolution paves the way for the creation of an attribution mechanism it will not trigger automatic punishment - a weakness seized upon by human rights groups. | The Americans concede, however, that those prosecutions are not imminent, and could be years or more than a decade away. Although the resolution paves the way for the creation of an attribution mechanism it will not trigger automatic punishment - a weakness seized upon by human rights groups. |
The challenge of assessing Syria's chemical weapons | The challenge of assessing Syria's chemical weapons |
Friday's resolution is a rare display of unanimity from the UN on Syria, with all 15 members voting in favour. | Friday's resolution is a rare display of unanimity from the UN on Syria, with all 15 members voting in favour. |
The resolution follows months of negotiations between the US, which has long accused the Assad regime of using chemical weapons, and Russia, which has defended its Syrian ally. | The resolution follows months of negotiations between the US, which has long accused the Assad regime of using chemical weapons, and Russia, which has defended its Syrian ally. |
Syria's ambassador to the UN Bashar Jaafari denied his government was behind the attacks, claiming the Islamic State (IS) group and the al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front were to blame. | Syria's ambassador to the UN Bashar Jaafari denied his government was behind the attacks, claiming the Islamic State (IS) group and the al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front were to blame. |
Under the terms of the agreement, a team of expert inspectors will be given full access where possible to all locations in Syria and be allowed to collect materials and interview witnesses. | Under the terms of the agreement, a team of expert inspectors will be given full access where possible to all locations in Syria and be allowed to collect materials and interview witnesses. |
Vitaly Churkin, the UN's Russian representative, said he hoped that the joint investigative body would work "impartially, objectively and professionally". | Vitaly Churkin, the UN's Russian representative, said he hoped that the joint investigative body would work "impartially, objectively and professionally". |
The resolution calls for Mr Ban and the OPCW to recommend a team of investigators within 20 days. | The resolution calls for Mr Ban and the OPCW to recommend a team of investigators within 20 days. |