Forum on chemical weapons destruction concludes in Geneva: Declares Weapons Demilitarization an Important Tool Against Terrorism And Emphasizes Need for Interna

Geneva 1.7.2003 (ots/PROTEXT) - Over 100 representatives offourteen countries, non-governmental and internationalorganizations concluded a day and a half of frank and opendiscussions in Geneva on Friday, June 27, concerning thedestruction of chemical weapons in Russia. Sponsored by theSwiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and Green Cross, andhosted by the United Nations Mission at the Palais des Nations,the Forum addressed the challenges of destroying some 40,000 tonsof chemical weapons stored at seven stockpile sites in Russia andprovided a platform for exchanges between Russia and nationsproviding assistance.

Director General Rogelio Pfirter of the Organization forProhibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague, whichimplements international oversight and verification of chemicalweapons destruction, exhorted all participants to accelerate andexpand their efforts to help Russia with its destruction plansand to work towards the current 2007 deadline for globalabolition of chemical weapons. The complete elimination for thefirst time of a whole class of weapons of mass destruction"unites us," stated Pfirter, and is "an important tool againstproliferation and international terrorism."

Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Swiss Federal Department ofForeign Affairs, emphasized the importance of a strong financialsupport and of coordinated actions between Russia, the U.S, otherG-8 and smaller nations as a key factor for a timely andsuccessful Russian chemical weapons destruction program. She alsounderlined the active and ongoing support of Switzerland forRussian weapons demilitarization and the recent appropriation of17 million Swiss francs to help Russia's multi-billion-dollareffort. Toni Frisch of the Swiss Agency for Development andCooperation and Jean-Jacques De Dardel, head of the Center forInternational Security Policy, emphasized amongst other theimportance of public involvement, facilitation by Green Cross asa neutral NGO, and community development in implementing weaponsdestruction in the Former Soviet Union.

The Forum took place at a moment when destruction efforts inthe five chemical weapons possessor nations are massivelyaccelerating with a doubling of destruction capacities over thenext two years. For supporting the destruction of the Russianchemical weapons arsenal, the world's largest, the U.S. haspledged some $900 million; and the G-8 last year in Kananaskis(Canada) pledged $20 billion over ten years for nuclear,chemical, and biological weapons destruction in Russia, andreiterated this plan at the Evian summit earlier this month.Also Russia commits this year five billion rubles ($161 million)for chemical weapons destruction. The need for true internationalpartnership for the Russian destruction program was emphasized.The participants underlined the importance of such informalmeeting venues.

Green Cross, President of the Board Mikhail Gorbachevwelcomed the Forum by pointing out the "historic importance" ofabolishing Cold War legacies -- nuclear, chemical, andbiological weapons stockpiles -- and the central nature of thesesteps to international security and peace.

ots Originaltext: Green Cross Switzerland Internet:http://www.presseportal.de

Contact: Dr. Paul Walker Legacy Program at Global Green USATel. 001/617'201'05'65 (English and German)

Dr. Stephan Robinson Director of the internationaldisarmament programme at Green Cross Switzerland Tel.+41/78/892'48'84 (English, French and German)

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