Iraq signs up to ban use of chemical weapons

Jakarta News.Net
Saturday 17th January, 2009

In n historic moment Iraq has signed on to the international treaty prohibiting the use of chemical weapons.

Iraq's signature was added this week to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (CWC), the first multilateral treaty to ban, with international verification, an entire category of weapons of mass destruction.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed Iraq's accession to the international treaty, which brings the total number of ratifications to 186 States Parties.

“The Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in his capacity as Depositary of the Convention congratulates the Republic of Iraq on its decision as it demonstrates its commitment to disarmament and non-proliferation,” a statement issued by Mr. Ban's spokesperson said.

“The Secretary-General firmly believes that reaching universality of the Chemical Weapons Convention will significantly promote international peace and security and urges the remaining States not party to to the treaty to take the necessary measures to accede to the Convention as early as possible.”

The United States which invaded Iraq in March 2003 on the pre-text the nation was hoarding and developing chemical, as well as nuclear and biological weapons, was also quick to welcome Iraq's move.

"This is an historic decision by the new Iraq government to join the international community in efforts to eliminate all chemical weapons and their production facilities," a State Department statement said. "The United States has supported Iraq in its preparation to join the CWC and will continue to assist Iraq with its implementation. We welcome Iraq into the OPCW and look forward to working with Iraq in moving closer to the complete elimination of chemical weapons programs throughout the world."

Nine countries are still to ratify the agreement. They are the Bahamas, Myanmar (Burma), the Dominican Republic, Israel, Angola, North Korea, Egypt, Somalia, and Syria.

Four of those nations, the Bahamas, Myanmar, the Dominican Republic, and Israel have signed the treaty but have failed to ratify it.

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