Top official warns ‘gaps, inconsistencies, discrepancies’ in Syria stance on chemical weapons

Anjali Sharma

GG News Bureau

UNITED NATIONS, 8th Nov. UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu on Monday briefed the members of the Security Council stated that “gaps, inconsistencies and discrepancies” identified in Syria’s declaration over its use of chemical weapons, in accordance with the Chemical Weapons Convention “cannot be considered accurate and complete”.

She updated members on the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons programme, as per Security Council resolution 2118 (2013), Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, stressed that “for many years now”, that continued unresolved inconsistencies meant Syria was out of compliance.

Ms. Nakamitsu said the Office for Disarmament Affairs has been in regular contact with Syrian officials for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons on related efforts by its Declaration Assessment Team of experts, to clarify outstanding issues.

She said that “Unfortunately, all efforts by the OPCW Technical Secretariat to organize the 25^th round of consultations between the DAT and the Syrian National Authority continues to be unsuccessful”.

Council members were informed, the OPCW Technical Secretariat has provided Syria with the list of pending declarations and other documents requested by the DAT since 2019, highlighting 20 unresolved issues.

Ms. Nakamitsu said “I have been advised that the OPCW Technical Secretariat has not yet received the requested information from the Syrian Arab Republic”.

“Full cooperation by the Syrian Arab Republic with the OPCW Technical Secretariat is essential to closing all outstanding issues.”

OPCW Technical Secretariat has assured Ms. Nakamitsu that it remains “fully committed” to ensure the “complete implementation” of all Syria’s declaration requirements.

It has upheld its pledge to assist Syria in fulfilling its obligations under the Convention, OPCW policies, and Security Council resolution 2118, she said.

Ms. Nakamitsu concluded “I take this opportunity to reiterate my support for the integrity, professionalism, impartiality, objectivity, and independence of the work of the OPCW.”