China: Investigations into the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria should respect the facts

China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Geng Shuang has affirmed that the investigations into the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria should “respect the facts.”

 

“The OPCW’s probe into the alleged use of chemical weapons should be carried out strictly within the framework of the Chemical Weapons Convention and should adhere to the principles of independence, impartiality, objectivity and respect for facts and science,” Xinhua news agency quoted Geng as saying during a UN Security Council session  via video yesterday.

 

“We hope that Security Council members will also reach consensus on these principles as they are the basis for in-depth discussions and mutual trust,” he added.

 

He noted that “during the Security Council’s deliberations in the past, some council members have shown little interest in the technical details of the alleged use of chemical weapons, the integrity or conclusiveness of the chain of evidence in the investigation reports. Instead, they were keen to discuss the means and measures of attribution, proceeding from the presumption of guilt, pretty impatient as it seems.”

 

Discussions in the Security Council must be based on scientific analysis, substantiated by facts, must not be rushed in the absence of hard evidence, he said.

 

Geng noted that Syria has repeatedly expressed its willingness to cooperate with the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW.

 

He reiterated China’s firm opposition to the use of chemical weapons, stressing that OPCW’s monthly reports should contain new information and reflect the concerns expressed and questions raised by some council members.

 

Basma Qaddour