Security Council should deal with the (chemical file) in Syria objectively, says Dandi

New York, (ST) –  The Deputy Permanent Representative of Syria at the UN, al-Hakam Dandi stressed the need for the Security Council to reconsider its discussion of the “chemical file” in Syria by dealing with developments related to it objectively and preserving its technical nature away from any politicization. He added that Syria joined voluntarily the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, fulfilled its obligations and destroyed all of its stockpiles and production facilities in record time. Dandi said during a session of the Security Council today on the “chemical file” in Syria: We meet today as in previous sessions without any developments that require the Council to meet to discuss them, but some Western countries still insist on disregarding the Council’s time and resources at the expense of other issues that deserve discussion related to maintaining international peace and security, and upholding the goals and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

Dandi stressed Syria’s rejection of the false accusations of Western countries against it, which are based on unprofessional and non-objective reports that came as a result of political pressure exerted on the technical secretariat of the Ban Organization and its various teams. He added that Syria also renews its demand to correct the organization’s course of action by depoliticization that has dominated its work and by adhering to the principles of professionalism and impartiality.

Dandi reiterated Syria’s categorical condemnation of the use of chemical weapons by anyone, at any time.

Deputy Permanent Representative of Syria at the UN said that Syria considers the creation of the investigation and identification team illegal, since the convention does not include any text that allows the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapon(OPCW) technical secretariat to carry out investigations to determine responsibility for the use of chemical weapons.

Deputy Permanent Representative of Syria at the UNindicated that the Security Council recently renewed its commitment to Resolution No. 1540 of 2004 aimed at preventing non-state groups from acquiring weapons of mass destruction, their production equipment, and their means of delivery, including chemical weapons, and itis a commitment strongly supported by Syria. He added that Syria has been providing the Resolution Committee and the United Nations General Secretariat with information about the possession and use of toxic chemicals by terrorist organizations or the fabrication of chemical accidents, but unfortunately this information is not dealt with as required.

Dandi expressed Syria’s aspiration to implement all aspects of this resolution more effectively and in accordance with its mandate and in full cooperation with Member States.

Raghda Sawas