Nebenzia: OPCW becomes a tool in the geopolitical game

11 September 2020

 

Moscow is concerned that the OPCW is becoming a tool in the geopolitical game, Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzia said during a Security Council meeting.


He recalled a number of cases when the West accused the Syrian authorities of using chemical weapons, although the incidents were staged. In particular, Nebenzia mentioned incidents in Khan Sheikhoun, Douma.

 

 

"Evidence of the use of chemical weapons by non - state structures on Syrian territory, including terrorist groups, was deliberately ignored," Nebenzia said.


According to him, since 2013, the SAR has sent more than 200 letters to the UN Secretariat about terrorist activities aimed at preparing and committing acts of chemical terrorism. "No follow-up action has been taken on this information," the Ambassador said.

 

 

"Russia has repeatedly called on the OPCW technical secretariat to make changes to its erroneous methodology of work. We were interested in having an impartial and fully responsible investigative body at our disposal, but not a political tool to support someone's geopolitical adventures," Nebenzia said.


"As a founding member of the OPCW, it is with deep concern that we see the OPCW, once a respected organization, becoming a tool in the geopolitical game. We call on the technical secretariat to change its working methods, abandon unfair actions and double standards, and properly fulfill its mandate, " the Russian Ambassador said.

 

 

At the same time, he stressed that Damascus has neither the capabilities, nor the intention, nor any reason to use chemical weapons.


Russia and the Syrian government have repeatedly accused the OPCW of biased investigations into incidents in the Arab Republic and questioned the conclusions reached by the OPCW technical secretariat. The Syrian authorities stated that they never used chemical weapons against civilians and terrorists, and the entire chemical arsenal of the country was removed from Syria under the control of the OPCW.

 

GSV "Russia - Islamic World"

Photo: Zuma \ TASS

Based on materials from RIA Novosti