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Chemical Weapon Stockpiles Greatly Reduced, Treaty Group Reports Chemical Weapon Stockpiles Greatly Reduced, Treaty Group Reports
(about 4 hours later)
In the nearly two decades since the global treaty prohibiting chemical weapons first took effect, 90 percent of stockpiles declared by its members have been eradicated, the organization responsible for monitoring compliance said Thursday.In the nearly two decades since the global treaty prohibiting chemical weapons first took effect, 90 percent of stockpiles declared by its members have been eradicated, the organization responsible for monitoring compliance said Thursday.
In a statement posted on its website, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, based in The Hague, called the achievement “a major milestone that shows we are well on the way to ridding the world of chemical weapons.”In a statement posted on its website, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, based in The Hague, called the achievement “a major milestone that shows we are well on the way to ridding the world of chemical weapons.”
The monitoring organization was created as part of the negotiations that led to the Chemical Weapons Convention, which took effect on April 29, 1997. Its work has received increased attention over the past few years largely because of the use of chemical munitions in the war in Syria.The monitoring organization was created as part of the negotiations that led to the Chemical Weapons Convention, which took effect on April 29, 1997. Its work has received increased attention over the past few years largely because of the use of chemical munitions in the war in Syria.
Syria’s government agreed in 2013 to renounce chemical weapons, join the treaty and destroy its stockpile, and the monitoring organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize that year for its disarmament work.Syria’s government agreed in 2013 to renounce chemical weapons, join the treaty and destroy its stockpile, and the monitoring organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize that year for its disarmament work.
The majority of chemical weapons caches date back to the Cold War, and are held by the United States and Russia. In its statement, the monitoring organization said the eradication of those stockpiles is “well underway.” The Russian supply is scheduled to be eliminated completely before 2020, and the American supply before 2023. The majority of chemical weapons caches date from the Cold War, and are held by the United States and Russia. In its statement, the monitoring organization said the eradication of those stockpiles was “well underway.” The Russian supply is scheduled to be eliminated completely before 2020, and the American supply before 2023.
When the Chemical Weapons Convention first entered into force, 87 countries had signed. That number has since increased to 190.When the Chemical Weapons Convention first entered into force, 87 countries had signed. That number has since increased to 190.
Six countries — Angola, Egypt, Israel, Myanmar, North Korea and South Sudan — have yet to join. But the parliaments of both Angola and Myanmar recently approved participating in the treaty, and both of those countries are expected to join soon, the monitoring organization’s statement said. Angola, Egypt, Israel, Myanmar, North Korea and South Sudan have yet to join. But the parliaments of Angola and Myanmar recently approved participating in the treaty, and both countries are expected to join soon, the monitoring organization’s statement said.