The Hague, 15 October 2001

The Fifth Annual Assistance Coordination Workshop will be held in Vienna, Austria from 15 to 18 October 2001. In light of recent terrorist attacks and the threat of chemical terrorism, this workshop, hosted by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), is focusing on strengthening the state of readiness within the membership of the OPCW. It is imperative that timely, effective, and efficient emergency assistance be provided to State Parties, should they perceive a threat from, or be victim of, the use of chemical weapons.

This workshop focuses on mobilising and coordinating the international response to requests for assistance in case of use or threat of use of chemical weapons. The offers of assistance made by States Parties, the resources located in different parts of the world, and the state of readiness within OPCW Headquarters in the Netherlands, will be reviewed, and solutions for bridging any possible gaps will be addressed. Discussion will include the airlifting of any required equipment, coordinating delivery, and the distribution of assistance.

There are three primary scenarios where chemical weapons might be used, thus leading to a request for assistance: a military confrontation amongst states, a low intensity conflict such as a civil war, and chemical terrorism.

An important element of the workshop will be a demonstration of the Austrian offer to the OPCW of a search and rescue operation in an environment contaminated by chemical weapons.

Seventy representatives of States Parties and representatives of international organisations mandated to deliver emergency assistance will be represented at this workshop. Participants include representatives from NATO and the United States, which is attending for the first time.