The Hague, 18 November 2003

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, H.E. Ms Paula A. DeSutter, Visits the OPCW

From 17 to 18 November, 2003, the Assistant Secretary of State for Verification and Compliance, Ms Paula A. DeSutter, visited the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) headquarters and met with its Director-General, H.E. Mr Rogelio Pfirter.

Assistant Secretary DeSutter received a comprehensive overview of the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, including: the status of the destruction of chemical weapons, the destruction or conversion of chemical weapons production facilities; the on-going verification at chemical weapons-related and industrial sites; and the Organisation’s programme delivery in the areas of assistance and protection and international cooperation in the field of the peaceful uses of chemistry.

At her meeting with the Director-General, Assistant Secretary DeSutter reiterated her country’s strong political commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and expressed her country’s appreciation for the OPCW’s continuing achievements toward the total elimination of chemical weapons. In particular, she stressed the importance of full compliance on the part of States Parties and the effective use of all of the verification mechanisms foreseen by the Convention. In addition, she made clear that the continuing encouragement of States not party to either ratify or accede to the Convention was an issue of vital concern to the United States.

The Chemical Weapons Convention, banning chemical weapons, entered into force in 1997 and mandated the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to eliminate chemical weapons forever, verify the timely destruction of all declared chemical weapons, monitor the non-diversion of dual-use chemicals, facilitate the mutual assistance and protection afforded to all Member States, if any Member State is threatened by or attacked with chemical weapons, and promote the peaceful uses of chemistry.