Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, the Director-General of the OPCW, addressed on 11 April 2006 a Joint Session of the Committees of External Relations, Defense, Criminal Law, Public Health and Welfare, Industry, Defence and Internal Security of the Argentine Parliament, under the Chairmanship of Mr Jorge Arguello, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the External Relations Committee.
The presence of the Director-General coincided with the presentation of the Argentine Draft Implementing Law relating to those aspects of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) so far not covered by the existing legislation. Consideration of the draft is expected to be completed in the course of the year.
The Director-General made a presentation on the status of implementation of the CWC and launched an appeal to the Argentine Parliament to provide, through the approval of the new law, another expression of tangible support to the efforts of the international community against weapons of mass destruction. Chairman Arguello and other legislators indicated their support and best disposition to consider and approve the draft, thus putting Argentina in full compliance with the provisions of the Convention.
The Legal Adviser of the OPCW, Santiago Oñate, was also present to address specific points raised by the Members of the various Committees.
During his visit to Argentina, Director-General Pfirter visited the War School and the Defence Research Establishment of the Argentine Armed Forces, where he made presentations on the CWC and the activities of the OPCW in the area of assistance and protection against chemical weapons.
On 12 April 2006, Ambassador Pfirter met Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana, who reaffirmed the Argentine Republic’s unwavering commitment to the goals and objectives of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the OPCW in its efforts to achieve universal and effective implementation of the Convention.
PR19 / 2006