Kuwait Hails Achievements of OPCW Conference
Text of report in English by Kuwaiti news agency Kuna website
The Hague, 9 November: A Kuwaiti official stressed here Friday the importance of his country’s participation in the 12th Session of the Conference of State Parties of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which kicked-off here earlier this week.
Kuwait is currently awaiting the approval by the National Assembly of a draft law on the prohibition of the use, development, stockpiling and production of chemical weapons, deputy chairman of the Kuwaiti national committee for the prohibition of chemical weapons Dr Mohammed Buzubar said in an exclusive statement to KUNA.
“Such international events provide an opportunity to “rid the Middle East region off mass destruction weapons and follow up all developments related to the implementation of convention on the prohibition of the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons and on their destruction,” he noted.
“The convention is the first that provides for a complete destruction of chemical weapons. “It is also a means for the international community to ensure that mass destruction weapons are not developed, stockpiled, produced or used,” Buzubar pointed out.
“The convention is a tool to guarantee that the world is free from chemical weapons. It also stresses the importance of using chemistry for peaceful purposes,” Dr Buzubar noted.
Up to 182 countries are members of the convention, he said, hoping that to convention will be a global one once the remaining countries join it. The wide membership of the convention reflects its vitality and is conducive to endeavours to spread world peace and security.
“Kuwait does not have to produce chemical weapons in order to be party of the convention. “Rather, its membership aims to make sure that all chemical substances are used safely especially that chemistry is a main factor in many industries such as the petrochemical industry,” according to Buzubar.
He added that Kuwait is keen on making sure that chemical substances are in “safe hands and are used for peaceful purposes”.
As for Kuwait’s win of seat in the OPCW Executive Council for 2008-2010, he said that it is of great importance and reflects the country’s status internationally.
Dr Buzubar indicated that Kuwait, in its new post, will represent the Asian group after all the Asian countries has supported its nomination.
Kuwait will be a “more effective” member with new mission especially that it was a council member from 2003 to 2005. Kuwait has a wide experience on the tasks assigned to it in this regard, he pointed out.
“Kuwait will coordinate with the Asian group and unify all efforts to establish a mechanism based on the proposals that will be presented to the Second Special Session of the Conference of States Parties to Review the Operation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which is due here next April,” according to the official.
Meanwhile, Dr Buzubar said it was of great importance for the Kuwaiti National Assembly to approve the draft law on prohibiting the use, development, production and stockpiling of chemical weapons especially after Kuwait won a seat in the OPCW Executive Council.
He added that the approval of the draft law would be added to Kuwait’s accomplishments as it would mean it had fulfilled all its commitments under the convention.
Kuwait’s recent victory is considered a further achievement for Kuwait and a fruit for all the efforts it exerts in supporting all organizations that are specialized in the prohibition of chemical weapons and fighting for human rights, Dr Buzubar underscored.
The Kuwaiti national committee for the prohibition of chemical weapons was established in the year 2000 according to decision issued by the minister of defence.
Its members include the ministers of foreign affairs and oil and chief of the Public Authority for Industry, as well as chiefs of oil companies.
Its mission is to contract the OPCW and follows-up the implementation of all legislations and amendments in the convention.
“Kuwait is planning to issue a law that would criminalize the use of chemical weapons, which is currently being mulled by the National Assembly,” Dr Buzubar noted.
He expressed hope that the draft law would be approved soon as once it is ratified Kuwait would have fulfilled the “majority of its commitments towards the convention”.
According to the convention, all state parties are obliged to prohibit the use, development, production, purchase, stockpile or retain chemical weapons, or transfer, directly or indirectly, chemical weapons to a third party. They should not engage in any military preparations to use chemical weapons, assist, encourage or induce, in any way, anyone to engage in any activity prohibited under this Convention.
In order to fulfil its obligations under this convention, each State Party is entitled to designate or establish a national authority to serve as the national focal point for effective liaison with the OPCW and other states parties.
Each state party has also to inform the organization of the legislative and administrative measures taken to implement the Convention.
Originally published by Kuna news agency website, Kuwait, in English 1139 10 Nov 07.
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