Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention
Statement by the Leader of Pakistan delegation, Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry at the 58th session of the Executive Council of the OPCW
The Hague, 13 October 2009
Mr. Chairman,
Let me begin by commending you for the manner in which you have been steering the work of the Executive Council. We have important items on the agenda of this session. We are confident that under your chairmanship we are assured of success.
We also thank the Director General and his able team for facilitating our work.
My delegation would like to associate with the statement of the NAM countries plus China made by the Ambassador of Cuba.
Mr. Chairman,
We take the floor to outline our position on some important issues on our agenda.
Pakistan attaches high importance to the CWC and would like to see its full and non-discriminatory implementation by all State Parties. We are encouraged to see that substantial amount of chemical weapons stockpiles have been destroyed. However, we note that considerable stockpiles and abandoned chemical weapons are yet to be destroyed.
It is our expectation that all possessor states will fulfill their obligations for the complete destruction of chemical weapons within the deadline set forth in the Convention.
It has now been brought to the notice of the Council that one of the major possessor states may not be able to meet the deadline of 2012. There is also another request by a state party for extension in the deadline.
While appreciating the effort made by the major possessor states to eliminate their chemical weapons arsenals, and noting that they remain fully committed to the Convention, it is our expectation that the issue of deadlines will be addressed in such a manner that is consistent with the provisions of the Convention and will not modify its fundamental rules, in the long-term interest and integrity of the Convention.
Apropos the proposal made on the security and destruction of chemical weapons in situations not foreseen by the Chemical Weapons Convention, we support the position taken by the NAM and believe that this issue needs to be addressed bearing in mind its political and legal implications for the Convention and for our work in this Council.
On the issues of universality, the importance of international cooperation under Article XI of the Convention, the effective implementation of Article X of the CWC on assistance and protection against Chemical Weapons, and issues relating to declaration and inspection of OCPF sites, we fully support the position espoused in the NAM and China statement.
We support the draft Program Budget of the OPCW for 2009, and hope that the resources allocated will be used optimally to finance all key programs and activities of the Organization and in full compliance with the financial rules and regulations. Similarly, we support the call for human resources to be recruited on the basis of competence, fair and transparent procedures, and with due regard to equitable geographical representation.
Mr. Chairman,
Pakistan attaches importance to the issue of the appointment of the Director General of the OPCW. In this regard we appreciate your efforts to select by consensus the most competent candidate. The agreed roadmap is a good guide and has served us well thus far. My delegation will continue to constructively participate in this process under your leadership.
Mr. Chairman,
I take this opportunity to reaffirm my country’s strong commitment to the CWC and our resolve to participate actively in the work of this Organization.
In this regard, I may mention that at the national level, Pakistan’s National Authority has taken all necessary measures, including a Wide Area Network, to ensure better implementation of CWC in Pakistan.
We are honoured to host in Islamabad this month the first international basic course on assistance and protection against chemical weapons. We were encouraged by the high positive response we received from all state parties and wish to acknowledge the excellent support we are receiving from the Technical Secretariat to organize this event.
Pakistan is also pleased to become a part of the Scientific Advisory Board, and hope that our expert scientist would bring constructive contribution to the work of this important body.
Finally, we assure you, Mr. Chairman, of this delegation’s full cooperation and support to you and the Council.
I thank you.
The Hague, 13 October 2009
Mr. Chairman,
Let me begin by commending you for the manner in which you have been steering the work of the Executive Council. We have important items on the agenda of this session. We are confident that under your chairmanship we are assured of success.
We also thank the Director General and his able team for facilitating our work.
My delegation would like to associate with the statement of the NAM countries plus China made by the Ambassador of Cuba.
Mr. Chairman,
We take the floor to outline our position on some important issues on our agenda.
Pakistan attaches high importance to the CWC and would like to see its full and non-discriminatory implementation by all State Parties. We are encouraged to see that substantial amount of chemical weapons stockpiles have been destroyed. However, we note that considerable stockpiles and abandoned chemical weapons are yet to be destroyed.
It is our expectation that all possessor states will fulfill their obligations for the complete destruction of chemical weapons within the deadline set forth in the Convention.
It has now been brought to the notice of the Council that one of the major possessor states may not be able to meet the deadline of 2012. There is also another request by a state party for extension in the deadline.
While appreciating the effort made by the major possessor states to eliminate their chemical weapons arsenals, and noting that they remain fully committed to the Convention, it is our expectation that the issue of deadlines will be addressed in such a manner that is consistent with the provisions of the Convention and will not modify its fundamental rules, in the long-term interest and integrity of the Convention.
Apropos the proposal made on the security and destruction of chemical weapons in situations not foreseen by the Chemical Weapons Convention, we support the position taken by the NAM and believe that this issue needs to be addressed bearing in mind its political and legal implications for the Convention and for our work in this Council.
On the issues of universality, the importance of international cooperation under Article XI of the Convention, the effective implementation of Article X of the CWC on assistance and protection against Chemical Weapons, and issues relating to declaration and inspection of OCPF sites, we fully support the position espoused in the NAM and China statement.
We support the draft Program Budget of the OPCW for 2009, and hope that the resources allocated will be used optimally to finance all key programs and activities of the Organization and in full compliance with the financial rules and regulations. Similarly, we support the call for human resources to be recruited on the basis of competence, fair and transparent procedures, and with due regard to equitable geographical representation.
Mr. Chairman,
Pakistan attaches importance to the issue of the appointment of the Director General of the OPCW. In this regard we appreciate your efforts to select by consensus the most competent candidate. The agreed roadmap is a good guide and has served us well thus far. My delegation will continue to constructively participate in this process under your leadership.
Mr. Chairman,
I take this opportunity to reaffirm my country’s strong commitment to the CWC and our resolve to participate actively in the work of this Organization.
In this regard, I may mention that at the national level, Pakistan’s National Authority has taken all necessary measures, including a Wide Area Network, to ensure better implementation of CWC in Pakistan.
We are honoured to host in Islamabad this month the first international basic course on assistance and protection against chemical weapons. We were encouraged by the high positive response we received from all state parties and wish to acknowledge the excellent support we are receiving from the Technical Secretariat to organize this event.
Pakistan is also pleased to become a part of the Scientific Advisory Board, and hope that our expert scientist would bring constructive contribution to the work of this important body.
Finally, we assure you, Mr. Chairman, of this delegation’s full cooperation and support to you and the Council.
I thank you.
