Chemical weapons talks prove difficult

Abstract

The reemergence of chemical weapons use has posed challenges and heightened tensions for members of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). In November, diplomats from across the world met in the Netherlands to discuss their progress in eliminating chemical weapons. Heated debate sometimes ensued as government representatives discussed how to eliminate the threat of chemical warfare worldwide. The OPCW implements provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which went into effect in 1997. Over the past two decades, 96% of declared chemical weapons stockpiles have been destroyed, the OPCW says. But “the world has changed and the OPCW must adapt to a new environment and to new threats and challenges,” says a joint declaration by 57 OPCW member states, including the US and UK, published Nov. 30. The statement urges strengthening of OPCW activities. The OPCW has 193 member states. The meetings involved two back-to-back conferences. One was