Brussels, 17/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 17 September, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton welcomed the publication of the UN inspectors' report, the previous day, on the events in Syria on 21 August.
“With this report we now have reliable evidence confirming that a large-scale chemical attack was perpetrated on that day with the use of sarin gas. The report also corroborates that surface-to-surface rockets containing the nerve agent sarin were used in four areas of Damascus. These are indications that will help identify the perpetrators”, Ashton stated in a press release.
However, in the view of France and the UK, these perpetrators have already been identified. UK Foreign Secretary William Hague welcomed “this objective and unequivocal report which confirms chemical weapons were used on a large scale”. He clearly accused the regime - “from the wealth of technical detail in the report (…), it is abundantly clear that the Syrian regime is the only party that could have been responsible for using chemical weapons”.
“When one looks at the data clearly - the quantities of toxic gas used, the complexity of the mixes, the nature and trajectories of the delivery - it leaves no doubt as to the origin of the attack”, said France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. In his opinion, the report “strengthens the position of those who say the regime is guilty” (our translation).
“The EU stands united in condemning, in the strongest terms, this horrific attack which constitutes a violation of international law, a war crime, and a crime against humanity. There can be no impunity and perpetrators of the attacks must be held accountable”, Ashton continued, recalling the statement of the foreign affairs ministers at the Gymnich on 7 September (see EUROPE 10917).
“It is equally important that we ensure accountability for those responsible for using chemical weapons in Syria, as well as for those responsible for the many horrific war crimes and abuses being carried out there, particularly by the regime. We will consult our partners about how that can be achieved”, Hague stated.
On 17 September, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described the use of chemical weapons as “war crimes” and demanded that those responsible pay for this despicable crime.
Need for a swift UN resolution. In the opinion of both Ashton and Hague, the publication of the report shows the importance of the initiative for the rapid and safe destruction of Syria's chemical weapons.
Ashton reiterated her appeal to the United Nations Security Council to assume its responsibilities by promptly accepting an effective resolution that will authorise destruction of the arms. Hague called for a resolution which creates a “binding commitment for the regime to give up its chemical weapons within a specific timeframe and to credibly, reliable and promptly place them under international control for destruction”. In the view of Germany's Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, the report confirms the use of chemical weapons in Syria. “This is a crime against civilisation and it requires a determined United Nations Security Council resolution”, he said. On 17 September, Russia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov said that the resolution will not make reference to Chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter, which provides for the possibility of sanctions, and indeed for recourse to force. Ban Ki-moon also said that the agreement must have consequences for Damascus if the resolution on chemical weapons is not respected.
In the view of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the beginning of the destruction of the stock of chemical weapons in Syria should be a question of days. The OPCW Executive Council should meet “very soon” (on 19-20 September) to discuss the Syrian issue. (CG/transl.fl)