U.N. Report: Chemical Weapons Use In Syria Confirmed, Details Point To Assad

[ProSense]

59. The report

includes a lot of details (trajectories, weapons systems, etc.) that implicate the Assad regime.

UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon is scheduled to address reporters shortly. Here's a summary of where things stand:

• Ban said UN investigators had found "overwhelming and indisputable" evidence that the nerve agent sarin was used in the east Ghouta attacks of 21 August. "The facts speak for themselves," Ban said in a statement.

• Eighty-five per cent of the blood samples tested positive for sarin, the UN report found, according to Ban. "A majority of the rockets or rocket fragments recovered were found to be carrying sarin."

• In its report on the chemical attack, the UN identified the surface-to-surface rockets used, their launching systems and their trajectories. Ban did not mention the Assad regime by name but the findings implicated forces linked to Assad.

• The Geneva deal between the US and Russia on dismantling Assad's chemical weapons program provides for "measures under Chapter VII of the UN charter" in the event of noncompliance, according to text of the agreement quoted by Ban. Chapter VII provides for "action by air, sea, or land forces as may be necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security."

- more -

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/16/un-inspectors-submit-syria-chemical-weapons-report-live#block-52373476e4b0a1b6b45de1a1

New York, 16 September 2013 - Secretary-General's remarks to the Security Council on the report of the United Nations Missions to Investigate Allegations of the Use of Chemical Weapons on the incident that occurred on 21 August 2013 in the Ghouta area of Damascus

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The United Nations Mission has now confirmed, unequivocally and objectively, that chemical weapons have been used in Syria.

This is a war crime and a grave violation of the 1925 Protocol and other rules of customary international law. I trust all can join me in condemning this despicable crime. The international community has a responsibility to hold the perpetrators accountable and to ensure that chemical weapons never re-emerge as an instrument of warfare.

The accession of Syria to the Chemical Weapons Convention and Syria’s belated acknowledgement that it possesses chemical weapons are welcome developments that come with strict obligations.

The Russian Federation and the United States, led by Foreign Minister Lavrov and Secretary of State Kerry, held intensive consultations in Geneva last week, along with their experts. I welcome the understanding they reached regarding the safeguarding and destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles. I hope the Security Council and the Executive Council of the OPCW can move quickly to consider and implement this plan. I stand ready to support this plan in every way possible, while also fully realizing the complexities of such an undertaking in the midst of a civil war.

The unity of the Security Council will be crucial. Given the gravity of the situation, I urge the Council to consider ways to ensure enforcement of, and compliance with, the plan through a clear resolution. In that regard, I draw your attention to a significant element in the agreement reached in Geneva, and I quote:

"The United States and the Russian Federation concur that this UN Security Council resolution should provide for review on a regular basis the implementation in Syria of the decision of the Executive Council of the OPCW, and in the event of non-compliance, including unauthorized transfer, or any use of chemical weapons by anyone in Syria, the UN Security Council should impose measures under Chapter VII of the UN Charter."

- more -

http://www.un.org/sg/statements/index.asp?nid=7083