Basseterre, St. Kitts (November 02, 2004): Director for External Relations of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Mr. Huang Yu, has expressed the wish to simplify and clarify the Chemical Weapons Convention for OECS Countries at a workshop over the next two days.
Director Yu, stressed the importance of countries’ ratification of the Convention and added that while Caribbean islands are all too aware of the impact of natural disasters, there needs to be increased awareness about chemical weapons which pose the threat of man-made disasters.
He added that the OPCW is currently addressing this threat from the destruction of the existing stockpiles and monitoring of chemical industry to prevent further proliferation. The threat to local populations and the environment of old leakage spots as well as the more immediate threat of terrorism, were also highlighted.
According to Mr Yu the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis is the newest State Party to the Convention of which Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are party.
The director disclosed that one of the main objectives of the Workshop on the Universality and Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention is to encourage the remaining OECS states to ratify the convention. He added that while Antigua and Barbuda are scheduled for ratification, Grenada has had a delay in the process due to the impact of Hurricane Ivan.
The Bahamas and Haiti have signed but not yet ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Mr Yu made reference to the disaster preparedness billboards he has seen around St. Kitts drawing parallels to the objective of the OPCW. According to Mr Yu, The signs which read "Disasters: Swift Sudden; Deadly, Let’s Get Ready Now! are very much the message of the OPCW which urges countries to act now to prevent and avoid man-made disasters where necessary.
He revealed that while there are many commonalities in the development of basic emergency response, there is specific and critical training and expertise that is required when dealing with chemical threats.
Mr Yu congratulated St. Kitts and Nevis as the first country to act on the OAS’ adoption of the Resolution on the Establishment of a Region Free of Biological and Chemical Weapons.
There are 167 members of the Convention of Chemical Weapons worldwide.
