OPCW Commends Saudi Arabia`s Position

Washington, June 18, SPA--Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, who is the
Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical
Weapons (OPCW), on Wednesday, praised the international political
backing his group has received particularly from Saudi Arabia, Qatar,
and Columbia.

Speaking to an audience at the Carnegie Endowment for International
Peace, Pfirter said that the group’s 188 member states have committed
to removing their chemical weapons by 2012. The OCPW has run 1,500
inspections in 80 different countries. While the ambassador showed
some hesitation about countries like the United States and Russia
meeting the 2012 deadline, he said it is important to focus on the
fact that they are moving towards the complete destruction of their
stockpiles.

The United States and Russia, which are the holders of the world’s
largest chemical stockpiles, have been working diligently to meet the
deadline asked of them. To date, Russia has destroyed 38 percent of
its stockpiles, and the United States has destroyed over 60 percent
of it’s, as well.

Touting the “comprehensive” nature of this plan, Pfirter said that at
the request of the member nations, the OPCW can send trainers to
properly train those so-called “possessor states” on the destruction
of their chemical weaponry. The ambassador specifically pointed to
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Columbia, which have all requested such
training from the OCPW.

Pfirter’s comments came as the advisor at the Saudi embassy in the
Hague, Naif bin Bandar Al-Sudeiry told the fifth meeting for the
international initiative for fighting nuclear terrorism, that Saudi
Arabia is again pushing for the Middle East to be free from nuclear
weapons.

Pfirter said that the Middle East has posed the most challenge to the
2012 elimination goals, namely because they have not been as open
about disclosing their stockpiles.
--SPA