Chemical weapons dumped at sea

The CWC reqnires the verified destruction of all chemical weapons. The destruction of such stockpiles must be completed no later than 29 April 2012. However, it is increasingly likely that Russia and the United States will not be able to meet this deadline. In addition, the final destruction of old and/or abandoned chemical weapons will probably take decades since such weapons continue to be uncovered each week (e.g., in Belgium). It should also be noted that chemical weapons dumped at sea before January 1985 or buried before January 1977 and which remain buried are not covered by the declaration and destraction requirements of the CWC. As a result, there is no obligation under the agreement for the parties to recover and to destroy these weapons, although hundreds of thousands of metric tons of chemical weapons have been dumped or buried worldwide. There is periodic support expressed for recovering or otherwise securing dumped chemical weapons. 

Article III subparagraph 1(a) and the relevant provisions ofPart IV(A) ofthe Verification Annex should be the basis for declarations related to the issues of chemical weapons buried by a State Party on its territory after 1976 and of chemical weapons dumped at sea after 1984. 

Hansard publications on chemical weapons dumping at sea Testimony of Mr. Soames http //www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cml99596/cmhansrd/vo951120/ text/51120w02.htm... 

The Convention requires that a State Party should destroy any chemical weapons it possesses within the first ten years after the Convention enters into force. In exceptional circumstances this period may be extended to 15 years. It is important to note that chemical weapons possessed by a State Party and buried on its own territory prior to 1 January 1977 do not have to be declared or destroyed as long as they remain buried. If, however, these weapons are recovered they must be declared and destroyed in accordance with the provisions of the Convention. Chemical weapons dumped at sea prior to 1 January 1985 do not have to be declared and are not subject to verification. 

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See also in sourсe #XX -- [ ]

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