Controlling Chemical Weapons

The entry into force of the 1993 CWC on 29 April 1997 was unique in the history of arms control. This agreement both banned an entire class of weapons and simultaneously addressed chemical proliferation concerns. It was not, however, the attention to non-proliferation that made the Convention unique, rather that the CWC incorporated an elaborate international system for verification of compliance.1 

Certainly, some states in unstable regions of the world remain interested in chemical weapons. While they are probably not the most effective battlefield weapons, chemical weapons can instil terror in entire populations and compel governments to strike pre-emptively against chemical weapons production and storage sites. The presumption of a chemical warfare capability in an adversary state can magnify an existing condition of crisis instability. The CWC offered the prospect that in the not too distant future an entire class of unconventional weaponry would be eliminated. 

Attempts to ban chemical weapons progressed from early restrictions on their use to their total prohibition and elimination. Abhorrence against the use of poison in war can be found in some of the oldest literature of several cultures.2 In the nineteenth century the international community began to codify the conduct and customs of war, which resulted in the 

1899 and 1907 Hague Regulations Respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land. Poison and poisoned weapons were unconditionally outlawed an expression of the fundamental principles that the means of injuring the enemy are not limitless and that warfare is subject to humanitarian law. 

However, during the Second World War, apart from Japanese operations in China, chemical weapons were not used and, after the defeat of the Axis powers, the advent of the atomic bomb overshadowed chemical warfare-related issues. Chemical weapons essentially disappeared from the disarmament scene until the late 1960s when events in the Vietnam War prompted the United Nations to prioritise chemical disarmament. However, it should be noted that the United Nations is, of course, the servant of its member states, not master of them, and as such is really in no position to prioritise anything. Indeed, the reality was that in 1968 was that the Eighteen Nation Disarmament Conference decided to 

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The collapse of the USSR in the late 1980s and early 1990s was a step forward in controlling chemical weapons. However, by this time, destruction of chemical weapons was becoming increasingly difficult due to environmental issues. Incineration is now the only acceptable method of disposal and as yet only a limited number of suitable incinerators exist as the process is dangerous and expensive. 

At a time when mobilization of the Army was moving forward at a rapid pace, this order confronted the Chemical Warfare Service with difficult questions about the future of a substantial number of Reserve officers who had been trained for active duty with chemical regiments. Another consideration which affected these units was the decision, arrived at earlier that the regiment was not the most satisfactory type of wartime organization for special gas troops. Instead of the regiment, the battalion was determined to be the largest tactical unit that could be utilized effectively for controlling chemical weapons operations. 

The concept of the controlled chemical fireball is said to have significantly advanced the potential effectiveness of incendiary weapons. Theoretical studies have indicated that a great many applications may be possible, since, by changing the blend of the chemical constituents so as to achieve predetermined rates of combustion, the incendiary agent may be adapted to various operational requirements... 

The earliest information on Russia s novichok chemical weapons program which was codenamed "Foliant," carne just prior to Moscow s signing of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) from two Russian chemists. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Russia produced several new agents that were reportedly made from chemicals not controlled by the CWC. 

In the event of (a) the use of chemical weapons or riot control agents as a method of warfare, and/or (b) the threat of the use of chemical weapons, and/or (c) the threat of actions or activities prohibited for States Parties by Article I ... 

Kenyon Ian. Chemical Weapons in the Twentieth Century Their Use and Their Control. The CBW Convention Bulletin, 48, June 2000 ... 

The Chemical Weapons Convention of the 13.01.1993 is disarmament and arms control treaty whose aims are the prohibition of... 

The Chemical Weapons Convention includes lists of the chemicals it controls ... 

M M2 8 MACT MAV MDB MDM MEO MPA MPa MPT MSB molar concentration energetic material used for propulsion of certain assembled chemical weapons maximum achievable control technology modified ammunition van munitions demilitarization building munitions demilitarization machine mediated electrochemical oxidation methylphosphonic acid megapascals metal parts treater munitions storage building... 

PA PCP PCR PFA PGB PHA PID PLC PMACWA PMD POTW ppm PRH PRR psi psig PTFE PVDF PWS picric acid pentachlorophenol propellant collection reactor perfluoroalkoxy product gas burner preliminary hazards analysis proportional integral differential controller programmable logic control Program Manager for Assembled Chemical Weapons Assessment projectile mortar demilitarization (machine) publicly owned treatment works parts per million projectile rotary hydrolyzer propellant removal room pounds per square inch pounds per square inch gauge polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) polyvinylidene fluoride projectile washout system... 

Dr. Meselson remains a prominent leader in the cause of arms control, especially biological and chemical weapons, and has been the recipient of many deserved awards. It was nice that, despite our ideological differences, we were able to have a frank and friendly (although brief) exchange of opinions. 

Edgewood Arsenal was designated as the Army s commodity center for all chemical weapons and defense equipment research and development. In this category, the Arsenal s former administrative control over the hiological laboratories at Fort Detrick, Md, was relinquished and Fort Detrick was established as a separate commodity center for biological weapons and defense research and development... 

In May 1936 the Italian Army completely routed the Ethiopian Army and, indeed, Italy controlled most of Ethiopia until 1941 when the British and other Allied troops re-conquered the country. Major Norman E. Fiske, an observer with the Italian Army, commented with regard to the role of chemical warfare that the Italians were clearly superior and victory for them was assured no matter what. According to Fiske, the use of chemical weapons was, however, nothing more than an experiment. 

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