The Austrian Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dr. Benita Ferrero-Waldner visited the Organsation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) today. In addition to her meeting with the senior officials of the Secretariat, the Minister addressed the Permanent Representatives of the Member States of the OPCW.
In her remarks, Foreign Minister Ferrero-Waldner reflected upon the effect of the terrorist attacks in the United States, “These acts, directed against all freedom-loving peoples, were a brutal awakening. The spectre of weapons of mass destruction falling into the hands of terrorists and irresponsible regimes willing to use them unfortunately appears all too real.”
The tragedy of 11 September is a stark reminder of our enormous responsibility for making the world safer for all. “It is without any doubt”, Foreign Minister Ferrero-Waldner asserted, “that these events and their aftermath have made instruments such as the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) even more important as a cornerstone in our search for multilateral solutions to prevent the risks of an arms race. There is no alternative to the Convention. We cannot achieve disarmament and non-proliferation unilaterally.”
To reach the goal of a world free of the scourge of chemical weapons, universal adherence to the Convention is essential. “Austria will continue her efforts to encourage States, which are believed to possess chemical weapons and have neither ratified nor acceded to the Convention, to do so as soon as possible”, the Foreign Minister affirmed.
“There remained a danger of setbacks and of the erosion of support and commitment for the continuous implementation of the Convention”, the Foreign Minister warned and suggested re-doubled efforts in four areas of the Convention’s implementation: “The destruction of the chemical weapon stockpiles must be completed as quickly as possible; the system of declarations and inspections must be used by States Parties to promote compliance with the CWC; issues, such as transfer restrictions or declarations, must be resolved; the national measures needed to criminalise the use of chemical weapons must be undertaken; and finally, the Organisation must have sufficient capacity to mobilise and coordinate the necessary international response to requests of assistance and protection.
As a part of the OPCW’s assistance and protection concept in the event of the use of chemical weapons, Austria has offered a search and rescue unit called the Austrian Force for Disaster and Relief Unit (AFDRU). This unit is designed to undertake operations in an environment contaminated by chemical weapons. “The work and the success of the Organisation”, the Foreign Minister concluded, “are largely dependent on the Member States’ capacity to submit their voluntary contributions to the OPCW.”
“We are all grateful for your country’s unwavering commitment to the OPCW’s work”, OPCW Director-General José M Bustani replied, “The world has changed dramatically since 11 September. With the support of the Republic of Austria and the growing number of OPCW Member States, we will rise to meet the task of these new security circumstances.”
28/2001