Time for the U.S. to Ratify the Chemical Weapons Convention-A Summary of Events and Arguments
Abstract
The world is on the verge of a new Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) that not only closes the loopholes of the 1925 Protocol, but promises to truly eliminate a whole class of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) worldwide. Unfortunately the US, Russia, and China had not yet ratified the convention as of March 1997. Under bilateral agreements, the US and Russia have disclosed their stockpiles; however, China's stockpile remains shrouded in secrecy. Russia and China say they await US ratification before delivering their own instruments. Without the ratification signatures of the two, if not the three, largest chemically-armed states on the globe, success of the treaty is unlikely. In addition, the existing bilateral agreements between the US and Russia establish a demilitarization effort to reduce state stockpiles to 5,000 metric tons each. This residual tonnage serves as a hedge against each other and against those chemically-armed nations not covered under the bilateral agreements or restricted by the CWC. By examining the past and present chemical disarmament treaties, and combining the thrust of those agreements with the efforts of concerned authors, experts, and organizations, this project argues that the US must acknowledge its superpower responsibility and ratify the CWC before the first meeting of the CSP in May 1997. In addition, a summary of current and alternate technologies aids in understanding the environmental, political, and safety concerns associated with the global demilitarization of chemical weapons. In order to meet the demilitarization timelines within the CWC, world communities must feel safe and accept these available technologies (in their back yard). Lastly, a review of critical political, military, and economic issues exposes the arguments for and against ratification. Both sides have valid concerns, and the way we address those concerns, and whether we ratify the convention or not, will be precedent setting.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA424686
Entities
People
- Robert L. Sutton
Organizations
- Air War College