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OPCW’s 18th Conference of States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention
The document summarizes Syria's chemical weapons disarmament schedule and process as agreed upon when Syria joined the Chemical Weapons Convention in September 2013, following allegations of chemical weapons attacks. Key points include: Syria's schedule for removing and destroying chemical weapons by mid-2014; plans to neutralize mustard agents and precursors aboard the MV Cape Ray using a field deployable hydrolysis system, as was successfully used in the US; outstanding issues regarding transport through Syria's conflict and risks of on-board work; and Kentucky's potential contributions based on its experience with chemical weapons destruction projects.
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OPCW’s 18th Conference of States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention
- 1. OPCW’s 18th Conferenceof States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention ----- Syria’s Chemical Weapons ****** Presented to the Kentucky CAC/CDCAB 11 December 2013
- 2. Alleged CW Usein Syria • July 23, 2012 – Syria confirms CW • December 23 – Homs attack, 7 killed • March 19, 2013 – Aleppo & Damascus • March 24 – Adra • April 13 – Aleppo • April 29 – Saraqeb
- 3. Syria’s CWC Accession •August 21, 2013 – Large scale CW attack in Ghouta region. 1,400+ killed, including 400 children. • September 14 – Syria accedes to CWC • October 14 – CWC enters into force for Syria as 190th State Party 3
- 4. Syria’s CWD Schedule •31 Dec – removal of all mustard and key binary chemicals from Syria • 31 Jan 2014 – destruction of unfilled munitions in Syria • 5 Feb – all remaining chemicals removed from Syria 4
- 5. Syria’s CWD Schedule(cont.) • 1 Mar – isopropanol destroyed in Syria • 1 Mar – remaining mustard in containers destroyed in Syria • 31 Mar – mustard & key binary chemicals destroyed • 30 Jun – all other chemicals destroyed 5
- 6. Syria’s CWD Schedule(cont.) • 31 Dec 2014 – all effluent destroyed • All production facilities destroyed with 4 deadlines: 15 Dec 2013; 15 Jan, 15 Feb, & 15 Mar 2014 • Effective destruction of declared CW stockpile by mid-2014 6
- 7. Neutralization on Ship viaField Deployable Hydrolysis System (FDHS) • Mustard agent and binary chemicals to be neutralized with mobile hydrolysis system • Neutralization with hot water and caustic chemicals • On board MV Cape Ray 7
- 8. CWD Neutralization • Usedsuccessfully at two US CW stockpiles – Aberdeen, Maryland (1,621 Ts) and Newport, Indiana (1,269 Ts) • Will be used at Pueblo, Colorado (2,600 Ts) and Blue Grass, Kentucky (523 Ts) 8
- 9. MV Cape Ray •Bulk carrier • Built 1977 • Displacement – 35,350 tons • 648 ft. long • All self-contained – no release of chemicals or effluents to ocean or environment 9
- 10. Conclusions • Syrian CWDschedule is ambitious but doable • Dealing with mustard agent and nerve agent precursor chemicals not difficult vs. weapons • Strict environmental & public health controls • Strict international inspection regime 10
- 11. Outstanding Issues ofConcern • How to safely transport materials through Syria during the ongoing conflict • Risks Associated with On-Board Work Environment (i.e. moving platform) • Possible Port for On-Board Treatment • Where and How to treat Secondary Waste
- 12. The Kentucky Contribution • BolsterConfidence in the use of Neutralization as a reliable destruction approach by pointing to the success of the Newport, IN and Aberdeen, MD projects. • Input into secondary waste treatment processes. • Provide views on successful methods of civil society acceptance of disposal methods and locations.
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