STATEMENT BY JOSE MAURICIO BUSTANI,
DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE OPCW
ORGANIZATION FOR THE PROHIBITION
OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS
December 8, 2000
The Secretariat deeply regrets the fact that, in addition to the general disclaimer clause in the OPCW magazine Synthesis stating that "the views expressed reflect those of the authors, and not necessarily reflect the views of the OPCW", a different approach should have been adopted by the Editorial Board with regard to the two articles published in the November 2000 issue of the magazine - namely those contributed by two academics from two non-Member States in the Middle East. The purpose of the two articles was to stimulate informal discussion about problems standing in the way of achieving the universality of the CWC in that region. However, the oversight by those concerned resulted in the publication of what can be summarised as unsubstantiated allegations against the Islamic Republic of Iran and its commitment to the CWC, as well as allegations of the ineffectiveness of the CWC regime in general.
I have ordered a full investigation into the reasons that led to the situation whereby established procedures and specific instructions given at the time of the submission of the material in question were not followed, thus causing serious embarrassment to the State Party concerned and, indeed, to the Secretariat itself.
On the substance of the matter the Secretariat wishes to reiterate that it has no reason whatsoever to question Iran's full compliance with the CWC, and that the application of verification measures in Iran is strictly in accordance with the Convention. There are no grounds for any concern or ambiguity in this regard. Furthermore, all verification activities in the Islamic Republic of Iran have been conducted in an atmosphere of openness and transparency, and with the full cooperation of the Iranian Government. Equally, none of the 140 other States Parties has raised any such concerns within the OPCW, which is the sole competent and legitimate authority to verify compliance with the Convention. The Secretariat also rejects the above-mentioned allegations of the ineffectiveness of the CWC regime.
In addition to being distributed to all delegations, the text of this statement is being immediately sent to all subscribers to Synthesis.
I would like to conclude with offering, once again, our sincere apologies to the Islamic Republic of Iran.