weapons stockpiles WASHINGTON, Oct 3 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton affirmed on Monday the United States' commitment to the complete destruction of its chemical weapons stockpiles.
"At the end of the Cold War, the United States joined together with other nations in the Chemical Weapons Convention to state in unequivocal terms that we will end our chemical weapons programs and destroy existing stockpiles, precursor chemicals, production facilities and weapons delivery systems", said Clinton in a statement.
"The United States is committed to the complete elimination of chemical weapons stockpiles in the United States and around the world. To date, we have already destroyed 89 percent of our original chemical weapons stockpile. We reaffirm our commitment to finish the job as quickly as possible in accordance with national and treaty requirements that ensure the safety of people and the protection of the environment", she added.
Clinton noted that as of today 188 countries have joined the international community and renounced chemical weapons while "under international verification, stockpiles and production facilities are steadily being eliminated.
The United States will continue to cooperate closely with the other member states of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and work toward complete elimination in the United States and around the world".
"The international community must continue to speak with one voice and remain vigilant, so these weapons pose no threat to people here or anywhere", she concluded. (end) jm.sd KUNA 031854 Oct 11NNNN