Use of Chemical Weapons should be ‘An Outrageous Crime with Dire Consequences: Ban
October 02, 2012: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday said that he has expressed
grave concerns with statements made by representatives of the Syrian Government regarding
the existence of chemical weapons and their possible use. “I have also personally
conveyed these concerns directly to President Assad in writing many weeks ago. I
once again emphasize the fundamental responsibility of the Syrian Government to ensure
the safety and security of any such stockpiles. The use of such weapons would be
an outrageous crime with dire consequences.”
In his remarks to the High-Level
Meeting of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, in New York,
the UN Secretary-General urged for universality of the Chemical Weapons Convention
and added “Let us also never forget that chemical weapons are not only a security
concern; they also have profound humanitarian implications. The work of the Organization
for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and its member States affects all of us.
Let us all work together to eliminate the threat posed by chemical weapons for all
people and for all time.”