WASHINGTON
US Secretary of State John Kerry Thursday commended progress made in the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles.
“International inspectors have worked with unprecedented speed to accomplish the first milestone in eliminating Syria’s chemical weapons and reducing the possibility that they will ever be used again,” said Kerry in a statement released to the press.
He added, “Now we must make sure the job is finished and that every one of these banned weapons is removed and destroyed. This is meaningful progress which many believed would be impossible. The progress must continue.”
The Organization for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) announced Thursday that Syria destroyed its declared production, mixing and filling equipment, and placed all declared chemical weapons under seal.
The Secretary said, “Where chemical weapons are concerned, we cannot lose sight of what has been accomplished thus far and what continues every day. Backed by the full weight of the United Nations and the international community, OPCW inspectors have responded to an unspeakable atrocity with unparalleled action. Nothing less would be acceptable after events that shocked the conscience of the world and left 1,400 innocent Syrians dead.”
Still, Kerry insisted that the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons is not the end game in Syria.
“We must also be crystal clear that eliminating Syria’s chemical weapons is not a substitute for ending the civil war nor does it end the humanitarian catastrophe that continues to unfold,” he said.
America's top diplomat recalled that if weapons inspectors are able to gain access to Syria’s hotbeds, so too should aid workers.
“If weapons inspectors can carry out their critical mission, then I refuse to believe we can’t find a way for aid workers to carry out their equally critical mission delivering food and medical treatment to Syrians in need,” said Kerry.
Kerry added that the US has given approximately $6 million to support the mission of the OPCW-UN mission, and that the administration intends to continue its assistance.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
