PRESS RELEASE

The Public Forum "Russia's Problems in Implementing the Convention on the Chemical Weapons Ban," hosted by Green Cross Russia, was held on November 4, 1998, and was attended by governors, administration heads of regions with chemical weapons stockpiles, representatives of the Government of the Russian Federation, representatives of governments of foreign countries, and public organizations.

The Convention on the ban of the chemical weapons development, production, accumulation, use and their destruction is an international agreement of utmost importance for our country, as the Russian Federation is the largest owner of the chemical weapons in the world.

By the Convention ratification, Russia is obliged to destroy all its stocks within 10 years with a possible prolongation for five additional years. According to experts, the estimated costs of destruction are about $ 5,7 billion.

The economic situation in Russia now jeopardizes the fulfillment of this international obligation.

International assistance to Russia in the chemical weapons destruction has a form of bilateral projects. The most weighty contribution is being made by the United States of America, which is financing the construction of a facility for nerve agent destruction in Shchuch'ye, Kurgan Oblast.

The Forum participants expressed frustration regarding the financing of the destruction of chemical weapons and demanded the following:

• to accelerate the adoption of a number of laws providing the legal and social protection of the population living in the areas of stockpiling;
• to provide financing and fulfillment of the Federal Program "Chemical weapons stockpiles destruction in the Russian Federation";
• to work out the mechanism of non-budget financing.

The Forum participants approved the Appeal of non-governmental environmental organizations to all states, intergovernmental organizations, foundations and private persons to support the process of the chemical disarmament. They are ready to use all their forces and possibilities to make their contribution to the fulfillment of Russia's international obligations on the chemical disarmament.

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