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Russia Confirms Efforts to Destroy Chemical Weapons
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov on Thursday confirmed Russia's readiness to destroy chemical weapons after the Russian Ammunition Agency announced Wednesday to delay a destruction deadline from 2007 to 2012.
"We must meet our international obligations not only of debts, but also in regard to environmental protection and disarmament, including such a dangerous thing as the destruction of chemical weapons," Kasyanov told a Thursday governmental session.
He said Russia has not yet fulfilled its international commitment to destroy chemical weapons due to a lack of funding.
"This situation cannot be tolerated any longer," the prime minister said. "Today we should more clearly define the chemical weapons elimination program and be confident that the program will be implemented."
According to a report of the Russian Ammunition Agency presented to Thursday's session, Russia had pledged to destroy all its chemical weapons, an arsenal of 40,000 tons of poisonous gas, before 2007 in line with an international convention.
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