OPCW Adopts New Syria Chem Plan, Albania Refuses to Host Dismantling

Local Editor

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons [OPCW] adopted a new plan Friday night for the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons arsenal, after Albania refused to host the dismantling of the stockpile.
The country turned the option down despite a request by the US, its NATO ally.
"It is impossible for Albania to get involved in this operation," Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said Friday, following a heated debate discussions with several UN members, including the US and days of growing public discontent at home.
It is worth mentioning that the OPCW hit the deadline Friday for a step-by-step plan to get rid of 1,300 tons of Syria's sarin, mustard gas, and other agents.

The plan adopted on Friday night sets out new deadlines for the dismantling process, but does not name the host country. "Syrian chemical weapons will be transported for destruction outside its territory to ensure their destruction in the 'safest and soonest manner', and no later than June 30th 2014," reads a statement on the organization's website.

"The plan provides a clear roadmap. It sets ambitious milestones to be met by the government," OPCW Director General Ahmet Uzumcu said. "This next phase will be the most challenging and its timely execution will require the existence of a secure environment for the verification and transport of chemical weapons."
"Continuing international support and assistance for this endeavour will remain crucial," he added.

According to the plan, the "most critical" chemicals will be transported out of Syria by December 31, 2013. All other declared chemical substances and precursors will be removed no later than February 5, 2014, with the exception of isopropanol - one of the two key ingredients for sarin.

The possibility of Tirana inviting thousands of tons of toxic waste from Syria to be destroyed on its territory sparked protests, with hundreds of demonstrators taking to the streets to say "no" to such a plan.
"We lack the necessary capacities to get involved in this operation," PM Rama added in his televised address on Friday.

Albania was considering hosting a facility for dismantling the chemicals at the request of the United States, its close Western ally.
However, an OPCW source earlier told Reuters, Albania may not be the only hope for the completion of the plan.

"There will be no host country in the decision this afternoon. But they [the US] have alternatives," the OPCW source said.

Despite Albania's refusal, the US remains "confident that we will complete elimination of the [weapons] program within the timeline agreed upon," the US embassy in Tirana said in a statement quoted by Reuters.
Taking into account the situation on the ground, the OPCW said it plans to finish its mission by the end of June 2014.

"Given the context in which the joint mission is operating, we will aim to remain flexible and responsive to developments on the ground, continually working toward the June 30 deadline to complete our mandate," Sigrid Kaag, Special Coordinator of the Joint UN-OPCW mission, said in a statement on Friday.

Source: Agencies, edited by website team