Syrian Chemical Weapons Deadlines May Be Missed

That makes things a bit awkward

The leader of the agency overseeing the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons warned Monday that the deadlines for removing the chemicals from Syria might be missed, adding a new wrinkle to the delicate process.

The most lethal weapons, including mustard gas and components of sarin and VX, are to be removed by Dec. 31, but "it will be quite difficult to meet this timeline," said Ahmet Uzumcu, director-general of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

The remaining stockpile of less-dangerous chemicals are to be shipped out of Syria by Feb. 5, according to an OPCW schedule set under a U.S.-Russia agreement. "This is also quite an ambitious timeline; we don't know if we can meet it," Mr. Uzumcu said. "There might be a few days' delay."

Comments

[Joao]

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has been saying for months now that it doesn't dare go where the weapons are as they are still contested war zones.

One must wonder: If these folks are so interested in reducing chemical weapons, perhaps they ought to put some skin in the game.

In fact, they are concerned that if any PCW agents are harmed or killed by rebel forces, it will add credence to the regime's claims as to the intentions of the rebels.

Assad can only speak for his regime, not that of the rebels.