Russia: Chemical Inspectors to Return to Syria Wednesday

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov announced on Tuesday that U.N. chemical weapons investigators are expected to return to Syria on Wednesday

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov announced on Tuesday that U.N. chemical weapons investigators are expected to return to Syria on Wednesday to continue investigating allegations of chemical weapons use there.

Ryabkov "We are pleased that our persistent calls for the return of U.N. experts to Syria for the investigation of other episodes have born fruit," Ryabkov said in parliament, referring to alleged incidents of chemical weapons use other than an August 21 attack.

“According to the latest information, the group ... is leaving for Damascus tomorrow, September 25,” he said.

Ryabkov said Moscow is not satisfied with how its work with the US on disarming Syria’s chemical arsenal is going on, saying “it’s not going in the direction it should be.”

“US officials compromised on chemical weapons, but they continue talking about how ‘the Syrian regime’, as they call it, is guilty of the use of chemical weapons without providing comprehensive proof. They constantly voice reservations that the plan to punish Damascus up to a military intervention is still in power,” he said.

Washington and its allies are pushing at the UN Security Council for a resolution which would support enforcement of the Syrian disarmament agreement under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter. The chapter allows use of military force to put a UNSC decision into power.

Russia opposes any wording of the resolution which would open the door for automatic punitive measures against Damascus. It also expects the Security Council to wait for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to prepare a roadmap for destroying the chemical weapons stockpile in Syria.

“Chapter 7 may only be mentioned as an element of a set of measures to be taken against violators in case the implementation of the OPCW decision would be hampered by refusal to cooperate, failure to fulfill one’s obligations or if anyone, whoever it may be, uses chemical weapons,” the deputy FM explained.