Chemical Weapons News – February 25

Syria ‘rebuilding’ chemical weapons capability – The Telegraph
Any suggestion that Syria is enhancing the offensive potential of its chemical munitions threatens to provoke a new round of hostilities with Israel as it will be treated as an additional threat to Israel’s existence…

A foundation for destruction – Richmond Register
Construction workers at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) achieved another milestone recently, as they completed the first major…

Authorization, Chemical Security Bills Top U.S. Lawmaker Agendas – Global Security Newswire
Top aides on the U.S. House and Senate Homeland Security committees revealed plans Friday for moving a Homeland Security authorization bill and legislation regulating security at the nation’s chemical facilities, while acknowledging some potential obstacles ahead…

Global Insights: Iraq Move Highlights Progress, Obstacles for Chemical Weapons Disarmament – World Politics Review
On Feb. 12, Iraq became the latest country to join the Chemical Weapons Convention. The country’s entry was especially important in light of the widespread use of chemical weapons by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein against his foreign and domestic enemies…

Global crisis weighs on chemical arms cuts-watchdog – Reuters
he world financial crisis may make it harder for nations to foot the multibillion-dollar costs of eliminating chemical arms stocks by a 2012 treaty deadline, the director of a watchdog agency said on Tuesday…

U.S., Russia Plans to Destroy Chemical Arms Imperiled by Crisis – Bloomberg
U.S. and Russian commitments to dismantle stockpiles of chemical weapons, which will cost taxpayers more than $20 billion, are challenged by the global economic slowdown, a top United Nations official said…