Russia Accuses US of Attempts to Undermine OPCW Authority

By فريق التحرير On Apr 16, 2018

The US is attempting to undermine the work of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) that was set to start the probe into the alleged chemical weapons attack in Douma the same day, the US, the UK and France launched a missile attack on Syria.

“The US tries to undermine the credibility the Fact-finding mission in Syria even before it arrives at Douma. Russia confirms its commitment to ensure [safety] and security of the mission and will not interfere in its work,” the Russian embassy in the Netherlands said on Monday.

Live from the @OPCW: the US tries to undermine the credibility the Fact-finding mission in Syria 🇸🇾 even before it arrives at Douma. Russia 🇷🇺 confirms its commitment to ensure safe and security of the mission and will not interfere in its work. pic.twitter.com/XFQ5x9anj5

— Russian Embassy in NL🇷🇺🇳🇱 (@rusembassynl) April 16, 2018

OPCW Mission in Douma
At the same time, the UK delegation to the OPCW said Monday that Russia and Syria had not yet allowed access to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ mission to Douma.
“OPCW arrived in Damascus on Saturday. Russia & Syria have not yet allowed access to Douma. Unfettered access essential. Russia & Syria must cooperate,” the delegation said in a tweet.

#OPCW Director Gen briefs Exec Council on his Fact Finding Mission’s deployment to 🇸🇾 to investigate #Douma chem weapon attack. OPCW arrived in Damascus on Saturday. Russia & Syria have not yet allowed access to Douma. Unfettered access essential. Russia & Syria must cooperate.

— UK Delegation OPCW (@UK_OPCW) April 16, 2018

According to the UK delegation, the OPCW director general has briefed the Executive Council on the Fact-Finding Mission’s deployment to Syria to investigate the alleged chemical attack.
The OPCW is holding a special session on Monday, discussing the recent escalation of the situation in Syria.
Last Saturday, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom launched strikes on a number of targets in Syria in response to an alleged chemical attack in the Damascus suburb of Douma.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the three countries fired over 100 cruise and air-to-surface missiles, most of which were shot down by Syrian air defenses.
The attack came the same day that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) mission was set to start the probe into the alleged chemical weapons attack in Douma, which the West had immediately blamed on Damascus.
sputnik