Russia-backed moves voted down, amid tussle over chemical watchdog powers

Diplomats are furiously working behind the scenes to win support for a measure giving the OPCW chemical watchdog teeth, or strike it down.

“It’s very intense inside,” one diplomatic source tells AFP.

Britain, backed by allies such as the United States and France, is leading a high-stakes drive to enable the independent OPCW to attribute blame for any use of toxic substances in Syria.

But they have met fierce opposition from Russia, backed by Syria and Iran.

Four amendments to the British proposal put forth by Iran, Venezuela, Kazakhstan and Belarus have already been decisively defeated Wednesday morning, the British delegation tweets.

“Belarus’ amendment to the Decision we and others tabled to strengthen @OPCW would have gutted it and made it impossible to identify the perpetrators of CW attacks,” British ambassador Peter Wilson says in a tweet.

“It was voted down. Only 23 countries voted for it 78 voted no,” he added, with the other amendments also being defeated by similar margins.

Iran’s amendment would have removed factual references to the @OPCW ‘s own Fact Finding Report on Syria’s use of chemical weapons

It was voted down

Only 19 countries in favour
79 against #CSPSS4 #NoToChemicalWeapons pic.twitter.com/xINetc1glE

— Peter Wilson (@PeterWilson) June 27, 2018

— AFP