Iran’s Ambassador to UN:

West Bears Responsibility for Saddam’s Chemical Attacks

Date: 12 July 2023 - 21:59

News ID: ۱۱۷۱۵۹

NEW YORK (Dispatches) -- Iranian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Amir Saeed Iravani has strongly criticized Western countries for supporting and helping the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, saying they should be accountable for what they have done.
Iran condemns the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere, and under any circumstances, Iravani told a UN Security Council session on Syria.
“The use of such lethal weapons is a flagrant violation of international law, constitutes a crime against humanity, and poses a serious threat to international peace and security.”
Iran has tragically been one of the primary victims of chemical weapons, he said, citing June 28, 1987 when the city of Sardasht endured a devastating chemical weapons attack, leading to the immense suffering and loss of innocent civilians, including women and children.
“Western countries, including France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, bear a responsibility for supporting and collaborating with the Saddam regime during Iraq’s war against Iran. Their complicity enabled the systematic use of chemical weapons against the Iranian people, an act that should not be forgotten.
“The silence or active participation of Western countries in these atrocities undermined the pursuit of justice and revealed blatant double standards. This also hindered the UN Security Council’s ability to fulfill its responsibilities and hold perpetrators

accountable for such heinous crimes,” he said.
Iravani said the Syrian Arab Republic remains steadfast in its commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
“In alignment with this commitment, the Syrian government has maintained a constructive and cooperative approach towards the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).”
The ambassador said the secretariat report confirms that all 27 declared chemical weapons production facilities (CWPFs) in Syria have been successfully destroyed.
“To ensure transparency and accountability, Syria has been regularly submitting monthly reports on the progress of chemical weapons dismantlement.”
In May and June 2023, Syria submitted its 114th and 115th monthly reports to the OPCW director-general, providing details of the activities carried out to dismantle chemical weapons and their production facilities.
Moreover, Syria has facilitated two visits by a reduced team from the Declaration Assessment Team (DAT) to Damascus this year. During these visits, the Syrian National Authority extended its full cooperation by allowing access to sites, collecting samples, and conducting interviews with witnesses.
In line with the suggestion made by the Syrian National Authority, a separate meeting with a higher-level DAT was held in Beirut at the end of the last month, demonstrating Syria’s commitment to engagement and cooperation.
Additionally, the Syrian National Authority has agreed to extend the tripartite agreement between the Syrian Arab Republic, the OPCW technical secretariat, and the United Nations Office for Project Services. This extension, effective until the 31st of December this year, aims to facilitate the tasks and activities of the OPCW in Syria.
“Through these actions, Syria is actively demonstrating its dedication to fulfilling its obligations and cooperating with the OPCW in the pursuit of the complete eradication of chemical weapons within its territory,” Iravani said.