NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY WELCOMES PROGRESS ON IMPLEMENTATION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION
November 4, 1996 No. 202
AXWORTHY WELCOMES PROGRESS ON IMPLEMENTATION OF
CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today welcomed the achievement of a major
step in implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The CWC enters into
force 180 days after the 65th ratification by a Signatory State. As Hungary
became the 65th country to ratify on October 31, 1996, the CWC will enter into
force on April 29, 1997.
"Canadians have long been active in negotiations aimed at controlling and reducing
weapons of mass destruction. The CWC is unique for being the first global
verifiable agreement to ban an entire class of weaponry. Canada signalled the
importance of the CWC by becoming one of the first countries to ratify the
Convention in September 1995," said Mr. Axworthy. "Ratification by the 65th
country marks an important step in the pursuit of international peace and
security."
Canada encourages other countries, particularly the United States and Russia, to
ratify the CWC before its entry into force on April 29, 1997, and to work for the
Convention's effective implementation.
The CWC, which opened for signature at the 1993 Conference on Disarmament, in
Geneva, bans the development, production, stockpiling, transfer and use of
chemicals and regulates the means of their destruction. Bill C-87, the Chemical
Weapons Convention Implementation Act, the legislation which implemented the terms
of the Convention, was approved by Parliament in June 1995.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Lappe
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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