Let me begin by expressing my gratitude to Green Cross for the opportunity to speak at such an important event. As evidenced by the number and variety of experts, officials, and representative of public society gathered here today, the destruction of Russia's chemical weapons in a safe and ecologically sound manner is a matter of global significance.

The elimination of chemical weapons has particular meaning for Canada. It was against Allied troops -- including thousands of Canadians -- that the first modern use of Chemical Weapons occurred during the First World War. This is particularly relevant today, November 12, a day after Canada and many other countries celebrated the Armistice ending the First World War on the Western Front. The use of chemical weapons in World War I spawned the Geneva Protocol of 1925 where chemical weapons were "justly condemned by the general opinion of the civilised world". But sadly, the development and use of chemical weapons continued throughout the twentieth century.

Over the decades, dozens of countries around the world -- including Canada for a short time -- researched, developed and weaponised chemical agents of escalating lethality. Hundreds of thousands of tonnes of choking, blister, blood and nerve agents were produced and -- in too many instances -- used. And not just on the battlefield. The 1995 terrorist attack on the Tokyo subway system, which left 12 people dead and over 5,000 injured, left no doubt that terrorists would and could resort to the use of chemical weapons. Though chemical weapons were not used in the attacks of 11 September 2001, the events of that terrible day emphasized the importance of working together to prevent terrorists from obtaining chemical weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. This imperative gave rise to the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction. G8 leaders undertook at the Kananaskis Summit in Canada in June 2002 to raise $20 billion (US) to fund cooperation projects, initially in Russia, with a view to preventing the terrorist acquisition of weapons and materials of mass destruction and their related expertise.

Significant progress has been made by Partners on implementation of the Global Partnership since Kananaskis. A broad range of projects have been initiated and developed in all four priority areas (that is to say: destruction of chemical weapons, dismantlement of nuclear submarines, disposition of fissile materials and the employment of former weapons scientists), the US $20 billion target is being approached and as many of you already know, six new countries have joined the initiative (Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and Switzerland).

For its part, Canada has committed up to $1bn Canadian dollars (approximately US $750 million at current exchange rates) over the next ten years to the Global Partnership, which is an amount roughly equivalent to the US contribution in GDP terms. Like all members of the Global Partnership, Canada is moving quickly to implement its commitments and to develop concrete projects in all four priority areas identified at Kananaskis. In this regard, our Prime Minister announced in St. Petersburg in May of this year the first Cdn$149 million in funding to the Global Partnership, including $33 million (US $25 million) to support the construction of the chemical weapons destruction site at Shchuch'ye in Kurgan Oblast.

Canada has a strong interest and an on-going commitment at Shchuch'ye. Between 2000-2002, before the Global Partnership was formed, Canada contributed more than Cdn$5 million for the construction of high priority infrastructure projects at Shchuch'ye. Canada's contributions were applied to the construction of an access road to the site's industrial area, construction of power supply lines to supply electrical power for the destruction facility, and towards construction of a 105km natural gas pipeline. The gas line (also funded by Italy), will supply not just the Chemical Weapons Destruction Facility, but also many local communities. I was heartened to hear yesterday from Ms. Vepreva that even now it is possible to see work being done in constructing the gas lines that will connect to individual homes.

As evidenced by these contributions, Canada considers the destruction of Shchuch'ye's chemical weapons -- 5400 metric tonnes of nerve agent in some 1.9 million shells -- a key priority. Canada anticipates making a very significant and sustained contribution to this effort.

Key to Canada's ability to assist Russian chemical weapons destruction efforts under the Global Partnership will be conclusion of a bilateral agreement with the Russian Federation that satisfies the Global Partnership's Guidelines for New or Expanded Cooperation Projects. Canada and Russia are currently negotiating this agreement. However, Canada is determined to make a major contribution to Russia's Chemical Weapons Destruction effort before such an agreement is concluded. As you have already heard from our UK friends, Canada will make its initial Global Partnership contribution at Shchuch'ye - the $33 million announced by the Prime Minister for construction of a rail road -- through the United Kingdom's bilateral agreement with Russia. Canada and the UK expect to conclude our bilateral Memorandum of Understanding for the contribution here in Moscow next week.

Let me take a moment to acknowledge the United Kingdom. The UK's willingness to channel Canadian funds through its bilateral agreement with Russia is allowing Canada to make a significant contribution to Chemical Weapons destruction before conclusion of our own legal agreement with Russia. Canada and the UK have developed an excellent collaborative relationship on the chemical weapons destruction front, an approach, in our view, that exemplifies the spirit of the Global Partnership.

Canada is also very pleased with the strong working relationship that it has developed with the Russian Munitions Agency. RMA representatives -- from Director General Kholstov on down -- have been both helpful and accommodating in advancing Canada's chemical weapon destruction assistance program. We look forward to continued cooperation with the RMA in the months and years ahead.

The destruction of chemical weapons is a high priority for Canada under the Global Partnership. Not only will destruction of Russia's Chemical Weapons stores enhance international security and safety by helping to prevent terrorists, or those that harbour them, from acquiring chemical weapons, it will also help Russia to meet its Chemical Weapons Convention obligations, thereby strengthening multilateral non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament efforts.

While international support for Russian Chemical Weapons destruction is important, it must be stressed that, as noted yesterday by Mr. Kirienko, Russia, under the terms of the Chemical Weapons Convention, is responsible for meeting the costs of its destruction activities. In this regard, the increased level of Russian funding for Chemical Weapons Destruction in 2003 was a positive step forward. But far greater investments still will be required by Moscow if Russia is to meet the intermediate and final destruction deadlines established by the Chemical Weapons Convention. And if donors are to manage our own assistance programs effectively, we require a clear statement from Russia regarding anticipated multi-year funding levels.

On a related note, funding levels will no doubt impact Russia's overall destruction plan. Canada, like all donor countries, has a very direct interest in the destruction plan. We need to have a solid understanding of when, where and how the various components of the Chemical Weapons destruction architecture will be built in order to plan our own Global Partnership activities. For example, how much money we are able to commit at Shchuch'ye will depend on how long it will take to actually build the facility. As Mr. Gozal noted, obtaining funding on the donor's side requires detailed information to be provided to funding authorities, in Canada's case our Treasury Board. Without that information it is difficult for funding to be provided on time. We therefore look forward to receiving timely information from Russia concerning its practical plans for destruction.

The destruction of chemical weapons in Russia is a complex and daunting task. As the assembly here today makes clear, working together -- in ways that engage and include various governments, communities and people -- is the only way to meet the diverse challenges at hand. Common purpose, common resolve, resolute commitment to action and real partnership are required if we are to achieve our common goal of ridding the world forever of the scourge of chemical weapons. We have no choice but to succeed.