Title:  "US Reiterates Support for Biological Arms Convention." Statement by ACDA Deputy Assistant Director Edward Lacey to the closing session of the March 30-April 10 meeting of government experts examining possible verification measures for the convention. (920410)

Translated Title:  Les E- et la convention sur les armes biologiques. (920410)
Date:  19920410

Text:
U.S. REITERATES SUPPORT FOR BIOLOGICAL ARMS CONVENTION

(Text: Lacey statement to government experts) (650) Geneva -- The United States believes "very strongly" in the 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) and looks forward to the "complete elimination" of all types of biological weapons, a U.S. arms control official said April 10.

In a statement to the closing session of the March 30-April 10 meeting of government experts examining possible verification measures for the convention, U.S. delegate Edward Lacey also urged implementation of the convention's enhanced confidence-building measures.

Lacey, deputy assistant director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA), said the discussions in Geneva had been "serious and constructive" in seeking ways to verify the existence of illegal biological agents.

Following is the text of Lacey's statement to the ad hoc group of government experts:

(begin text) I take the floor today not only as the representative of the United States, but also as one of the depositaries for the BWC.

It is appropriate to pause for a moment to acknowledge that 20 years ago today the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction was opened for signature.

This convention represented a real turning point in the modern age. Its negotiators were determined, in the words of the convention's preamble," to exclude completely the possibility of biological agents and toxins being used as weapons." It was, as noted by then President Nixon, indeed the "first international agreement since World War Two to provide for the actual elimination of an entire class of weapons from the arsenals of nations."

The viability of the convention is evidenced in part by the ever-growing number of parties. The United States continues to believe very strongly in the objectives of the Convention and in the international standard it represents as an essential contribution to international peace and security. The success of this convention is reinforced by the vigor of the interest shown by other nations, as demonstrated by their own efforts at implementation, and by the serious and constructive discussions we have had here over the past two weeks. The success of the third review conference, which inter alia mandated this meeting to identify and examine potential verification measures from a scientific and technical standpoint, serves as testimony to the interest and commitment to the convention. The BWC today provides the only comprehensive international standard with respect to biological and toxin weapons.

As we look toward the next twenty years, it is appropriate to: -- Reaffirm the value of the convention as a significant and enduring international norm against biological and toxin weapons;

-- Re-emphasize the importance of full implementation by all parties to the provisions of the convention;

-- Rededicate our efforts to making the basic prohibition against biological and toxin weapons as universal and effective as possible; and

-- In that context, make all efforts to secure universal adherence to the BWC.

We will do our part, and we call on others to do the same. The implementation of the enhanced confidence-building measures agreed at the third review conference is an important step. The test of the success of these efforts rests with all states parties living up to their commitment to participate fully. We look forward to the first annual national submissions due just five days from today.

Mr. Chairman, The United States looks forward to the next 20 years, working with the other states parties in exploring further steps to bring us closer to our ultimate goal of the complete elimination of biological and toxin weapons from the face of the earth. It is unfortunate that the dangers this convention sought to prevent still loom large. This makes our rededication on this twentieth anniversary all the more important.

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