The OPCW is Now a Cartel: UK Assets Run the Chemical Weapons Division Through and Through
Let's move on to other topics. The Russian delegation commented on the outcome of the extraordinary session of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons as division and blackmail into voting. Now, the OPCW can declare who is guilty of chemical attacks without any evidence.
Darya Grigorova with the details.
Giving way to Boris Johnson, a number of diplomats are standing up. The British delegation expected the same unanimity during the voting, but instead, the organization became polarized. While Russia is backed by giants such as China, India, and South Africa; Britain, besides its NATO allies, is assisted by tiny island states. Their delegations flooded the hall on the day of the vote.
Alexander Shulgin, Russian Permanent Representative to the OPCW: "Western sponsors, I won't specify which counties, it's obvious whom I mean; are said to have paid for the tickets and hotels for the island delegations, organizing a sort of tourist trip to the OPCW for them, to ensure the outcome that Britain and the US need."
A supermajority (82 vs 24) was secured, the result fully complies with the regulations. Thus, Britain literally sold its project.
Alexander Shulgin: "They use different methods such as strong pressure, and in some cases, direct blackmail. We know that some countries, including our immediate circle, were blackmailed".
Such methods of working with the OPCW have long been known. In 2002, Jose Bustani, the first director-general of the organization, was removed from office. At that time he wasn't suitable for Washington before its attack on Iraq. Bustani remembers when John Bolton, now Trump's advisor, delivered him an ultimatum, hinting that Bustani's children lived in New York.
Today's meeting in The Hague not only expanded the powers of the OPCW but has hurt the system of international security. This was stated by the Russian delegation at a press conference.
— If the OPCW can name the guilty, who will carry out the sentence? How will this work?
Georgy Kalamanov, head of the Russian delegation: "Nobody has any idea, these phrases are incorporated in the decision. So far, I'd describe them as mere allegations. There are no such mechanisms as of now. The only body that has the right to make decisions, including imposing sanctions, is the United Nations Security Council."
Turning impartial experts into a punitive body which doesn't need a UN mandate is necessary to bypass Russia's veto in the UN Security Council. That's what our diplomats think. When asked about a possible Russian withdrawal from the OPCW, they answered cautiously: We'll draw conclusions only after analyzing the events that will take place before November. The transformation of the organization will begin only in the fall.
Britain demanded changes, referring to the hearts that were allegedly bleeding in the fight against chemical weapons. But it seems to be too smart for its own good. Among other things, member states may simply lose faith in the Organization, because no one has guaranteed that accusations won't be brought on the "highly likely" basis.
Darya Grigorova and Anton Chagaev for Vesti from The Hague, the Netherlands.