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Russian Munitions Agency

Convention Problems of Prohibition

of Biological and Toxin Weapons

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Victor Ivanovich Kholstov was appointed as Director General of Russian Munitions Agency
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Main International Obligations on Prohibition of Biological and Toxin Weapons



Geneva Protocol of 1925 "Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Similar Gases and Bacteriological Means" forbids the use of bacteriological means for waging war.

"Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction" (1972) determines the following commitments of States Parties:

- never to develop, produce, stockpile or otherwise acquire or retain: microbial or other biological agents, or toxins whatever their origin or method of production, of types and in quantities that have no justification for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes; weapons, equipment or means of delivery designed to use such agents or toxins for hostile purposes or in armed conflict (art I);

- to destroy, or to divert to peaceful purposes all agents, toxins, weapons, equipment and means of delivery specified in article I of the Convention, which are in its possession or under its jurisdiction or control (art. II);

- not to transfer to any recipient whatsoever, directly or indirectly, and not in any way to assist, encourage, or induce any State, group of States or international organizations to manufacture or otherwise acquire any of the agents, toxins, weapons, equipment or means of delivery specified in article I of this Convention (art. III);

- in accordance with its constitutional processes, take any necessary measures to prohibit and prevent the actions specified in article I of the Convention, within the territory of such State, under its jurisdiction or under its control anywhere (art. IV);

- to consult one another and to cooperate in solving any problems which may arise in relation to the objective of, or in the application of the provisions of, the Convention (art. V);

- to lodge a complaint with the Security Council of the United Nations in the case if the State Party to this Convention finds that any other State Party is acting in breach of obligations deriving from the provisions of the Convention; such a complaint should include all possible evidence confirming its validity (art. VI);

- to provide or support assistance, in accordance with the United Nations Charter, to any Party to the Convention which so requests (art. VII);

to facilitate the fullest possible exchange of equipment, materials and scientific and technological information for the use of bacteriological (biological) agents and toxins for peaceful purposes (art. X).

Decisions of the Second (1986) and Third (1991) Conferences on Review of the Convention actions aimed at increase of openess of works provide for confidence building measures. According to them all States Parties annually submit information on biological and biotechnological works, programmes and facilities, publications, conferences and national legislation to the United Nations Organization in corresponding formes. These measures are voluntary. Conferences on Review of the Convention actions (each five years) consider information on mentioned measures. Russia annually submits the information on confidence building measures to the United Nations Organization.

Decisions of the Third Conference (1991) determine the duty commitments of States Depositaries of the Convention (Russia, USA and the UK) on strengthening implementation of provisions of articles of the Convention in regard to agreed procedures of calling and holding of informal and official consultative meetings of States Parties to consider their questions concerning the implementation of the Convention.

Technical guidelines and procedures on opportune and efficient investigation of reports on possible use of chemical and bacteriological (biological) or toxin weapons (1989) envisages cooperation of State Parties with Secretary-General of the UNO in the investigations of possible use of biological weapon, including: to send experts for rendering of advisory assistance and performing of investigations, to give analytical laboratories for identification of agents, munitions, to train experts, to allot equipment for investigations.

Resolutions of the UN Security Counsil (1991-2000) on Control over Iraq disarmament (inspections, monitoring, embargo, export and other international tasks) oblige the States Parties to render cooperation and assistance in investigation of Iraq military activities on biological, chemical, rocket and nuclear weapons.