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CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT
Ad Hoc Committee on Chemical Weapons
Explanations on Document CD/605
(CD/CW/WP.114)
by the Chinese delegation
Original: CHINESE
16 July 1985
(CD/ CW WP.117)
I. Background
The Chinese delegation began to participate in the CD negotiations on a Chemical Weapons ban in 1980. Since then, after a period of familiarizing ourselves with the issues involved, we have come to realize that there is a major technical problem still awaiting solution. It is of great importance to the future Convention and by no means less significant than the toxicity criteria for "super-toxic lethal, other lethal and harmful chemicals" which have already been agreed upon. The problem is: how many tonp of chemical weapons stockpile should each State Party destroy in one phase so as to fulfill its obligations under the Convention and at the same time ensure that the balance of forces is not affected by the order of destruction? It seems very simple. For instance, each State could carry out destruction according to the weight of its stockpile and at an agreed percentage. The difficulty arises when the first step has been taken, for the stockpiles of States differ both in quantity and in quality and even mpre in composition. Under the circumstances, the above approach is feasible only if all the States concerned are willing to destroy a part of each kind of their stockpiled agents in each phase. However, in reality, for considerations of the locality of stockpiles, methods of destruction and convenience of operations, they would rather concentrate on the destruction of one or two kinds chemical weapons agents in their stockpiles in each phase. So it would be impossible to determine how much of its stockpile pach State should destroy in a given phase. The issue of destruction quantity or, in other words the timetable for destruction is not as simple as it may seem. If this problem is not solved technically, the political agreement on the destruction of chemical weapons will be threatened. Hence, in 1983, we began our work on using a single concept to reflect both the weights of CW agents and their varying toxicities. This is the concept of Stockpiled Equivalent of Chemical Warfare Agents, a brief account of whipch was given to eminent experts from other delegations at that time. We are grateful for their favourable responses.
II. The Document
1.In this new concept proposed by the Chinese delegation the key word is "equivalent". Just, as the varying explosive power of different nuclear weapons is measured in terms of tons of TNT, we now use the concept of the "equivalent of chemical warfare agents" to measure the toxicity potential of different CW agents, and for the purpose of destruction it is called the "stockpiled equivalent of chemical warfare agents".
2. We recognize the factors affecting the capability of chemical weapons are not limited to the quantity and toxicity of CW agents. Other facts also come into play as identified in the document entitled "Chemical and Biological Weapons and Their Effect of Possible Use" which was submitted by a UN Group of Experts to the Secretary-General in 1969. Thus, the concept and formulae contained in our working paper are based on general estimates, but we think, they would be adequate for the destruction of chemipcal weapons.
3. In the working paper, the term "chemical warfare agents" is used only for the convenience of discussion. Any eventual wording naturally depends on consensus opinion on the definition of chemical weapons. It is hoped that this will not block general acceptance of the new concept.
4. The section entitled "Illustrations of Application" is quite unnecessary for experts in this field. It is included, however, to enable politicians and diplomats to acquire a graphic perception of the feasibility of this concept.
5. Document CD/605 (CD/CW/WP.114) consists of the working paper per se and its annex. However, the annex is not the "Annex" referred to at the end of the working paper. The latter is meant to be part of the future Convention and should be more concise and compact. If the concept is acceptable to all, the Chinese delegation is willing to submit a draft Annex for consideration.
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