France to Introduce Resolution Aimed at Dismantling Syria's Chemical Arsenal
PARIS—France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Tuesday that Paris was preparing to introduce a resolution at the United Nations Security Council calling for an international inspection and the dismantling of Syria's chemical-weapon arsenal.
Mr. Fabius, speaking at a news conference, said the draft resolution would establish "consequences" for the regime if it fails to comply with the proposed program. He didn't name the consequences. He said the proposed resolution would also invoke Chapter 7, a clause that allows member states to use all possible means to enforce a resolution. "We don't want to accept any delay tactics," Mr. Fabius said. "All options remain on the table."...........
France's push to dismantle the chemical arsenal under Chapter 7 could face resistance. European diplomats had secretly proposed a similar resolution to Moscow weeks ago, according to a French official. However, Moscow rejected the proposal, because Chapter 7 makes the resolution binding. The French official said Paris considered its terms for the draft resolution "nonnegotiable."
France's proposed resolution comes after Russia said it is preparing a plan for Syria to hand over its stockpile of chemical weapons and put it under international control.
"Syrians must take immediate commitments," Mr. Fabius said.
Russia, one of Syria's closest allies, and one that wields veto power on the Security Council, has blocked previous resolutions aimed at punishing the Assad regime...............