Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Entry into Force of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) for Libya

February 6, 2004

The Government of Japan welcomes the entry into force of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) for Libya on February 5 (Thu) as a significant step forward in facilitating Libya's reintegration into the international community and for the advancement of disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The CWC entered into force for Libya today (February 5), 30 days after Libya deposited the instrument of accession to the CWC on January 6. It obligates Libya not to develop or produce chemical weapons, and to accept verification measures including on-site inspections by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Japan expects Libya to work closely with H.E. Mr. Rogelio Pfirter, Director-General of the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW, who is currently visiting Libya, and the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW, and to sincerely fulfill CWC obligations including the ban on the development and production of chemical weapons and destruction of chemical weapons that are already in existence.
Japan urges States not party to the CWC including North Korea to accede to the CWC without delay.

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