Extension of Syria chemical weapons probe urged
WASHINGTON — The US called yesterday for the mandate of a UNled panel investigating responsibility for chemical weapons use in Syria to be extended, citing two attacks carried out earlier this year.
Western governments said earlier in the day that a presumed chemical weapons attack on the Syrian town of AlLataminah, that occurred just days before a similar atrocity left scores dead nearby, "bears the hallmarks of the Syrian regime."
"These events show how critical it is that the UN Security Council renew the UN-OPCW Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM), which has the responsibility of officially determining responsibility for such attacks, key to deterring them in the future," the White House said in a statement.
"We urge Russia to change course before the JIM expires, and we believe all responsible nations must vote in favor of extending this critical body," it said.
On Tuesday, Russia challenged the JIM's conclusion that the Syrian government used sarin gas on the town of Khan Sheikhun, which is located some 10 miles (15 kilometers) from Al-Lataminah, in an attack on April 4 that killed more than 80 people, including children.
Russia, Syria's ally, and the United States have put forward competing draft resolutions on extending the work of the panel after its mandate expires on November 16.