Meanwhile, the UK harshly violates the CWC, ignoring Russia's attempts to point it out. That was stated by the Russian OPCW mission. An emergency meeting about the Skripal case was held in the Hague today.
Anastasia Popova will tell us what was discussed there.
The UK's speech was rather predictable. The main message was that the conclusions by the OPCW experts match those of the UK investigators: Novichok (Newcomer) was used in Salisbury. Then, accusations started pouring on Russia, like it doesn't just have experience in poisoning people overseas, but also has the poison itself . Moreover, there is an entire government policy for neutralizing enemies using this method. As a proof, they used their favorite phrase, 'highly likely.' In response, the Russian delegation suggested it was also 'highly likely' that the UK had a motive to poison the Skripals.
Aleksandr Shulgin, Russian Permanent OPCW Representative: "Perhaps, Theresa May's cabinet is weakened by the whole Brexit business. Maybe they need the society to unite around their government. Perhaps, London is interested, during these tense times, in receiving support and solidarity from the other EU countries, which will facilitate an exit from the EU for the Foggy Albion".
The UK Ambassador also claimed that Russia was still developing chemical weapons. Novichok was alleged to be still produced, which would violate the Convention that our country joined in 1992. Apparently, Russia also refuses to answer questions that come down to 'Admit you're guilty.' In response, the Russian delegation has informed them that there aren't any developments on chemical warfare, and the weapons themselves were liquidated ahead of schedule in September 2017. This fact is confirmed by the OPCW inspections. Meanwhile, the US still produces chemical weapons. The formula was published for public access. Moreover, in 2015, they patented a bullet that, according to the document, can be filled with a Novichok-like chemical. However, neither the OPCW experts nor the UK investigators can determine the chemical's country of origin.
Aleksandr Shulgin, Russian Permanent OPCW Representative: "It's impossible, but they, contrary to reason, still say it's been confirmed that Russia is behind it. How else are we supposed to perceive it but as lies?"
How do they explain traces of the BZ toxin in the samples? This substance was used by the US Army back in the Vietnam War. Besides, the Skripals' poisoning picture matches the effect of this substance. The OPCW has confirmed its presence in the samples. However, they came up with their own justification.
Viktor Kholstov, the Director of the CWC Research Center: "The CEO, Ahmet Üzümcü and the Director of the OPCW Technical Secretariat Lab have confirmed that BZ was found in the samples, and they have provided a version that BZ was necessary for the accreditation of the selected and appointed labs. Why did they need to test the labs if they were already certified as the appointed labs? Why did they need to include a toxin from the 'List of Schedule 2 substances' into the samples? In the light of these events, we have focused on the clinical evidence of the Skripals' poisoning, which was different from Mr. Bailey's results, the Sergeant of the UK MOD Armed Forces".
According to regulations, the OPCW technical secretariat cannot reveal all the details of the classified report. London isn't giving its approval. They couldn't put Russia on the trial, concluded Russian diplomats the Executive Committee meeting. Even despite the fact that the US Ambassador had tried to interrupt our delegation's speech twice, Pakistan, Brazil, India, and South Africa have defended us. They urged everyone to start an independent investigation that the UK isn't ready for yet.
Anastasia Popova, Ilya Bernadsky, Vesti's European Bureau
