Number: RL32158
Title: Chemical Weapons Convention: Issues for Congress
Authors: Steve Bowman, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 
Abstract: The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) entered into force April 29. 1997. Congress retains a continuing oversight role in its implementation. CWC advocates continue to express concerns over so-called treaty-breaking sections of the implementing legislation, and lobby for their amendment. Of particular concern are provisions that allow the President to block challenge inspections, and that prohibit inspectors from sending chemical samples outside the United States for analysis. Supporters, however, believe that blocking a challenge inspection violates a basic premise of the convention, and that forcing inspectors analysis to be conducted within the United States undermines confidence in the verification regime. These provisions may also provide an excuse for other nations to adopts similar positions.
Pages: 17
Date: Updated November 14, 2003