OPCW Fact Finding Mission: “Compelling Confirmation” That Chlorine Gas Used as Weapon in Syria
The fact-finding mission (FFM) appointed by the OPCW Director-General to examine alleged uses of chlorine gas as a weapon in Syria has found information constituting “compelling confirmation” that a toxic chemical was used “systematically and repeatedly” as a weapon in villages in northern Syria earlier this year.
In its second report that includes key findings, the Mission states that “the descriptions, physical properties, behaviour of the gas, and signs and symptoms resulting from exposure, as well as the response of patients to the treatment, leads the FFM to conclude with a high degree of confidence that chlorine, either pure or in mixture, is the toxic chemical in question.”
The report says chlorine was used in attacks on the villages of Talmanes, Al Tamanah and Kafr Zeta, all located in northern Syria. In May this year, the FFM had attempted to visit Kafr Zeta to gather on-site evidence in the aftermath of an alleged use there but was prevented from doing so when the convoy was attacked. The FFM then decided to carry out witness interviews in a safe location outside of Syria.
The FFM’s report presents the key findings from dozens of interviews with victims, physicians, first responders and eyewitnesses to the attacks, together with a considerable amount of documentation such as video, medical records and other evidence collected since the publication of the FFM’s first report in mid-June.
Following the establishment of the FFM in late April 2014, there was a marked reduction in reported chlorine attacks in the months of May, June and July. But there was a spate of new allegations in August. The Director-General has asked the FFM to continue its work.
As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW oversees the global campaign to permanently eliminate these weapons. Since its entry into force in 1997 the Convention has become the fastest growing arms treaty in history with 190 States Parties, and more than 82%Â of all declared chemical arsenals have already been destroyed under OPCW verification. For these unprecedented achievements, the OPCW was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2013.
Diplomat Magazine was pleased to cover this warmth reception yesterday September 9th on the occasion of the 23nd Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan, offered by H.E. Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the Kingdom of the Netherlands Mr. and Mrs. Vladimir  Norov.Â
Her Excellency Ms. Adia Sakiqi is the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Albania to the OPCW in The Hague.
Adia Sakiqi (b.1977) was born in Tirana, Albania. She read Philosophy and Political Science at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium and holds a Master’s Degree in Philosophy (2003) and in Public Administration – EU Policy (2004).
Adia Sakiqi started off her career as simultaneous court interpreter for ICTY (2002-2004), UN in The Hague, to later combine her communication career also with high level simultaneous interpretation assignments for European Commission, European Parliament and Council of Europe (2008-2012). Adia Sakiqi continued her career in communication and diplomacy at the Albanian Mission to EU in Brussels (2004-2008).
Later, she worked for civil society organization in the field of migration, in Flanders and Brussels and is a political and social activist (2008-2010). Adia Sakiqi was the G-Consultancy representative in Brussels (2010-2014) working as communication consultant on Western Balkans, EU Affairs, International Relations as well as political speech writer and public speaking consultant.
In September 2014, Ms. Adia Sakiqi joined the Albanian Foreign Service and is actually holding the position of the Ambassador of Albania to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Albania to the OPCW in The Hague.
Mid-July 2014, H.E. Ambassador Gilles Tonelli representing His Serene Highness The Sovereign Prince of Monaco organised a reception at the verily princely Residence of Monaco to celebrate the enthronement of H.S.H. Prince Albert II back on 12 July 2005.
The Embassy of the Principality of Monaco is based in Brussels yet accredited to all three Benelux countries. Furthermore the mini-state has three honorary general consulates located in The Hague, Amsterdam as well as Rotterdam.
The reception was extremely well-attended by heads of missions to the Benelux countries, to the EU, NATO and the international organisations in The Hague and Brussels.
His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco paid an official visit to The Netherlands in May 2014 to open an exhibition about her late mother, Princess Grace at Het Loo Palace in Apeldoorn. Thereafter he was welcomed by Their Majesties The King and Queen of the Netherlands, Prime Minister Rutter and the Chairpersons of the States-General. Sovereign Prince Albert II is Head of the House Grimaldi which has reigned with but a few interruptions over Monaco since 1297.
Farewell reception Ambassador Hungary.
Â
His Excellency Mr. Gyula SĂĽmeghy, Ambassador of Hungary, and his charming wife Klara hosted a farewell reception at their residence in Wassenaar. After having served his country for almost four years Ambassador SĂĽmeghy will return to Hungary. The Hungarian-themed reception, with Hungarian food, wine and live music, was well attended. Former Prime Minister Balkenende was among the guests as were many members of the Diplomatic Corps and International Organizations. After returning to his home country Ambassador SĂĽmeghy will start his new job at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Budapest.Â
On the occasion of Embassy Festival The Hague, celebrated Saturday Sept 6, Arthur Pronk and Rick van Oosterhout, directors of this extraordinary event, offered a High Tea in front of Hotel Des Indes on Lange Voorhout.
The Embassy Festival counted with a record of diplomatic missions participating in the 2014 version, achieving 35% increase of registrations in relation to last year. Ambassador Ibarrola-Nicolin from Mexico was invited to address a welcome speech amongst diplomats, guests and distinguished authorities from MINBUZA, such as the new Director Cabinet and Protocol, Mr. Roelof van Ees.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko6pvXuiY3wThis years’ festival was fully supported by Diplomat Magazine, which will continue to be a very close sponsor of Embassy Festival for years to come. Diplomat Magazine received many visitors and ambassadors in its orange stand, sponsored by Carlton Ambassador Hotel, Diplomatic Card and AAAHotel.  Diplomat Magazine is very grateful to Mr Pronk and Mr. van Oosterhout for taking into account our publication to co-organize the High Tea.
Direct from the Representation of the European Commission. Extra money for EU agricultural promotion to mitigate impacts Russian boycott.
The European Commission proposes additional EUR 30 million available from EU funds for the promotion of European agricultural products in 2015.  That money is in addition to the 60 million already provided for in the agricultural budget. Because there is co-financing system,  there are 60 million made ​​available for special promotions.
European Commissioner Dacian Ciolos (Agriculture and Rural Development) has just announced this during a press conference in Brussels. The measure is designed to mitigate the effects. on Russian boycott of a number of EU agricultural products.
By Barend ter Haar
It might seem premature to discuss what to do when the current crisis in Ukraine is over, but it would be shortsighted not to do so. In a Policy Brief for the Clingendael Institute (Lessons of the MH17 disaster, September 2014[1]) I have suggested some lessons to be drawn from the downing on 17 July 2014 of a civilian plane above eastern Ukraine, in this column I will point to the pitfalls that we should try to avoid in the aftermath of the current crisis.
Do not return to short-term policy making
After the end of the cold war many politicians were tempted to believe that they could afford to concentrate on short term national interests and neglect geo-strategic challenges. It took the MH17 disaster to wake these politicians from their naĂŻve dreams. They should not fall asleep again.
Do not squander this opportunity
The current crisis does not only presents problems, but also an opportunity not to be missed. A significant majority of the Ukrainian population, also in the east of the country, wants Ukraine to become a European style democracy. The heavy-handed Russian interference has boosted Ukrainian national feelings and the resolve to make Ukraine into a functioning democracy. This provides European democracies with a historic opportunity to help Ukraine to fulfil this ambition.
A similar opportunity presented itself twice, first in 1991 when the Soviet Union broke apart and again at the time of the Orange Revolution in 2004, but twice Western democracies missed the opportunity by reacting halfheartedly. They thereby played into the hands of corrupt private interests and Russian interests. This time the opportunity should not be squandered.
Do not copy Russian thinking but use your own strength
The Russian use of armed forces, after occupying parts of Georgia and Ukraine, to support the rebels in eastern Ukraine has forced European governments to reconsider whether they can continue to economize on their defence budgets. Rightly so, but they should not be seduced by Russia to change the Ukrainian crisis into a military conflict. At the bottom of the current crisis lie corruption and lack of good governance. Russia has very little to offer in these fields, but Europe has and the great majority of the Ukrainian population knows that. It is not by Russian hard power, but by western soft power that a sustainable future for Ukraine can be built.
Do not let the “domestic” ministries off the hook
Transforming Ukraine is in essence a matter of domestic policy. The expertise to help Ukraine to set up good education, proper health care, a functioning system of justice etcetera is to be found with the so-called domestic ministries of other European countries. They should not be given a chance to avoid their responsibility.
This years’ festival was fully supported by Diplomat Magazine, which will continue to be a very close sponsor of Embassy Festival for years to come.
Diplomat Magazine received many visitors and ambassadors in its orange stand, sponsored by Carlton Ambassador Hotel, Diplomatic Card and AAAHotel. Â Diplomat Magazine is very grateful to Mr Pronk and Mr. van Oosterhout for taking into account our publication to co-organize the High Tea.
This years’ festival was fully supported by Diplomat Magazine, which will continue to be a very close sponsor of Embassy Festival for years to come.
Diplomat Magazine received many visitors and ambassadors in its orange stand, sponsored by Carlton Ambassador Hotel, Diplomatic Card and AAAHotel. Â Diplomat Magazine is very grateful to Mr Pronk and Mr. van Oosterhout for taking into account our publication to co-organize the High Tea.
