Matviyenko called for a thorough investigation of the incident with chemical weapons in Idlib
Moscow. April 16. INTERFAX.RU — Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko said that Moscow is strongly opposed to the use of chemical weapons, but insists on thorough investigation of the incident with chemical weapons in Idlib with the obligatory departure of experts into place and punishment.
“Russia categorically rejects the use of chemical weapons. But before you accuse someone — one side or the other, it is necessary to conduct a thorough investigation with the participation of the OPCW, independent experts from different countries, the UN,” she told reporters in Riyadh after a meeting with Chairman of the Consultative Council of Saudi Arabia Abdullah Al-Sheikh.
According to her, “with departure into place to place to confirm the fact (of chemical weapons), to determine who is to blame, and to take strict action against the perpetrators.”
She reminded that Russia, along with the US, were the initiators of export of Syria and the elimination of chemical weapons.
This was done, after which the OPCW and Washington confirmed that Syria’s chemical weapons devalentino Matvienkova of the Federation Council.
However, Matvienko drew attention to the fact that “some terrorist organizations are engaged in artisanal production of chemical weapons, periodically use it in different countries”.
According to her, April 7, Russia submitted to the OPCW “a request to conduct an immediate investigation and evidence gathering into the use of chemical weapons (in Idlib province)”.
Matvienko noted that the understanding of who used the chemical weapons, will help to avoid such incidents in the future
On the eve of Russian foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov after talks with his Qatari counterpart Mohammed al-Thani said that Moscow considers it necessary to urgently send experts of the Organization for the prohibition of chemical weapons (OPCW) to Syria to investigate the incident with chemical weapons in Idlib.
April 4, in the town of Khan Shaykhun (Idlib) there was a chemical attack, which killed nearly 100 people. Most Western countries and the Syrian opposition blamed it on the Syrian government. In Damascus, the accusations, assuring that never used chemical weapons on its territory.