The existing capability to destroy old chemical munitions is inadequate. The processes involved in the dismantling and destruction of these weapons are well known, but the technical capacity to destroy them is limited. The destruction of old and abandoned chemical weapons and toxic armament wastes provides an opportunity to examine new and unconventional destruction techniques. The munitions in question must be handled by experts. Under the Chemical Weapons Convention it may be possible to establish bilateral agreements to share information about destruction technology.
International cooperation is needed to solve the problem of old and abandoned chemical munitions.
The CWC provides a framework for dealing with such munitions and represents a unique opportunity to develop cooperation between states which possess old chemical weapons. In most countries the military is responsible for dealing with old chemical munitions, including their storage and destruction. The national implementation obligation of the CWC requires a state's National Authority to assume responsibility for the state's declaration obligation. A party to the CWC must implement the necessary legal and administrative measures to ensure that its National Authority can fulfil this responsibility. The withdrawal of forces from former military bases in Europe necessitates the removal of toxic armament wastes and provides an opportunity to develop new decontamination techniques.