15. I am now reproached for fully funding in 2001 one single international cooperation programme which amounted to just 0.4 percent of the OPCW budget for that year, yet which meant a great deal to the many developing countries. This programme represents the vital link between disarmament and development that has been recognised and endorsed by the United Nations. Do Member States seek to further reduce the international cooperation and assistance programmes at the OPCW, which at present account for a meagre 6% of its budget?
16. Finally, I am blamed for wishing to keep all States Parties informed of progress in the destruction of Russia’s chemical weapons, and for suggesting that Russia’s utilisation of international assistance be scrutinised by the international community. If those are my ill-conceived initiatives, then I plead guilty as charged.
17. I believe that any abandonment of such sound policies will have extremely serious consequences for the Organisation and for you, the Member States. This is why I insisted that my fate should be decided by all of you, the States Parties, and not by one, or a few “major contributors”, which, in supporting the US draft decision, appear to share the US perception of my “errors of judgement”.
16. Finally, I am blamed for wishing to keep all States Parties informed of progress in the destruction of Russia’s chemical weapons, and for suggesting that Russia’s utilisation of international assistance be scrutinised by the international community. If those are my ill-conceived initiatives, then I plead guilty as charged.
17. I believe that any abandonment of such sound policies will have extremely serious consequences for the Organisation and for you, the Member States. This is why I insisted that my fate should be decided by all of you, the States Parties, and not by one, or a few “major contributors”, which, in supporting the US draft decision, appear to share the US perception of my “errors of judgement”.