UN urges Damascus to cooperate with chemical investigators

The UN High Representative for Disarmament Angela Kane handed to Syrian Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari a letter to the Syrian Government containing the terms of reference of the mission that will conduct an investigation of the possible use of chemical weapons in Syria, UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said Thursday. The letter, addressed to Syrian Deputy Prime Minister, contains "the modalities for cooperation reflecting the standard provisions that would be required to ensure the proper, safe and efficient conduct of the technical mission looking into alleged use of chemical weapons," the spokesman told the daily press briefing. The next step, Nesirky added, is to "await the early affirmation from the Syrian Government on those modalities and arrangements following which we can expeditiously dispatch the team." He indicated that the Syrian Government confirmed to Ms. Kane "their desire to cooperate. They also confirmed to Ms. Kane that they are keen to proceed." Syria, France and the UK asked Secretary-General to investigate the use of chemical weapons in Khan Al-Asal in Aleppo. France and the UK have asked Ban to further investigate cases of chemical weapons use in Al-Tayba, near Damascus, last week, and in Homs last December. Ban said the investigation will focus on the case in Khan Al-Asal, but would keep in mind the other two cases. The Syrian government and the opposition traded accusations about the use of such prohibited weapons.