RICHMOND REGISTER

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Published: June 27, 2006

Weapon destruction remains top priority

Recent bill amendment passes Senate

Ronica Shannon
Register News Writer

 

An amendment to the Defense Authorization bill passed the full Senate Monday, which will keep the disposal of chemical weapons, such as those stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot, on the priority list of the Department of Defense.

 

The amendment, authored by Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO), was co-sponsored by Senators from Colorado, Oregon, Indiana and Kentucky, including Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY). It emphasizes the need to pursue compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention deadlines, now at April 2012, or ’Äúas soon thereafter as possible.’Äù

 

The amendment also directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a comprehensive schedule to Congress annually and to ’Äúmake every effort to ensure adequate funding to complete the elimination of the United States Stockpile.’Äù

 

’ÄúThe people of Madison County can rest assured that my goal remains the same and that is to have the chemical agents at the Blue Grass Army Depot disposed of as safely and efficiently as possible,’Äù McConnell said.

 

The Berea-based Chemical Weapons Working Group (CWWG) serves as an advocate for safe weapons disposal and a watchdog on chemical demilitarization funding and schedule issues.

 

Recently, the CWWG revealed more Pentagon information showing that the program continues to lag in compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention and is not being adequately funded.

 

’ÄúThis amendment is a welcome sign from the Senate,’Äù said Craig Williams, CWWG Director. ’ÄúIt reflects the increased attention to this program and will hopefully put a stop to the annual cutting of funds within the President’Äôs budget request or committees of jurisdiction in Congress, as appeared in the House Defense Appropriations Bill this year.’Äù

 

The information from the Pentagon also is failing to depict accurate deadlines for incineration, Williams said.

 

’ÄúWhat is just as disconcerting is that the Army's continues to misrepresent the completion dates to local communities,’Äù said Williams. ’ÄúHopefully, with the direction to provide annual schedules, contained in the amendment, this kind of misinformation will cease.’Äù

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.