Syria US-Russian agreement

Highlights of the U.S.-Russian deal establishing a framework to secure and destroy Syria’s chemical weapons:

POINTS OF AGREEMENT

The U.S. and Russia agree to work together on a U.N. Security Council resolution that would ensure verification of the agreement to secure and destroy Syria’s chemical weapons stocks and remove its capability to produce such weapons. The resolution would come under Chapter 7 of the United Nations charter, which allows for military action. But U.S. officials acknowledge Russia would veto such a step, and they do not contemplate seeking authorization for the use of force.

The U.S. and Russia give Syria one week, until Saturday, to submit “a comprehensive listing, including names, types and quantities of its chemical weapons agents, types of munitions, and location and form of storage, production, and research and development facilities.”

The U.S. and Russia agree that international inspectors should be on the ground in Syria by November and complete their initial work by the end of the month. They must be given “immediate and unfettered” access to inspect all sites. The destruction of chemical-agent mixing and filling equipment must be completed by the end of November.

The U.S. and Russia agree that all of Syria’s chemical weapons stocks, material and equipment must be destroyed by mid-2014.

UNRESOLVED ISSUES

Despite Russia’s close relationship and influence with Syria, there is not yet any indication that the Assad government will sign off on the details of the agreement. It contains requirements that are above and beyond the normal criteria for countries bound by the Chemical Weapons Convention, which Syria agreed to join earlier this week under pressure from Moscow.

Although Russia has accepted the U.S. intelligence estimate that Syria has about 1,000 metric tons of chemical weapons and precursors, the two sides have not agreed on the number of sites where they are manufactured and stored.

Details about the composition of the inspection teams and their security must still be determined.

There’s no agreement on specific penalties for Syrian noncompliance.

Source: Associated Press