HOLY SEE RATIFIES CONVENTION BANNING CHEMICAL WEAPONS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 7, 1999 (VIS) - Last May 12, according to a communique published today, the Holy See ratified the Convention which bans the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical arms and envisages their destruction.

Following are excerpts from the statement made by Holy See Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Archbishop Renato Martino, when he presented the instrument of ratification to the U.N. secretary general's office:

"By ratifying the 'Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction', which was ... signed by the Holy See on January 14, 1993, ... the Holy See, in conformity with the nature and particular condition of Vatican City State, intends to renew its encouragement to the International Community to continue on the path towards a situation of general and complete disarmament, capable of promoting peace and cooperation at world level."

"While not possessing chemical weapons of any kind, the Holy See accedes to the solemn act of ratification of the Convention in order to lend its moral support to this important area of international relations which seeks to ban weapons which are particularly cruel and inhuman."

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