The United States remains committed to ensuring its
neutralization of Syria's chemical materials prioritizes the safety
of people, protects the environment, follows verification procedures
of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW),
and with applicable standards. All waste from the hydrolysis process
on M/V Cape Ray will be safely and properly disposed of at commercial
facilities to be determined by the OPCW. No hydrolysis byproducts
will be released into the sea or air. M/V Cape Ray will comply with
all applicable international laws, regulations, and treaties.
It is the responsibility of the Assad regime to transport
the chemical materials safely to facilitate their removal for destruction.
The international community is poised to meet the milestones set forth
by the OPCW, including the June 30 target date for the total destruction
of Syria's chemical weapons materials. The United States joins the
OPCW and the United Nations in calling on the Assad regime to intensify
its efforts to ensure its international obligations and commitment
are met so these materials may be removed from Syria as quickly and
safely as possible.
