Russia to 'Calmly and Unhurriedly' Destroy 400 Tonnes of Mustard Gas in First Half of 2003

Russia will 'calmly and unhurriedly' destroy 400 tonnes of mustard gas during the first half of 2003, as security is the top priority. This announcement was made yesterday by Presidential Plenipotentiary for the Volga Federal District Sergei Kirienko in Saratov. As a Rosbalt correspondent reports, Mr Kirienko emphasised that this will be Russia's first step towards destroying its chemical weapons, as laid down in the international convention.

Today a meeting chaired by Secretary of the Russian Security Council Vladimir Rushailo will take place in Gorny. The meeting will discuss progress on destroying chemical weapons and safety issues at the destruction sites.