Albania is said to be most keen on accepting some or all of Syria’s chemical arsenal, according to the National Journal, an American magazine
TIRANA, Oct. 31 – Albania is seen as a likely candidate to destroy some or all of the Syria’s stockpile of chemical weapons, after its success in eliminating its own communist-era stockpile, according to reporting in a well-respected American magazine.
The National Journal reported this week that the United States and Albania are discussing whether Tirana can play a role in destroying Syrian chemical weapons, following Norway’s decision last week to decline the task.
There has been no official statement on the talks from Tirana or Washington, but the magazine reports that Washington has asked most West European allies to consider taking on the task. Albania, Belgium and France appear to be the most likely options.
Albania is said to be most keen on accepting some or all of Syria’s chemical arsenal, the magazine reports.
Albania in 2007 was the world’s first to destroy all of its chemical arms in verifiable fashion, eliminating more than 16 metric tons of mustard gas and other toxic agents. It did so during a six-month period. But Syria’s stockpile is much larger, experts said.
“Albania was described to me as enthusiastic” about playing a role in the upcoming process,” Charles Duelfer, who served in the 1990s as UNSCOM deputy chairman, told the American magazine. “It could easily be something that raises their stature.”
He added, Tirana “would presumably make good money from it. And it would show them as a good international citizen.”
Another source told the magazine Albania could be an “OK” option but its “lower technical and security expertise” could present problems.
In order to avoid military intervention from NATO, Syria publicly acknowledged its chemical stockpile and agreed to turn it over to international authorities. The tons of lethal toxins would likely be moved out of Syria by military aircraft, according to the National Journal.
