What does the CWC involve?
As of 12 February 2001, 174 countries have signed, ratified or acceded to the CWC and only 19 countries have not signed. Of those latter, several are a concern (Iraq, North Korea), but some really have not put together the resources to either administer the CWC or do not feel they can afford the costs associated with membership in the CWC. Some of the added costs for CWC States Parties are listed by examples in Table 2. One of methods used to encourage participation in the CWC is allowing trade in restricted chemicals only between those states that have ratified the CWC. By signing and ratifying the CWC, smaller and lesser developed countries are able to get assistance both to set up their national authorities to administer the CWC and to protect themselves (equipment, resources, etc.) if they are attacked with or believe they are in danger of attack with CW. The CWC incorporates other innovations including • provisions for inspecting chemical plants and facilities storing or destroyin
