AssetID: 52884006
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: US Close to Destroying the Last of Its Chemical Weapons Stockpile
Caption: US Close to Destroying the Last of Its Chemical Weapons Stockpile. Fox News reports that the United States is close to completing a longstanding campaign to eliminate its stockpile of declared chemical weapons. At the Blue Grass Army Depot, workers are reportedly getting ready to destroy the last rockets armed with a GB nerve agent, which signifies the end of a stockpile that once totaled over 30,000 tons. Last month, Army depots in Richmond, Kentucky, and Pueblo, Colorado, destroyed the last of their chemical agents stored at those facilities. Fox News reports that the move marks a defining moment for global arms control. According to the international Chemical Weapons Convention, which was put in place back in 1997, the U.S. has until September 30 to eliminate the rest of its chemical weapons stockpile. "One thing that we're really proud of is how we're finishing the mission." "We're finishing it for good for the United States of America.", Kim Jackson, Manager of the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, via Fox News. Military experts claim that destroying the munitions sends the message that chemical weapons are no longer acceptable on the battlefield. The message is meant for nations that haven't signed on to the joint agreement made by 193 countries. "It shows that countries can really ban a weapon of mass destruction. If they want to do it, it just takes the political will and it takes a good verification system.", Paul F. Walker, vice chairman of the Arms Control Association and coordinator of the Chemical Weapons Convention Coalition, via Fox News. THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
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