THE chemical weapons treaty is to be put to the test. The poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter has prompted the UK to demand a 鈥渃larification鈥� from Russia under article 9 of the 1997 treaty. It has never been invoked before.
Another never-used provision would let the UK inspect Russian facilities at short notice.
Last week, a UK judge ruled that the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons can take blood from the victims and have it analysed by two independent labs. Despite rising diplomatic tensions, Russia鈥檚 delegate to the OPCW has called this approach 鈥渓egitimate鈥�. Russia has also asked for samples.
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Vladimir Uglev, a former Soviet chemist who helped develop Novichok agents in the 1980s, has said traces in the blood would show if the toxin came from a batch his lab made 鈥� if it can be compared. To allow that, Russia would have to send samples to the independent labs. Nothing it has said so far suggests it will do so.
This article appeared in print under the headline 鈥淲eapons treaty gets its first test鈥�
