CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL AND TOXIN WEAPONS

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05455030
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: September 26, 2017
• Case Number: F-2012-01432
• Publication Date: January 23, 1985

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23 January 1985
CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL AND TOXIN WEAPONS
Issue for Decision
Concurrence with the interagency consensus update to the January 1984
conclusion that the USSR has violated its legal obligations under the
Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention and the 1925 Geneva Protocol.
Background
As a Party to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, the Soviet
Union undertakes not to develop, produce, stockpile or retain biological
agents or toxins, and weapons and equipment for the use of such agents or
toxins in hostile actions or armed conflict. The convention further prohibits
the transfer to any recipient of such agents, toxins and weapons.
The 1925 Geneva Protocol prohibits the use in war of asphyxiating and
poisonous gases and the use of bacteriological methods of warfare.
This issue has been raised with the USSR
channels.
Interagency analysis on this issue is complete.
in diplomatic
Finding of the January Report
"...the Soviet Union has been involved in the production, transfer, and
use of tricothecene mycotoxins for hostile purposes in Laos and Kampuchea
and...these toxins...were developed in the Soviet Union.... Trichothecene
mycotoxins have been used by Soviet forces in Afghanistan.... These
activities were judged to be in violation of legal obligations under
customary international law,...the Geneva Protocol of 1925 and the
Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention of 1975. The continued
construction at some of the suspect biological warfare research,
production, and storage facilities...have given rise to additional serious
concerns about Soviet compliance with the Biological and Toxin Weapons
Convention. The fact that mycotoxins have been widely used as warfare
agents.. .confirms the continued existence of a development, production,
and weaponization program...explicitly prohibited by the Convention. The
Soviet Union.. .has maintained an offensive biological warfare program and
capability in violation of its legal obligations."
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TAB A
CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL AND TOXIN WEAPONS
NSC Staff Recommendation: COncur with the interagency
agreement.
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Decision
The issue:
Concur with the interagency agreement to
update and confirm the January 1984 conclusion
according to the above conclusions
paragraphs.
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