Chile backs U.S.-Russia accord to destroy Syria's chemical weapons

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SANTIAGO, Sept. 17 -- Chile announced its support Tuesday for an agreement between the United States and Russia that calls for the elimination of chemical weapons in Syria.

"Chile hopes the Framework Agreement on the Elimination of Syrian Chemical Weapons will be a first step towards creating the conditions leading to a political solution to the conflict, which has caused thousands of victims and a humanitarian crisis of immense proportions," the Chilean Foreign Ministry said in a statement released Tuesday.

Chile, a signatory of the Chemical Weapons Convention, "notes the decision of the Syrian government to join the convention," added the statement.

Santiago asked Damascus to "guarantee broad and unrestricted access for the UN inspectors in their supervision to eliminate chemical weapons, since their use is absolutely unacceptable, under any circumstance, and are a great threat to international peace and security."

Also in South America, Uruguay on Monday welcomed the U.S.-Russia agreement, urging "the members of the United Nations Security Council, especially the permanent members, to undertake their responsibility and reach a resolution that will permit the implementation of this agreement."

Russia and the United States reached an agreement Saturday in Geneva, giving Damascus one week to present a list of its chemical weapons. The agreement also calls for a UN resolution to include the possibility of using force if the Syrian government fails to fulfill its commitment.

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