The Chemical Weapons Convention with selective index.

This publication reprints the full text of the Chemical Weapons Convention, using the pagination of the certified true copy, together with a selective index. The intent of the Convention is to halt development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons, and to require destruction of weapons and production facilities. It has been in effect since January 13, 1995, by which time 157 of 192 possible signatory nations had ratified (65 were required for implementation). Debate over ratification is scheduled in the US Senate in 1995, but approval is uncertain because of the Convention's stringent verification procedures that apply to chemicals used commercially as well as in weapons, danger that reporting and inspection will be costly to US firms, and fear that Russia's data declarations are incomplete. The text is clearly printed with easily seen headings and subheadings and a table of contents. The index (34 pages) uses topical headings with subheadings that point to sections of the agreement, and is based on a 66-page Index to the Chemical Weapons Convention, prepared by A. Walter Dorn (1993). The Convention will no doubt appear in UN Treaty Series, but without the selective index, and as part of a set that in most libraries will not circulate. This separate version is recommended for academic collections in international affairs and business. L. Treff; University of Colorado at Denver