U.S. Army Non-Stockpile Chemical Materiel Program

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U.S. Army Non-Stockpile Chemical Materiel Program
Press Release  --  Tuesday March 23, 11:38 am ET

U.S. Army: United States Exceeds Completion Requirements Under
Chemical Weapons Convention Milestone for Production Facilities
Destruction Achieved 16 Months Early

        EDGEWOOD, Md., March 23 /PRNewswire/ - The U.S. Army
Non-Stockpile Chemical Materiel Program (NSCMP) and the Army and
civilian leadership at Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Commerce City, Colo.,
have completed a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to rid
the world of chemical weapons and the ability to produce such weapons.

        In December 2003, the United States achieved the significant
milestone of destroying more than 80% of the nation's original
chemical weapons production capabilities 16 months ahead of schedule
as defined by the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). This milestone is
a major CWC mandated milestone. This achievement occurred during
ongoing destruction work at the former Integrated Binary Production
Facilities at Pine Bluff Arsenal (PBA), White Hall, Ark. The United
States formally claimed credit for the milestone today in a report to
the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the
international agency charged with overseeing chemical weapons
destruction worldwide.

        Facilities destroyed by NSCMP include the former Pilot Plant
complex at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., (December 1999); the former
BZ Fill Facility, Pine Bluff Arsenal, Ark., (August 1999); and the
Phosphate Development Works, Muscle Shoals, Ala. (August 1993). BZ was
a former hallucinogen similar to the commonly known LSD. The Phosphate
Development Works made precursors for the production of sarin nerve
agent (GB) for use in production facilities at RMA. The pilot plant
made small quantities of a wide variety of toxins.

        Facilities destroyed by the U.S. Army's Program Manager for
Rocky Mountain Arsenal include the DC Production Facility (1995); the
Mustard (HD) Fill Facility (October 2000); the HD Distillation
Facility (February 2001); and the GB (sarin) Production and Fill
Facility (April 2003). GB is the non-persistent nerve agent sarin, and
DC was a precursor chemical used to make sarin. Mustard (HD) is a
powerful blister agent used widely in World War I.

        The Chemical Weapons Convention requires member nations to
eliminate their chemical weapons, weapons components and former
production facilities by April 29, 2007. The treaty provides specific
targets for destruction of chemical weapons, related chemical materiel
and former production facilities, as well as materiel designated as
non-stockpile chemical materiel, or NSCM. The target date for
achieving 80% destruction of former production facilities capacity is
April 2005. The U.S. met this target date 16 months prior to the CWC
target. The United States is one of 158 nations to have ratified the
convention.

        "This significant achievement shows the Army's commitment to
meeting our national and international obligations to eliminate our
legacy of chemical warfare programs in a manner that protects the
environment today and for future generations," says Lt. Col. James P.
Fletcher, product manager, non- stockpile chemical materiel. "We share
this achievement with the dedicated employees of the U.S. Army, the
Non-Stockpile Chemical Materiel Program, the Program Manager for Rocky
Mountain Arsenal and our contractors who worked tirelessly for more
than a decade to make this achievement possible."

        The United States began eliminating its former production
facilities prior to the Chemical Weapons Convention's entry into force
on April 29, 1997.

        Only two former U.S. production facilities remain, both in
various states of demolition. The plant that once supplied the
nation's supply of VX nerve agent at the Newport Chemical Depot in
Vermillion, Ind. is in the final stage of its demolition, scheduled
for completion in April 2007. NSCMP began a three-phase demolition of
the Pine Bluff Integrated Binary Production Facilities in 2003. This
project is also scheduled for completion in April 2007.

        The U.S. Army Non-Stockpile Chemical Materiel Program (NSCMP)
leads the nation in the development and utilization of advanced
technology to safely eliminate America's non-stockpile chemical
materiel in a safe, environmentally sound and cost-effective manner. A
division of the U.S. Army's Chemical Materials Agency, NSCMP
researches and develops treatment options and destruction plans that
comply with all federal, state and local regulations and encourages
public participation in its activities. For additional information
visit the NSCMP Web site at <http://www.cma.army.mil.

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