in which there has been frank debate of essential matters regarding the draft convention which is under negotiation. They have reflected the general interest in attaining a convention that would attract universal adherence and the impracticality of concepts such as that of "chemical-weapons-capable States". The question of verification has been the subject of particular attention at this session. It has been examined both in Working Group A and in the consultations held by the Chairman of the Committee on article IX of the draft convention. In this regard, we believe that, although certain details still need refining, the "rolling text" already contains the fundamental elements of an adequate verification regime. In this context, the initiatives aimed at seeking perfection in the verification regime could be interpreted as delaying tactics or lack of political will to conclude the negotiations on the draft convention. We were therefore surprised that the delegation of the United Kingdom should have stressed that we should not take the easy way out, that we should not follow the example of the Biological Weapons Convention, and that verification has the highest priority. Of course, verification is a basic element in agreements on arms limitation and disarmament, but the conclusion of negotiations on the total prohibition of chemical weapons should not be subject to the perfecting ad infinitum of the verification regime. Ad infinitum would mean in this case ad Kalendas Graecas. Verification of compliance is intimately linked with States parties' perceptions of security. The climate of detente and greater openness and transparency has already begun to have positive effects on our deliberations. CD/PV.566 9 (Mr, Marin Bosch, Mexico) as is shown by the growing acceptance of the concept of "challenge inspections". My delegation hopes that the bold initiative of the Chairman of 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the negotiation of a draft convention on the prohibition of chemical weapons, focusing on the issues of verification and the need for a balanced approach between the need for effective verification and the need to conclude the negotiations. The language used suggests that the discussion is taking place in a context of international relations and diplomacy, rather than in the context of economic or social issues.

**Category**
International relations, Science and technology