thus enhancing the security of all parties and of the world at large. As we see it, the purpose of a reliable system of verification would be to ensure compliance with the treaty and to build confidence. It must be effective as well as cost-effective and realistic. For this reason we support efforts to improve the monitoring of civilian chemical industry through ad hoc inspections so that the international community may be certain that no chemical weapons are being produced. Inspections on challenge that may take place at any time and at any place remain a last resort for settling problems relating to compliance with treaty provisions. Given the sensitive nature of this issue, it will be necessary to find prudent and well-balanced solutions. The proposal put forward in April by the Chairman of the Chemical Weapons Committee marks such an approach to this key political question. Negotiations should, at any rate, focus on the still open key issues, notably in the domain of verification. They must not get bogged down in technical details of secondary importance, which can be resolved even after the conclusion of the convention. Surely, it would be appropriate now to conduct the negotiations without any major interruptions to the point where the convention can be concluded. The Committee Chairman should receive the necessary mandate. What counts in the period ahead is the will to succeed. On balance, it would seem that the time has come: to reach a fundamental understanding on those basic obligations under the convention which have been more or less finalized; to map out the road for the solution of questions that remain open; CD/PV.561 page 12 to fix a time-scale for the final stages of the work. The forthcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly could be the proper forum for reaching 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the verification of a treaty related to chemical weapons, focusing on the importance of ensuring compliance and building confidence. The language used is diplomatic and formal, suggesting that the topic is of a political or international nature. The text also mentions the need for a "reliable system of verification" and "ad hoc inspections", which implies a focus on security and international cooperation.

**Category**
International trade, Industry