New York, NY, February 27, 1997...On the anniversary of the World Trade Center bombing, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today called on the U.S. Senate to ratify the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The League has long advocated a tough United States response to the threat of terrorism, as well as to the accumulation of weapons of mass destruction. The CWC provides another mechanism to make it more difficult for terrorists to acquire chemical weapons. It improves on existing U.S. law by expanding the ability to investigate and prosecute chemical terrorists even before chemical weapons are used.

The requisite 65 countries have already signed the treaty, which will enter into force on April 29. The U.S. must ratify the treaty by that time in order to be tied into the global verification mechanism and information-sharing network.

David H. Strassler, ADL National Chairman, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:

As we observe the anniversary of the bombing of the World Trade Center, we continue to witness attacks by disaffected cults, militias, and other ideologically driven terrorist groups. The Oklahoma City bombing and the nerve gas attack on a Japanese subway are only two reminders that this threat is not hypothetical.

The United States must continue to assert its global leadership in the fight against chemical and all forms of terrorism by ratifying this treaty.

We recognize that no treaty is foolproof. No one mechanism should lull Americans into a false sense of security. At the same time, our government must employ all available means to strengthen our ability to investigate and prosecute terrorists and acquisitors of chemical weapons. We cannot afford to miss a single opportunity to protect American civilians and troops from chemical attacks by enemies or rogue terrorist groups.

Any additional step to isolate and pressure nonsignatories will improve multinational cooperation, which is the lifeblood of a successful global offensive against chemical weapons and terrorism.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.