Chemical Arms Pact Ratification Delayed

A day after the U.S. Senate ratified the international chemical weapons treaty, Russia’s parliament postponed adopting the ban, saying the country cannot afford to destroy its stockpiles now. But the lower house of parliament, the Duma, said it was reviewing the treaty, the Itar-Tass news agency said. While the treaty provides funding to help countries eliminate their weapons, it may not be able to cover the $5 billion that Moscow says it needs for the task. The pact bans the use, development, production or stockpiling of all chemical warfare agents and requires the destruction of existing stockpiles over the next decade. It will take effect next week with or without Russia’s ratification.