Dual chemicals in Fiji are here to stay says the Permanent Secretary for Defense, Jale Fotofili.
He made the comments while opening the National Chemical Weapon Convention in Nadi today (Thursday July 8, 2010).
“In Fiji a number of companies are reported to have imported chemicals, which have a dual use and are there fore regulated under the chemical weapons convention.
“A number or representatives of those companies are in this meeting,”he said.
Mr Fotofili added that because of the existence of such dual use chemicals in Fiji, the chemical weapons convention dictates that we must monitor the activities of our industries using such chemicals.
“This is one of the reasons why are here today deliberate on this issue on the next two days,” he said.
Chemical weapons and efforts of chemical dis-arment are not something new given that since the 1600’s man have been developing chemicals means of waging war.
“In each generation, substances are developed that are even more dangerous and deadly than was had preceded them on matter pertaining to national security and public order.”