There Is No Confirmed Evidence That Saudi Arabia Has a Chemical Weapons
Being that we now have reports that the rebels received chemical weapons from the Saudis, and mishandled them to their own demise in the tunnels I thought to link a source to the contrary. With regards to our possible missile attack, I’m fine with waiting for really solid evidence before we strike, if we strike at all.
Overview Last updated: December, 2011
Although rumors surface occasionally that Saudi Arabia is interested in acquiring weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), there is no concrete evidence to support such contentions. Saudi Arabia has not expressed an interest in acquiring chemical or biological weapons, and has joined international agreements to ban such armaments. Rumors that Riyadh has explored procuring nuclear weapons have not been substantiated. No evidence suggests that Saudi officials are currently interested in developing a nuclear arsenal, and Saudi Arabia lacks the domestic infrastructure and physical resources required to develop advanced nuclear weapons domestically. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1988 and signed a comprehensive safeguards agreement in 2005. Since 1999, Saudi leaders have consistently supported the establishment of a nuclear weapons free zone (NWFZ) in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia does possess about 36 intermediate-range ballistic missiles that could be used to deliver unconventional warheads, although it has publicly declared that it will only use these missiles with conventional payloads. For all of these reasons, Saudi Arabia does not appear to be interested in developing — or seem to be developing — weapons of mass destruction.
Biological and Chemical
There is no confirmed evidence that Saudi Arabia possesses either a chemical or biological weapons program, or that Saudi Arabia intends to develop such weapons. Saudi Arabia signed and ratified the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention in 1972, and ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1996. A 2005 law bans the production, possession, and storage of both chemical and biological weapons within Saudi Arabia, and declares that any individuals found to be in noncompliance will face a fine of one million Riyals and prison for up to 20 years.
Source: “Saudi Arabia: Weapons of Mass Destruction Capabilities and Programs,” James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, http://cns.miis.edu.
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