State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki could not confirm that Syria has indeed declared all of their chemical weapons stockpiles negotiated in last fall's Geneva deal Tuesday afternoon.
Psaki reiterated chlorine, the suspected chemical used in a recent attack perpetrated by the Assad regime, was not considered a "dangerous chemical" and thus left out of the deal crafted by Secretary Secretary of State John Kerry.
The reporter pressed Psaki on whether the declared chemicals in the deal encompass the "entire universe" of Syria's toxic chemical stockpiles. The State Department spokeswoman deferred, telling the reporter "we're continuing to explore this" and she would "check with the team and see if there is more that I can convey."
With respect to investigating the possible chlorine attack, Psaki could also not guarantee Syria will offer the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) timely access to conduct an investigation. "Those are unknowns," she said.
Full exchange:
REPORTER: Jen, just a couple of things. So I'm clear, chlorine is not included in those -- in the sum total of the most dangerous chemicals, of which 86 percent have been removed.
JEN PSAKI: Correct.
REPORTER: OK. Second, are you certain that the declared stocks of the most dangerous chemicals represent all of Syria's such stocks, or is it possible they didn't declare some?
PSAKI: Well, on the first question I think I answered it. And just to repeat, the chemical weapons convention prohibits the use of any toxic chemicals, so including chlorine.
REPORTER: I get that. I get that. I get that.
PSAKI: In terms of -- what we're talking about here in the declared chemicals. Obviously we continue to explore this. I don't have any other additional updates. I will talk to our team and see if there's some we can share.
REPORTER: So you can't say whether you're confident or certain that the declared chemicals indeed captures the total universe of those chemicals?
PSAKI: I will check with our team and see if there is more that I can convey. I certainly understand your question. Go ahead -- (inaudible) --
REPORTER: And then -- I'm sorry, one more, if I may. How -- two more.
How long do you think it will take the OPCW to establish the facts of this incident? And secondly, do you believe that the OPCW will receive unimpeded access to be able to do this on the ground?
PSAKI: Well, the second question you asked is a big factor in answering the first question. So the time required to conduct any investigation of alleged CW use would be dependent on the circumstances surrounding the investigation, not least of all the cooperation of the host country. And again, they have not announced -- obviously, they would be -- broadly speaking, they would be a key player, in all likelihood, in any investigation. They have not announced that. They are pursuing that. We're in touch with them, as are a number of international partners, and we're continuing to work closely.
REPORTER: But -- so in other words, you can't say how long it might take, and you can't say whether you are optimistic, given the agreement with Syria and Russia, that the Syrians will in fact provide access? You just -- those are unknowns?
PSAKI: Well, I -- those are unknowns. That's exactly correct.