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Haley Stands by Allies, Slams Russia Following Release of Report on U.K. Nerve Agent Attack

There is 'nothing more troubling' than the use of weapon of mass destruction becomes routine

April 18, 2018

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Wednesday spoke to theU.N. Security Council following the release of a report on the nerve agent attack in Salisbury, United Kingdom, calling on members to condemn the use of a Russian nerve agent on British soil.

Haley thanked the U.K. Permanent Representative to the U.N. Karen Pierce for her update on events in Salisbury before discussing the broader danger of chemical weapons attacks of its nature and calling on the international community to take a firm stand against the use of chemical weapons.

"None of us will be immune from this threat unless we immediately start rebuilding our consensus against chemical weapons," Haley said.

Later in her remarks, warned against the danger of the use of weapons of mass destruction becoming "routine."

"There is nothing more troubling than the idea that the use of a weapon of mass destruction becomes routine," Haley said. "Last year it was Malaysia and Khan Shaykhun. Last month it was Salisbury. Last week it was Douma."

Haley also called out Russia specifically, referring to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons's (OPCW) independent report that confirmed the U.K.'s lab analysis that the agent used in the Salisbury attack originated in Russia.

"As we have stated previously, the United States agrees with the U.K.'s assessment that Russia is responsible for the chemical weapons in Salisbury. Whether that is in their direct act, or irresponsibly losing control of the agent, which could be worse, our support for our British friends and colleagues is unwavering," Haley said.

"We hope our colleagues on this council will join us, as they have before, in delivering a clear condemnation of the use of a Russian nerve agent on another member's soil," Haley added.

Haley warned her fellow ambassadors that the next such attack could take place closer to their own home and said it was a matter of "morality" to prevent such attacks form happening.

"This is a matter of basic morality. We cannot in good conscious allow this to continue," Haley concluded.