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OPCW report on attack on ex-Russian spy vindicates us, says British envoy
New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) With the Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) confirming Britain’s assessment of a nerve agent used in an attack on a former Soviet spy and his daughter last month, British High Commissioner to India Dominic Asquith said on Friday that his country’s stand has been vindicated.
“No other explanation other than it was Russia who carried it out given the nature of the nerve agent which OPCW yesterday (Thursday) has confirmed that it was a Soviet era nerve agent of the very highest purity,” Asquith said during a media briefing here.
“There can be no other entity that could have made it.
“So, OPCW has confirmed what we have been saying and the Russians have been contesting,” he said.
The chemical attack was made on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter, Yulia, 33, in the British city of Salisbury on March 4.
The OPCW, which conducted its probe at the request of the British government, analysed samples collected by British authorities from Skripal, Yulia and a police officer exposed to the nerve agent and concluded the chemical was “of high purity”.
Its report came after the Western countries expelled over 100 Russian diplomats from their countries in response to the poisoning, straining relations between Russia and the West.
Western leaders said they agreed with Britain’s assessment that it was highly likely Russia was responsible for the attack. The Kremlin has consistently denied any involvement.
The report puts beyond doubt that it was highly likely Russia carried out the attack, people close to the investigation said, adding that the nerve agent could only be concocted in a very sophisticated laboratory by highly capable chemists who were familiar with the agent.
The deadliness of the agent depended on the dose and how it was inhaled. The OPCW was not tasked to identify where the nerve agent came from. The purpose was only to confirm the identification of the nerve agent used.
The full report by the OPCW, which was classified, mentioned the chemical structure of Novichok but did not use the name. The Novichok class of nerve agents was developed in Russia and its existence was first revealed in the early 1990s by a dissident scientist.
“In our view, there are really important questions the Russians have to answer,” Asquith said.
“From our perspective, it is really an important attack to take note of and not to allow to pass by without it being pinpointed.
“As we say, there are many questions the Russians have to answer. They have not answered. All they have done so far is to try and deflect the questions, to obstruct the investigation.”
Asquith said that this was exactly the same that Russia seemed to be engaged in the case of a reported attack in the use of nerve agent in Syria.
The suspected attack, denied by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government, was carried out last week, reportedly killing over 70 people.
India on Thursday said that it is waiting for the result of the investigation into the attack on Skripal and his daughter.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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