



The reactions of Greek citizens against the destruction of Syria’s chemicals weapons in the Mediterranean Sea with the method of hydrolysis are escalating as residents of Crete are worried about the environmental consequences.

The Cretan residents have set up a coordinating committee opposing the chemicals destruction. The members of the committee are planning to block the NATO naval base in Souda, near Chania, in western Crete. They claim that by blocking the NATO naval base, support vessels to the chemical destruction operation will not be able to sail in the area.

In addition, fishermen from Chania are planning a protest at sea to stop the operation and highlight the dangers of the destruction of chemicals in the Mediterranean.

It is estimated that 520 tons of chemical weapons will be destroyed in the Mediterranean between Italy, Malta and Greece. The waste will be transported in countries of Europe for total destruction.

The Syrian Chemical arsenal was transferred from the Danish vessel Ark Futura to the American Cape Ray where the chemicals will be destroyed within the next weeks.

The operation took place in the port of Gioia Tauro in Calabria under the surveillance of officials of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

According to Pentagon, the chemicals will be neutralized in the Cape Ray with the method of hydrolysis within the next two months while the hazardous byproducts will be transferred for further processing in special establishments in Germany and Finland.



