FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The United States has great confidence in the thorough and impartial work of the Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM), a team led jointly by the United Nations and Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), responsible for investigating confirmed uses of chemical weapons in Syria. Led by respected international officials, the JIM is executing its mandate with utmost professionalism and diligence.

“There have been recent attempts to cast doubt on work performed by the UN investigators. Some have even questioned their methodology, particularly as it pertains to the Khan Sheikhoun attack in April. All parties have acknowledged that chemical weapons were used in Khan Sheikhoun, and as reported by the OPCW again this week, the Syrian regime even provided its own samples of evidence. The JIM’s task now is to identify those responsible for using this banned weapon, and they have gone so far as to visit Syria several times to further their investigation. It’s inconceivable that any country would want to interfere with this impartial investigation. We call on all members of the Security Council to support the swift renewal of the JIM’s mandate,” said Ambassador Haley.

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