|
|
History and Present Status of the Chemical Weapons
Virglerová, Kateřina ; Doležel, Ludvík (referee) ; Mika, Otakar Jiří (advisor)
In the first part, this bachelor thesis deals with the history of chemical weapons from the high antiquity to present. In the next part, the thesis concentrates on the international Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (1993) with a special focus on the current status of its implementation in the area of the destruction of chemical weapons and chemical warfare agents. The final part of the thesis is aimed at the current national regulations on the prohibition of chemical weapons and at the implementation of these measures in the conditions of the Czech Republic. The control activity of the State Office for Nuclear Safety is evaluated primarily and its possible improvement is suggested.
|
|
|
History and Present Status of the Chemical Weapons
Virglerová, Kateřina ; Doležel, Ludvík (referee) ; Mika, Otakar Jiří (advisor)
In the first part, this bachelor thesis deals with the history of chemical weapons from the high antiquity to present. In the next part, the thesis concentrates on the international Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (1993) with a special focus on the current status of its implementation in the area of the destruction of chemical weapons and chemical warfare agents. The final part of the thesis is aimed at the current national regulations on the prohibition of chemical weapons and at the implementation of these measures in the conditions of the Czech Republic. The control activity of the State Office for Nuclear Safety is evaluated primarily and its possible improvement is suggested.
|
|
|
Usage of chemical weapons during the First World War and an edification for the present
PRAŽÁK, Marek
This thesis focuses on the description and characteristics of chemical weapons used during the First World War (WWI) and the consequences resulting from it to the present. The introductory part tries to present a comprehensive description of chemical weapons, their classification, including a basic description of their effects on the human organism. Further on, the thesis characterizes individual chemical substances used in the battles of the WWI between 1914 and 1918 and it mentions the most important and key attacks with warfare chemical substances, including a description of the development and design of chemical ammunition used. The next section of the thesis is devoted to the protection against weapons of mass destruction and, in particular, various types of protection and I assess the impact of the use of chemical weapons during the First World War to the present time. Regarding the methodology side, I gathered information from specialized sources and tried to map out clearly and in general the given issues, also based on my own knowledge and experience. The thesis is based on two basic hypotheses: 1 The First World War showed that if necessary the warring parties would resort also to the use of banned means, including chemical weapons; 2. The First World War laid the building blocks of modern protection against chemical weapons and the protection against weapons of mass destruction in general. Both of the hypotheses have been proven to be true, which I try to document in my thesis. The first hypothesis shows that even if chemical weapons were officially banned at The Hague conference, the warring parties did not hesitate, if necessary, to produce, improve and use them against their enemies. The second hypothesis is confirmed by the fact that along with the development and improvement of chemical weapons and ammunition the protection against these weapons developed and improved as well as the detection of warfare chemical substances and alerting of troops when such weapons are used. The consequence of this is the existence of current chemical protection and the emergence of a new military branch - Protection against the Weapons of Mass Destruction.
|
|
|
The history of chemical wars
HORKÁ, Jana
Chemical weapons count among the weapons of mass destruction. In addition to chemical weapons, also nuclear and biological weapons belong here. Historically, chemical weapons rank among the oldest ones. Their initial steps were made in the distant past, even if they were not called so then. However, the initial utilization of chemical agents against human force is more connected with fire. It was used for protection against attacks of animals as well as people. Later on it was used to protect or capture towns and fortifications. The most extensive use of chemical weapons in war occurred during World War I. A large number of chemical substances was tested, the most important being phosgene. In 1917, German army used vesicant yperite near the town of Ypres. The development of chemical warfare agents continued also after the year 1918. During World War II, chemical weapons were practically not used. If it happened, then on the secondary fronts only. The main reason was the fear of possible retaliation. From 1939 to 1945, huge amounts of chemical warfare agents were made. Towards the end of the war this stockpile amounted to approximately 400 000 tonnes. After World War II, a new stage of chemical armament has begun. The greatest attention was concentrated on nerve agents, sarin, soman and agent VX. Chemical warfare agents have been further used also after the year 1945. In the not so distant past, Iraq used nerve-paralyzing agents and yperite during the Iran-Iraq War (1980 {--} 1988). Last but not least, the use of chemical warfare agents for terrorist purposes is to be mentioned. In January 1993, the global fight against chemical weapons culminated in signing of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction. Under this Convention, chemical weapons were to be liquidated until the year 2007. States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention which did not comply with this deadline have asked for prolongation of the final deadlines for chemical weapons liquidation until 29 April 2012. The question remains if even this prolongation will fulfil the goal of the Convention {--} to ensure a world without chemical weapons. Until the time when the stockpiles of chemical weapons are completely liquidated their possible misuse cannot be excluded. The states which have not joined the Convention as yet and own limited stockpiles of chemical weapons can use them.
|
guest ::
