Chemical weapons inspector sacked

Bustani leaves his office building in The Hauge. He was dismissed from his job following a U.S.-led vote.

THE HAGUE, The Netherlands -- The head of the world chemical weapons regulatory body has been dismissed.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons voted 48-7 in favour of the U.S. proposal dismissing director general Jose Bustani. A further 43 nations abstained.

In a letter to OPCW members before the vote Bustani blamed "one member state" for plotting his dismissal.

As he left the conference hall he told AP Television News: "I am out of a job."

The U.S. State Department has accused Brazilian Bustani of threatening inspections in five unspecified countries "for political ends."

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It also said Bustani had a "habit of refusing to consult" with member states, such as when he proposed anti-terrorism measures after the Sept. 11 attacks without first approaching the United States.

But Bustani argued in his submission to the OPCW that he was being attacked for what he considered was his policy of treating all members equally.

He wrote: "I have never subscribed to the theory that "equality" is proportional to the size of any one state's budgetary contribution."

The letter added: "Ironically enough, because I have stood in the way of decisions that would have established a double standard in the Organisation, I am now accused of being biased.

"What is bias for some, is in reality my commitment to "equal treatment for all". I insist that the scope of access for our inspectors should be the same in all countries."

In a plea for his job Bustani's letter ended: "I do not need a hero's departure. But if I do go – something that is now in the hands of all of you – it will be with honour."

OPCW spokesman Peter Kaiser said: "He heard the decision and left the room."

The agency's deputy director general, Dr. Jon Gee, will act as interim director general with immediate effect.

Delegates will begin discussing on Tuesday how to proceed. Kaiser admitted they were unsure whether Bustani could appeal against the decision.