Currently, 188 nations, representing the vast bulk of the world's population, have signed up to the Convention on Chemical Weapons, which is overseen by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

CNN: SHARE THIS

Efforts have been made since 1918 to stamp them out -- through the 1925 Geneva Protocol, which bans their use, and the 1997 Convention on Chemical Weapons, which bans their use, development, production and transfer -- but still some nations stockpile them.

CNN: SHARE THIS

In the impending vote on the Chemical Weapons Convention, ratification would require a two-thirds majority, which is to say the votes of 22 of Trent Lott's 55 Republicans.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Arms Control Mystique

On the 15th Anniversary of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), we reiterated our commitment to meeting our obligations under the Convention, including the complete destruction of chemical weapons stockpile under verification as soon as possible, in order to protect the integrity of the Convention.

WHITEHOUSE: Joint Statement of the 4th ASEAN-U.S. Leaders' Meeting

The Geneva Convention banning the use of chemical weapons by states has been on the books since 1925 and has been violated repeatedly, most notably of late by Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Blowing Smoke About Making Deadly Gas

Now America must rise to the challenge of ratifying the Chemical Weapons Convention and doing it before it takes effect on April the 29th, less than three weeks from today.

CNN: Bill Clinton Speaks To A Meeting Of Newspaper Editors

Chlorine isn't listed on any of the three lists of chemicals banned by the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1997.

CNN: SHARE THIS