The international community made progress with the biological weapons convention signed in 1972.

"One might think we had come for an antique weapons convention," the gentleman said through his mustache.

The Biological Weapons Convention has been in effect for 23 years now.

The weapons convention permits the production and use of riot-control agents for law enforcement purposes.

"What we're trying to do," one senior official said, "is send a signal that we require full compliance with the chemical and biological weapons conventions."

During the weapons convention, the team passes a salesman talking about the effectiveness of the "EM-50" mobile interrogation unit.

"What does this say to cheaters about the U.S. commitment to enforce the biological weapons convention?"

This is inimical to the solution of an important problem: strengthening the implementation of the international bacteriological weapons convention.

Canada ratified the Biological Weapons Convention on September 18, 1972.

Iran ratified the Biological Weapons Convention on 22 August 1973.