12 September 2013Last updated at13:09 ET

Syria crisis: UN receives Syria chemical treaty papers

The UN has confirmed it has received documents from Syria on joining the Chemical Weapons Convention, which outlaws their production and use.

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad earlier told Russian TV the papers were being sent and that it would submit weapons data one month after signing.US and Russian foreign ministers are preparing to meet in Geneva to discuss the plan, proposed by Moscow this week.The US accuses the Syrian regime of killing hundreds in a chemical attack.The government denies the allegation, blaming rebels for the attack in the Ghouta area of the capital, Damascus, on 21 August.Russia announced its proposal for dealing with the escalating chemical weapons crisis on Monday, as the US Congress was preparing to vote on whether to back President Barack Obama's moves towards military action against Syria.

'Chance for peace'

UN associate spokesman Farhan Haq said the Syrian documents were in the process of being translated.The convention requires all parties to declare and destroy all of the chemical weapons they possess.In his interview, which has not yet been broadcast in full, Mr Assad told state-run Rossiya 24: "Syria is placing its chemical weapons under international control because of Russia. The US threats did not influence the decision."

He confirmed that Syria was sending relevant documents to the UN as part of the process of signing the Chemical Weapons Convention. Mr Assad said Syria would then submit information on its chemical weapons one month after signing.He also said that Russia's proposal was "not unilateral", adding: "Syria will accept it if America stops military threats and if other countries supplying the rebels with chemical weapons also abide by the agreement."He said only Russia could make the agreement happen as "Syria has neither contacts with, nor trust in, America".

Instructions: Article of the Week

The first reading of the article will be on your own. While you are reading the article, please do the following:

1)  Underline unknown or confusing words or phrases: ______/5

2)  Circle key players/people in the event ______/5

3)  Ask three questions in the margin _____/5 (Should be questions you really have about the information presented)

Question starters: Who…..? Example: Who is Mr. Assad?

What….?

Where…?

When…?

Why?....?

4)  Make three connections written in the margin _____/5

Connection Possibilities:

Connect to a personal event in your life

Example: Iraq the case for invasion of Iraq was similar

Connect to another event in history/current events

Connect to a prior knowledge

5)  Write a half page response (single spaced on a separate sheet of paper explaing your opinion on the subject. Do you agree with the UN? Do you agree with America? Or with Russia? Explain why?

Staple half page response to article and turn in at end of the hour _____/5

Total____/25