GHANA'S PROGRESS ON CWC ARTICLE VII: DEMARCHE

UNCLAS ACCRA 001232 SIPDIS DEPT PASS TO AC/CB / EDNA SIDLER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM AORC ABUD CWC CBW OPCW SUBJECT: GHANA'S PROGRESS ON CWC ARTICLE VII: DEMARCHE DELIVERED REF: STATE 125807 ¶1. On Wednesday, June 9, PolOff delivered reftel demarche to the Director of International Organizations in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, John Kuleke, regarding Ghana's commitment to fulfill its national implementation obligations under Article VII of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). PolOff underscored USG concern that the GoG has not yet enacted implementing legislation in accordance with Article VII. ¶2. Kuleke replied that Ghana viewed such legislation as "very important and pressing". Toward that end, he has written the Ministries of Finance, Environment and Science, and Defense, as well as the Attorney General, to request their assistance in moving forward on this legislation. Kuleke also said that these ministries would be interested to know what form the promised "technical assistance" from the US would entail. ¶3. Comment. While Mission does not doubt Kuleke's sincerity, domestic priorities are likely to take precedence over CWC legislation. For the remainder of this year's legislative calendar, there are many important and some contentious pieces of legislation pending before Parliament, including a planned FOIA Act, Whistle Blower's Act, Disability Act, Foreign Entry Act, Long Term Savings Act, Domestic Violence Act, and Trafficking-in-Persons Act. End Comment. Yates