SPAIN: RESPONSE TO CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 002872 SIPDIS THE HAGUE FOR CWC DEL E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2014 TAGS: PARM MARR KTIA SP CWC SUBJECT: SPAIN: RESPONSE TO CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING REF: STATE 122347 Classified By: Kathleen M. Fitzpatrick, Political Counselor REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) We reviewed the revisions to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with newly-designated Deputy Director General of International Armament Affairs Marcos Rodriguez July 8 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Rodriguez told us that officials at Spain's National Authority for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (ANPAQ, an agency under the Ministry of Science and Technology) discussed the status of the revised MOU at a July 8 meeting. He explained that Spain supports challenge inspections as a non-proliferation tool under the Organization of Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the issue remains important. ¶2. (C) Rodriguez proposed an informal follow-up meeting with Poloff and the program director of ANPAQ, Fernando Herencia, to discuss the MOU in more detail. In response to reftel suggestion, Rodriguez noted that the MFA and ANPAQ would be in a position to discuss the MOU and resolve remaining issues with a team from Washington as early as mid-August. ¶3. (C) Comment: The traditional Spanish summer holiday may make late September a more realistic time frame for a visit from Washington. Poloff will follow up with Rodriguez and Herencia to discuss Spanish concerns with the MOU and will report them to the Department well in advance of any scheduled consultations. End Comment. MANZANARES