OPCW AMBASSADOR JAVITS DISCUSSES RANGE OF ISSUES

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 002083

SIPDIS


THE HAGUE FOR CWC DEL; STATE FOR AC/CB ROBERT MIKULAK

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2014
TAGS: PREL PARM IT CWC
SUBJECT: OPCW AMBASSADOR JAVITS DISCUSSES RANGE OF ISSUES
WITH ITALIAN OFFICIALS

REF: ROME 1853

Classified By: POLITICAL MILITARY COUNSELOR GARY ROBBINS
FOR REASONS 1.5(B)(D)


1. (C) Summary. OPCW Ambassador Eric Javits discussed Italy's
concerns over the timing of converting Libya's Rabta Chemical
Weapons production facility, the Working Capital Fund, the
OPCW budget format and universality with Italian officials in
Rome on May 10. End Summary.

RABTA
--------------


2. (C) Ambassador Antonio Catalano, MFA Coordinator for
International Security Policy, questioned the timing for the
conversion of Libya's Rabta CW facility under Chemical
Weapons Convention (CWC) provisions. Amb. Javits explained
that the earliest conversion could occur is following action
by the Conference of States Parties (CSP) at its next session
on November 29-December 3. The US favors a two-step approach
to Rabta conversion that would eliminate Libya's CW
production capability in a timely manner, he said. The first
step is for the Executive Council to consider a plan for
destruction and verification at the June 29-July 2 meeting.
EC-38 (12-15 October) could then recommend that the CSP adopt
the conversion formalities agreed to by Libya and the
Technical Secretariat (TS) along with a technical fix to
paragraph 72 at its early December session. Amb. Javits
explained that the CSP would be reluctant to approve a
blanket approval so broad that it would cede away its power
to scrutinize individual cases in the future, and is more
likely to approve the revision to paragraph 72 if the change
is Libya specific. With good coordination between the TS and
WEOG, and with Libya, the proposed change is very likely to
be approved, he predicted, in part because it bolsters the
universality concept.


3. (C) Amb. Catalano questioned whether a six-month time
frame is realistic for conversion. Amb. Javits clarified
that the US wants to achieve OPCW approval of the Libyan
request for conversion of Rabta as soon as possible, but
expects the plant will be under inspection for several years.


WORKING CAPITAL FUND
--------------


4. (C) Amb. Javits raised Italy's resistance to increasing
the OPCW Working Capital Fund to a 9.9 million Euro level.
He stressed the important role the fund plays in allowing the
OPCW to meet financial goals. General Tracci, an MOD CW
expert seconded to the MFA, said that Italy wants the funds
to be available to pay reimbursement costs and cover
emergencies. Italy has been against the proposal for eight
years, Tracci said, because of the political consequences of
such an increase. Amb. Javits countered that the fund should
be used to prevent emergencies as well as respond to them.
The issue is a financial one, he stressed, tied to the fact
that certain countries won't pay their dues this year, or
will have questions about vouchers that delay payment, or
have different fiscal years. There is no surety about when
funds will come in or how much. Meanwhile, inspections and
verifications continue and scientists must be paid, he noted.
It would be irresponsible to stop industrial inspections
because the organization is short of funds. The US is trying
to ensure that the OPCW develops in a fiscally responsible
manner by proposing the increase in the Working Capital Fund,
he explained. No separate assessments or contributions are
required. Amb. Javits urged the Italians to support raising
the level to 9.9 as a protection against the possibility of
having to cut programs.

BUDGET FORMAT
--------------


5. (C) Amb. Javits noted that some States Parties remain
skeptical of the new RBB format for the OPCW budget. The
2005 budget was distributed only in the RBB format to begin
to familiarize members with the new approach. A conventional
version will be distributed in June. The US supports the RBB
format and would like to see it adopted this year or for next
year's budget, he said. Tracci agreed, but said the
conventional system should remain available while members
adjusted to the new format.

HOST COUNTRY AGREEMENT
--------------



6. (C) Amb. Javits asked Giovanni Iannuzzi, head of Italy's
National CWC Authority, for an update on the HCA. Iannuzzi
said full clearance is very close (see reftel) and they have
requested full signatory authority on behalf of Italy. He
asked whether the Ambassador to Italy will sign for the US.
Once executed, the HCA will go to parliament for
ratification, he explained.

UNIVERSALITY
--------------


7. (C) The US expects significant efforts on universality
from the TS, Amb. Javits told the Italians. Preparations for
Malta were disappointing, despite discussions last November.
It takes six months for States Parties to do the political
campaigning needed to gain support. The recent UN mandate
(1540) is a boost, but OPCW needs an action plan for meeting
targets so countries will participate and do the necessary,
he said. Catalano suggested pressing for reporting to the
Security Council, rather than just compliance with OPCW.
Italy plans to work through the EU Nonproliferation Strategy
as well as bilaterally, he added.


8. (C) Iannuzzi said that Italy is working to establish a
clear rule on the OPCW tenure policy and welcomed the
decision to require non-career employment in the
organization. Financial constraints have prevented the
Secretary from fully implementing the new policy but progress

SIPDIS
is being made, he noted. Beyond the financial constraints,
he stressed that it is important to keep to the seven year
rule. Once it is clear the new rule can't be circumvented,
it will be easier to implement it, he said. Italy hopes for
more representation on the TS staff, commensurate with its
role as the sixth largest contributor to the OPCW budget, he
said. Amb. Javits responded that the US focus is on
competency; OPCW should hire the most qualified candidates,
and urged Italy to seek to find and offer the most qualified
candidates it could.


9. (U) Ambassador Javits has cleared this cable.

Visit Rome's Classified Website:
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2004ROME02083 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL