Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04THEHAGUE13
2004-01-06 10:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): WRAP-UP FOR 2
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 THE HAGUE 000013
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AC/CB, NP/CBM, VC/CCB, L/ACV, IO/S
SECDEF FOR OSD/ISP
JOINT STAFF FOR DD PMA-A FOR WTC
COMMERCE FOR BIS (GOLDMAN)
NSC FOR CHUPA
WINPAC FOR LIEPMAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL CWC
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): WRAP-UP FOR 2
JAN
This is CWC-1-04.
---------------
Data Automation
---------------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 THE HAGUE 000013
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AC/CB, NP/CBM, VC/CCB, L/ACV, IO/S
SECDEF FOR OSD/ISP
JOINT STAFF FOR DD PMA-A FOR WTC
COMMERCE FOR BIS (GOLDMAN)
NSC FOR CHUPA
WINPAC FOR LIEPMAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL CWC
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): WRAP-UP FOR 2
JAN
This is CWC-1-04.
--------------
Data Automation
--------------
1. (U) Canadian representative Peter van Brakel briefly
raised the U.S. push on TS data automation with del. He
noted Canada's support of the U.S. initiative and said that
Canada had been submitting its redacted industry data
declarations via electronic means (CD-ROM) for some time.
French and UK reps also indicated that their industrial data
declarations were submitted via CD-ROM, and France added that
its authorities collected all their data in electronic format
but were not permitted to share it all with the TS. All
three delegations indicated that TS data handling security
issues prevented their submission of complete industry
declarations via electronic means and welcomed the day when
TS automation efforts were completed to the satisfaction of
SIPDIS
all States Parties.
--------------
Future Budgets
--------------
2. (U) The UK, French, and Canadian representatives all
anticipate that OPCW budgets would have to continue to rise
significantly to accommodate increasing inspection demands.
They agree that the possible efficiency savings of
introducing on-call inspectors, increasing automation, etc.,
cannot not offset increasing demands to verify destruction
activities, combined with the need to maintain or increase
industry inspections, and the anticipated demands for
inspections of new States Parties (such as Libya). The three
reps recognize that the TS has reached the same conclusion in
preparing the draft Medium Term Plan, which forecasts falling
inspection activity unless budgets continue to rise.
--------------
Off-Site Analysis
--------------
3. (U) During a brief discussion regarding the recent UK
proposal on the presence of a State Party observer during
off-site analysis, the French representative indicated France
cannot support the UK proposal. Specifically, the UK
proposal still allows analysis to be conducted without an
observer present, should there be political or technical
problems associated with entry of the observer to the
laboratory or country where analysis is being conducted.
France contends States Parties have the right to be present
during the "verification activity" of off-site analysis
because of its direct bearing on the findings of any
inspection report.
--------------
Updated Calendar of Universality Events
--------------
4. (U) Drawing on conversations with officials of the
External Relations Division and other delegations, Del has
updated the list of Universality events proposed for 2004.
The calendar below draws from the paper distributed by the
Technical Secretariat on November 26, including new events
that have been scheduled, and correcting dates that have
firmed up or slipped back. We have also noted some events
that have come under discussion as good fora to promote
Universality. These proposals may be discussed at a January
13 meeting between TS and SP Points of Contact and other
interested SPs, although the agenda of that meeting will
focus more on the role and identity of POCs.
--------------
January-March
--------------
- TS meetings with Brussels (late January) and London
(February) missions of States not Party to encourage greater
involvement with OPCW activities (to be repeated in 4th
quarter).
- Cambodia bilateral assistance visit (by UK National
Authority) -- Phnom Penh, Cambodia, January-February.
- West Africa regional workshop for National Authorities
(possible forum; not focused on Universality per se) --
Dakar, Senegal, February 24-26.
- Rwanda bilateral assistance visit (by TS to advance
ratification process) -- Kigali, Rwanda, February-March.
- Solomon Islands bilateral assistance visit (by TS to assist
accession) -- Honiara, Solomon Islands, 1st quarter.
--------------
April-June
--------------
- Africa regional universality workshop for States not Party
(TS in cooperation with African Union Secretariat) (NOTE:
South African delegate Makwarela has repeatedly questioned
whether this proposal has AU support. TS insists that it
does.) -- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April.
- ASEAN Regional Forum (possible forum for TS and/or certain
States Parties to pitch universality) Inter-Sessional Support
Group meeting on CBMs -- Rangoon, Myanmar, April.
- Middle East-Mediterranean-Asia regional universality
workshop for States Not Party (NOTE: EU plans to use this
event to launch universality push in the Middle East) --
Malta, May.
- Myanmar bilateral assistance visit (TS in conjunction with
UNDDA project) -- Rangoon, Myanmar, 2nd quarter.
- Angola bilateral assistance visit (by TS to assist
accession) -- Luanda, Angola, 2nd quarter.
- Bhutan bilateral assistance visit (by TS and States Parties
to assist ratification) -- Thimphu, Bhutan, 2nd quarter.
--------------
July-September
--------------
- ASEAN Regional Forum (possible forum for TS and/or certain
States Parties to raise universality) ARF Ministerial --
Jakarta, Indonesia, July 26-30.
- Organization of Eastern Caribbean States sub-regional
meeting for States not Party (TS in cooperation with OECS
Secretariat) -- Castries, Saint Lucia, 3rd quarter.
SIPDIS
- Honduras and Dominican Republic bilateral assistance visit
(TS in conjunction with UN Regional Disarmament Center) --
Honduras and Dominican Republic, 3rd quarter.
- Comoros bilateral assistance visit (TS to assist
ratification) -- Moroni, Comoros, 3rd quarter.
- D.R. Congo bilateral assistance visit (TS to assist
ratification) -- Kinshasa, DRC, 3rd quarter.
- Asia National Authorities' second regional meeting (States
not Party to be invited) -- Beijing, China, September.
--------------
October-December
--------------
- UNGA (Visit by DG to First committee and bilateral meetings
with States not Party) -- New York, October.
- States not Party Missions in The Hague induction workshop
and briefings -- The Hague, November.
- TS follow-up meetings with the London or Brussels missions
of States not Party to encourage greater SNP involvement with
OPCW activities -- London and Brussels, 4th quarter.
- CSP-9 (States not Party to be invited for bilateral
meetings) -- The Hague, November 29-December 3.
5. (U) Ito sends.
RUSSEL
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AC/CB, NP/CBM, VC/CCB, L/ACV, IO/S
SECDEF FOR OSD/ISP
JOINT STAFF FOR DD PMA-A FOR WTC
COMMERCE FOR BIS (GOLDMAN)
NSC FOR CHUPA
WINPAC FOR LIEPMAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL CWC
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): WRAP-UP FOR 2
JAN
This is CWC-1-04.
--------------
Data Automation
--------------
1. (U) Canadian representative Peter van Brakel briefly
raised the U.S. push on TS data automation with del. He
noted Canada's support of the U.S. initiative and said that
Canada had been submitting its redacted industry data
declarations via electronic means (CD-ROM) for some time.
French and UK reps also indicated that their industrial data
declarations were submitted via CD-ROM, and France added that
its authorities collected all their data in electronic format
but were not permitted to share it all with the TS. All
three delegations indicated that TS data handling security
issues prevented their submission of complete industry
declarations via electronic means and welcomed the day when
TS automation efforts were completed to the satisfaction of
SIPDIS
all States Parties.
--------------
Future Budgets
--------------
2. (U) The UK, French, and Canadian representatives all
anticipate that OPCW budgets would have to continue to rise
significantly to accommodate increasing inspection demands.
They agree that the possible efficiency savings of
introducing on-call inspectors, increasing automation, etc.,
cannot not offset increasing demands to verify destruction
activities, combined with the need to maintain or increase
industry inspections, and the anticipated demands for
inspections of new States Parties (such as Libya). The three
reps recognize that the TS has reached the same conclusion in
preparing the draft Medium Term Plan, which forecasts falling
inspection activity unless budgets continue to rise.
--------------
Off-Site Analysis
--------------
3. (U) During a brief discussion regarding the recent UK
proposal on the presence of a State Party observer during
off-site analysis, the French representative indicated France
cannot support the UK proposal. Specifically, the UK
proposal still allows analysis to be conducted without an
observer present, should there be political or technical
problems associated with entry of the observer to the
laboratory or country where analysis is being conducted.
France contends States Parties have the right to be present
during the "verification activity" of off-site analysis
because of its direct bearing on the findings of any
inspection report.
--------------
Updated Calendar of Universality Events
--------------
4. (U) Drawing on conversations with officials of the
External Relations Division and other delegations, Del has
updated the list of Universality events proposed for 2004.
The calendar below draws from the paper distributed by the
Technical Secretariat on November 26, including new events
that have been scheduled, and correcting dates that have
firmed up or slipped back. We have also noted some events
that have come under discussion as good fora to promote
Universality. These proposals may be discussed at a January
13 meeting between TS and SP Points of Contact and other
interested SPs, although the agenda of that meeting will
focus more on the role and identity of POCs.
--------------
January-March
--------------
- TS meetings with Brussels (late January) and London
(February) missions of States not Party to encourage greater
involvement with OPCW activities (to be repeated in 4th
quarter).
- Cambodia bilateral assistance visit (by UK National
Authority) -- Phnom Penh, Cambodia, January-February.
- West Africa regional workshop for National Authorities
(possible forum; not focused on Universality per se) --
Dakar, Senegal, February 24-26.
- Rwanda bilateral assistance visit (by TS to advance
ratification process) -- Kigali, Rwanda, February-March.
- Solomon Islands bilateral assistance visit (by TS to assist
accession) -- Honiara, Solomon Islands, 1st quarter.
--------------
April-June
--------------
- Africa regional universality workshop for States not Party
(TS in cooperation with African Union Secretariat) (NOTE:
South African delegate Makwarela has repeatedly questioned
whether this proposal has AU support. TS insists that it
does.) -- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April.
- ASEAN Regional Forum (possible forum for TS and/or certain
States Parties to pitch universality) Inter-Sessional Support
Group meeting on CBMs -- Rangoon, Myanmar, April.
- Middle East-Mediterranean-Asia regional universality
workshop for States Not Party (NOTE: EU plans to use this
event to launch universality push in the Middle East) --
Malta, May.
- Myanmar bilateral assistance visit (TS in conjunction with
UNDDA project) -- Rangoon, Myanmar, 2nd quarter.
- Angola bilateral assistance visit (by TS to assist
accession) -- Luanda, Angola, 2nd quarter.
- Bhutan bilateral assistance visit (by TS and States Parties
to assist ratification) -- Thimphu, Bhutan, 2nd quarter.
--------------
July-September
--------------
- ASEAN Regional Forum (possible forum for TS and/or certain
States Parties to raise universality) ARF Ministerial --
Jakarta, Indonesia, July 26-30.
- Organization of Eastern Caribbean States sub-regional
meeting for States not Party (TS in cooperation with OECS
Secretariat) -- Castries, Saint Lucia, 3rd quarter.
SIPDIS
- Honduras and Dominican Republic bilateral assistance visit
(TS in conjunction with UN Regional Disarmament Center) --
Honduras and Dominican Republic, 3rd quarter.
- Comoros bilateral assistance visit (TS to assist
ratification) -- Moroni, Comoros, 3rd quarter.
- D.R. Congo bilateral assistance visit (TS to assist
ratification) -- Kinshasa, DRC, 3rd quarter.
- Asia National Authorities' second regional meeting (States
not Party to be invited) -- Beijing, China, September.
--------------
October-December
--------------
- UNGA (Visit by DG to First committee and bilateral meetings
with States not Party) -- New York, October.
- States not Party Missions in The Hague induction workshop
and briefings -- The Hague, November.
- TS follow-up meetings with the London or Brussels missions
of States not Party to encourage greater SNP involvement with
OPCW activities -- London and Brussels, 4th quarter.
- CSP-9 (States not Party to be invited for bilateral
meetings) -- The Hague, November 29-December 3.
5. (U) Ito sends.
RUSSEL