CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): WEEKLY WRAP-UP

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 001391

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): WEEKLY WRAP-UP
FOR MAY 28, 2004


This is CWC-67-04.

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FY 2005 BUDGET
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1. (U) The Director General presented the FY 2005 budget
proposal on May 27 (faxed to AC/CB),stating that it was
consistent with the objectives set by the Review Conference
and maintained the spending power of the TS. The nominal
increase is 4.8 percent, which means that, if accepted,
annual assessments would increase by 4.4 percent. The entire
budget proposal is for 76.7 million euros, with about two
thirds going to salaries and other staff costs. New
initiatives include a 17 percent increase for verification
activities at CWDFs, and an increase from 70 to 80
inspections of OCPFs. A new P-level position is to be given
to the International Cooperation and Assistance Division to
support national implementation activities. Finally, the
guard staff will move from temporary to professional staff,
keeping costs down by eliminating one sergeant positions.

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OIO REPORT
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2. (U) Facilitator Chiho Komuro (Japan) held a May 26
facilitation to discuss the Note by the Director General
(EC-37/DG.5) and the Annual Report of the Office of internal
Oversight for the Period from January 1 to December 31, 2003.
After a call for general comments on the DG's note,
delegations generally noted the slow rate of Technical
Secretariat (TS) implementation of OIO recommendations, the

SIPDIS
slow rate of progress in developing and reviewing procedures
of the Human Resources Branch (HRB),and the foot dragging of
the TS in implementing the EC-36 directive changing
implementation of the home leave policy.


3. (U) The TS responded to concerns of delegations by
noting that the rate of implementation of OIO recommendations
had jumped from 18 to about 40 percent as of late May 2004.
The TS also noted that the HRB situation had improved since
its new head had been brought on board. Finally, with regard
to the EC-directed change in home leave policy, Head of
Administration Herb Schulz noted that two days after the EC
decision was taken, the DG began implementation. Because the
new directive required review by a number of offices,
including the Office of the Legal Advisor, it would take
several months until all approvals are in place and the
directive implemented. Delegations noted dissatisfaction
with this response, stressing that the EC decision was not
the same as a TS-initiated change in regulations and did not
require a time-consuming review process. Canada and Germany
asked the TS to provide the expected date of implementation.


4. (U) Brazil complained that it was inappropriate to
discuss OIO activities in 2003 until there was a
comprehensive report on all of 2002. OIO Director Louati
responded that an OIO investigation covers a specific time
period that does not necessarily coincide with the calendar
year. Louati noted that the DG had approved Brazil's request
that the OIO investigate TS recruiting and hiring procedures
over the period 2002-2004. Louati also stated that the TS
could not drop its program of work at the request of one
delegation; proper procedures must be followed.


5. (U) Discussion of the Annual OIO Report focused on the
OIO investigation of the theft of a TS camcorder. The report
was vague on exactly what had transpired, and delegations
were concerned that sensitive information recorded during an
inspection might have been lost. They also noted that in
addition to the circa 3,000 euro camcorder, an additional
11,880 euros worth of equipment had gone missing. Louati
said that no sensitive information had been lost, because the
camcorder had been stolen prior to the start of the
inspection. However, because of the sensitive nature of the
incident, Louati could not provide more details, much to
delegations' frustration.

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UNIVERSALITY
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6. (U) Facilitator Hela Lahmar (Tunisia) held a May 27
consultation to discuss the Malta and Addis Ababa
universality workshops. Ioan Tudor of the External Relations
Division reported that 35 delegates attended from 22
countries along with representatives from the Council for
Foreign Relations (Egypt),the League of Arab States, and the
European Union. Tudor reported that earlier TS mistakes
(e.g., timing of the Malta invitations) would not me
repeated.


7. (U) Tudor reported that Israel indicated that while it
was difficult to defend its nonparticipation in the CWC, the
security situation in the region remained the deciding
factor, although adherence to WMD-related treaties is an
element of the peace process. Israel noted that it had
implemented export control procedures consistent with the
requirements of the convention. The Comoros Islands reported
that it has been in political crisis since 1997 and needed
help to implement the CWC. Tudor stated that the TS is
considering a bilateral assistance visit and that the TS
welcomed support. Finally, Tudor reported that the Egyptian,
speaking in his personal capacity, stated that Egypt supports
the effort to make his region WMD-free and anticipated
dialogue between the TS and Egypt in the near term.


8. (U) Tudor reported TS follow-up actions, which include
May 24 letters from the Director General to States not Party
advising them of UNSC Resolution 1540 and appealing to them
to ratify the CWC as a partial response. The TS intends to
work more closely with the POCs identified by a number of
SPs, in particular brainstorming possibilities to approach
nonmember States. Tudor noted that EU foreign policy chief
Solana might address the November 2004 CSP. The TS will
initiate/continue its dialogue with Egypt, Lebanon, and
Syria, and the TS would like to engage in a joint WMD-related
event in the Mideast, with organizations such as the IAEA,
UN/Disarmament Affairs, and CTBTO.


9. (U) Delegations responded positively to the TS
presentation, noting the small but significant
accomplishments of the Malta workshop. They also advised
consideration of a change of format, as the one utilized may
not necessarily be suitable for future gatherings.
Delegations noted the significant participation of Libya, and
the useful discussion of what led to Libya's decision to
accede to the CWC.


10. (U) Ito sends.
SOBEL