CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): WEEKLY WRAP-UP

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 THE HAGUE 001828

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 JOECK
WINPAC FOR LIEPMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL CWC
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): WEEKLY WRAP-UP
FOR 16 JULY 2004

This is CWC-88-04.

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OPCW Draft Program and Budget 2005
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1. (U) The co-facilitators Gordon Eckersly/Australia and Ian
Mundell/Canada held four sessions on 13-14 July 2004 to
discuss Executive Management, Policymaking Organs, and
Administration. The DDG made a brief introduction to the
elements covered by the Executive Management section.
Delegations again raised their concerns about use of
consultants and temporary assistance contracts (TACs) to
augment TS staff. Delegations also inquired about the basis
of funding for medical exams, maternal and dependent
allowances, acquisition of furniture, and conversion of the
security guard force from TACs to staff members. Delegations
also questioned the large increase requested for DG and DDG
travel and hospitality.


2. The DDG responded that expenditures for travel and
hospitality in 2003 and 2004 to date were used to project the
amount needed in 2005. The DG wants to host lunches for the
EC Chair and Vice-Chairs, visiting SAB and ABAF members, and
visiting dignitaries. The DG also plans extensive travel in
support of the Action Plans on Universality and Article VII.
Delegations then requested an actual program of activity that
lays out which 2005 meetings, conferences, and workshops the
DG plans to attend. TS responded that they did not have one,
so reiterated that actual expenditures were the basis of the
request.


3. With regard to the conversion of the guard force, Rob
Simpson, Head of Office of Confidentiality and Security,
noted that based on costs of contracting security services
since 2001 (estimated to be over EUR 1 million in 2005, based
on the experience of Europol, ICTY, and ICC),conversion to
FT-EUR 750,000--is cost effective. In addition, personnel
would turn over less frequently; and hence retain a high
level of experience. In addition, the current status of the
guard force creates morale problems: because half are FT and
half are TACs, though they are all doing the same job.


4. Sylwin Gizowski presented the Policymaking Organs
overview. Budget changes are the result of a change in
contracted photographic reproduction services, with a sharp
decrease in the next five-year contract along with two TAC
positions to maintain the new equipment (maintenance
personnel were provided by the previous contractor).
Translation and interpretation services also decreased
sharply, due to TS recognition that the five special EC
sessions rarely last more than half a day although previously
estimates used two days. The TS also reached an agreement
with the Russian Federation (RF) that the RF would provide
translation of a large backlog of verification-related
documents. Gizowski also noted that most of the GTA budget
was used for temporary, short-term assistance during the
annual CSPs as well as an additional person to assist during
regular EC sessions.


5. Director of Administration Herb Shultz presided over the
discussion of the administration matters. Shultz noted that
the EUR 150,000 requested for consultants broke down into
35,000 to reclassify costs when HR considered it necessary;
30,000 to streamline the broken procurement process; 45,000
for travel management; 20,000 for insurance policy review,
and 20,000 for various RBB review elements. Schulz noted the
pressure brought on all administration elements by the tenure
decision, which accounts for much of the GTA requests.


6. Brazil questioned whether the hiring process takes into
account equitable geographic representation (Answer: Yes, in
fact for both permanent staff and TACs). Multiple
delegations asked about the dramatic increases requested for
furniture and computer equipment. Shultz replied that
currently there is no re-capitalization program to replace
aging computer equipment, security cameras, and furniture, so
that this is a first step to establishment of a replacement
program.


7. The UK asked about salary and exchange rate calculations.
Specifically, the former appears to be higher than that used
in the UN system, while the latter (Euro .89 to the USD)
greatly exceeds the actual current rate. Shultz replied that
only Euro 10.4 million is affected by the exchange rate,
which is calculated averaging from May 2003 to April 2004.
The salaries are calculated using a five-year average.
Switzerland noted that the UN uses a two-year average, and
questioned the TS methodology.


8. Numerous delegations questioned the TS use of a
two-to-three month lag to fill a vacant post, when actual
experience suggests that 7 to 9 months is more accurate.
Rick Martin, Head of the Budget Branch, noted that the lack
of a head of HR resulted in longer than acceptable delays in
filling vacant posts. This situation is expected to
normalize to an expected eight-week lag period, so this is
the figure that was used to project salary costs.

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Medium Term Plan
--------------


9. Informal consultations on the Medium Term Plan (MTP)
were held at the OPCW on 15 July. Besides the facilitators,
DDG Brian Hawtin, Head of the International Cooperation
Branch Bijoy Chatterjee, Director of Verification Horst
Reeps, and Director of External Relations Huang Yu, were also
present. For the most part, discussion centered upon the
"core objectives" contained in the MTP. Both the facilitator
and the DDG introduced the MTP as the Technical Secretariat's
rationale for approaching the '05 budget and, consequently, a
document whose time has past. This introduction seemed to
irritate those States Parties who felt they had not yet been
provided with an opportunity to comment on the core
objectives. Several delegations, including India, Iran,
South Africa, Brazil, Pakistan and Algeria lamented that
States Parties need to agree on the objectives in order to
agree on the budget. Specifically, these delegations
advocated a "four pillar" approach, emphasizing International
Cooperation and Assistance and Art. XI references as one of
the four "pillars".


10. Several States Parties, including the Del, UK, France,
Germany and Italy expressed appreciation for the Technical
Secretariat's work and the opportunity to provide comment,

SIPDIS
while noting that the issue of objectives and how to meet
them is now the responsibility of States Parties to agree in
the context of the budget negotiations. The facilitator
concluded the consultations by reminding States Parties that
the MTP is a document only to be "noted" by the Executive
Council and that the Technical Secretariat would address
issues raised, as appropriate, in a re-draft of the MTP prior
to the resumption of budget consultations in September. Del
delivered all point provided in guidance, which the DDG
indicated, specifically, in his final remarks would be
addressed in the MTP redraft.

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Universality
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11. Facilitator Hela Lahmar/Tunisia held a 12 July session
during which Huang Yu, Head of the External Relations
Division reported on the DG's attendance at the Addis Ababa
summit meeting of the African Union. Of particular note, the
DG met 45 minutes with the Egyptian Foreign Minister at the
latter's request to discuss how to accede to the Convention
(no further details as yet). The DG also met with the
Foreign Ministers of the States not Party Madagascar,
Liberia, and Guinea-Bissau. Huang also invited States Party
to participate/assist during upcoming TS bilateral assistance
visits to States not Party (Note: Huang specifically asked
del rep if the U.S. would be willing to participate. Please
advise.).


12. Huang reported that TS efforts in Africa are going to
pay off. He expects that Madagascar and Liberia to accede in
the next several weeks, Comoros, and Sierra Leone to accede
within months, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to
eventually accede. However, Huang is disappointed that
Angola has been at best noncommittal. It attended the Addis
Ababa meeting, it confirmed but did not attend the Brussels
meeting, and it does not return TS calls.


13. Huang also asked States Party to assist in TS efforts to
encourage States not Party to attend the September 2004
National Authorities meeting in Beijing. He noted that the
DG personally wrote to the heads of relevant Ministries of
Foreign Affairs and local missions, inviting them to
participate at TS expense.


14. When asked if the recent TS Universality mission to
Brussels would be repeated, Huang noted that missions were
planned for London (primarily Latin American and Caribbean
states),Paris (primarily African states),and a repeat
effort in Brussels (primarily African states),before CSP-9.
No dates are set at this point. Huang noted that another
possibility would be to hold a meeting in Geneva (primarily
Asian states). In addition, the TS is considering inviting
mission personnel from States not Party located in Paris,
London, and Brussels to The Hague for a day of meetings (date
TBD).


15. Germany, universally seconded, noted that many States
are willing to assist the TS, but that it is difficult for
States to respond when the TS does not provide dates and
venues well in advance. Multiple delegations asked for a
report of the two consultants' efforts. The facilitator
noted that during her discussions with General Chong, she was
told that his activities are secret and will remain so.
Delegations were disappointed with Chong's response and
pressed Huang for a full report of TS universality-related
efforts (Note: In a conversation following the DG's return
from Korea, Ambassador Javits was informed that the DG now
sees a pressing need to retain Chong to work on universality
on the Korean peninsula. It remains unclear, however,
whether he would be retained as a contract consultant, or is
being considered for the D-1 position advertised in ERD. End
Note.). Austria, universally supported by other delegations,
asked the TS to provide a country-by-country status report,
including reports on recent contacts, in its next
consultation with delegations. Huang noted that ERD had
prepared such a report, but that the DG decided it was too
sensitive to distribute to delegations. Delegations
responded that was not acceptable.


16. Kellogg sends.
RUSSEL