CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): U.S./U.K

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 000218

SIPDIS

STATE FOR T, VC, AC, AC/CB, NP/CBM, VC/CCB, L/ACV, IO/S

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/2014
TAGS: PARM PREL LY CWC
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): U.S./U.K
CONSULTATIONS WITH OPCW ON LIBYA


Classified By: Eric M. Javits, Ambassador to the OPCW, for reasons 1.5
(b) and (d).

This is CWC-11-04.


1. (C) On January 20, Under Secretary of State John Bolton
and William Ehrman, Director-General for Defense and
Intelligence of the U.K.'s FCO, met with the senior
leadership of the Organization for the Prohibition of
Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to discuss the state of activity on
Libyan accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC),
and destruction of its CW stocks. Accompanied by OPCW
Ambassador Javits, U.K. Ambassador Budd and U.S./U.K.
briefers, Ehrman informed OPCW Director General Pfirter of
the initial contacts and discussions which led to the Dec. 19
announcement by Libya to eliminate its WMD programs. Ehrman
stated that the U.S./U.K. had offered to assist Libya in the
preparation of its declaration under the CWC, as well as on
destruction of its CW stocks, and that Libya had accepted the
offer.


2. (C) Pfirter noted that the Technical Secretariat (TS)
was preparing to send experts from the Verification and other
divisions to Libya, at the appropriate time. He had written
to the Libyan Ambassador in The Hague in response to the
Libyan official note of accession to the CWC, and would meet
with the Ambassador on January 20. Pfirter said he would
make the point to the Ambassador that it would be important
for the Libyan government to make ready for an OPCW team.
Bolton commented that the Libyans should recognize that it is
to their advantage to be forthcoming with the OPCW. Pfirter
said the TS welcomes the role of the U.S. and U.K., and
emphasized the importance of continued cooperation between
the TS, U.S. and U.K. in dealing with Libya.


3. (C) Director of Verification Reeps asked about the
security of the Libyan CW stocks, and Bolton noted the
importance of this issue and explained that this is one of
the objectives of the teams on the ground now, to work with
the Libyans to ensure security at such sites is satisfactory.
Reeps added that he placed a high priority on ensuring the
safety of the technical experts the TS sends to Libya, and
the point was taken by all participants. Ehrman commented
that the U.S./U.K. had offered to assist in the "re-training"
of Libyan WMD experts for work in legitimate commercial
activities, which hopefully would make Tripoli more
forthcoming in its discussions with all interlocutors. He
noted that this applied to all Libyan WMD and missile
programs.


4. (C) Reeps emphasized that it would be important to get
as quickly as possible any information from U.S./U.K.
officials who had visited or would visit Libya. Bolton
re-affirmed that the U.S. and U.K. want to share information
with the TS, and provide any updates as appropriate. He
added that he thought the Libyans understood that it was in
their interest not to have any problems with OPCW personnel.
Reeps welcomed the U.S. and U.K. efforts on the ground as
"complimentary," then stressed that it would be important for
the U.S. and U.K. to help prepare the ground for the TS
personnel who would arrive in Libya.


5. (C) Turning to the declaration of CW stockpiles and
facilities that Libya would need to declare to the OPCW by
March 6, Reeps noted that a number of States Parties would
have a great deal of interest in seeing the Libyan CWC
declaration, therefore it would be important to work to make
it as accurate as possible. Ehrman commented that the
U.S./U.K. had provided Libya with a paper highlighting what
actions it needs to take and what information would assist in
developing an initial declaration, as well as provide the
Libyans with a general overview of the CWC declaration
process. Bolton added that Libya does not really have a good
idea what the OPCW will require and expect, and will require
a fair amount of guidance.


6. (C) Reeps said it was important for Libya not to be
surprised by the TS, or to surprise the TS team, and Bolton
commented that the TS team should be in-country sooner rather
than later. Finally, Deputy DG Hawtin said that the public
affairs line should emphasize that there is close
coordination between the OPCW, U.S., U.K. and Libya. Bolton
concurred, noting that Tripoli should recognize the benefits
of having press reports highlighting the role of the OPCW,
U.S., U.K. and Libyan cooperation.


7. (U) U/S Bolton has cleared this message.


8. (U) Javits sends.
SOBEL