CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): SUPPORTING THE

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000769

SIPDIS

FROM AMBASSADOR JAVITS FOR AC/CB AND IO/S

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL CWC
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): SUPPORTING THE
VOLUNTARY NON-RENEWAL OPTION

REF: STATE 63125


1. (U) This is CWC-40-04.


2. (U) The guidance cable from the Department for the
current OPCW Executive Council session instructs me to
support the efforts by the Technical Secretariat to implement
measures to assist staff members affected by the tenure
policy. As Washington wisely notes, the proposal to have the
Human Resources Branch provide assistance to those staff
selected for separation from the OPCW in finding other
employment is "good management practice." However, the
Department then instructs me to oppose the proposal for a
voluntary non-renewal option.


3. (U) I am sure that opposition to such a valuable
initiative is due to a misunderstanding of what is being
proposed. First and foremost, employees who adopt the
voluntary, non-renewal option will need to sign a waiver
indicating they will not bring a case in the ILO on their
separation from the OPCW. For that reason alone, I would
assert that the U.S. should support this initiative.


4. (U) In addition, the proposal allows the organization to
minimize the amount of dislocation and anxiety among the
entire OPCW staff. Every staff member who elects voluntary
non-renewal is one less person who will need to be
involuntarily separated from the OPCW in order to meet the
tough standard which has been set by the U.S. and others for
tenure implementation. It is also important to correct the
misconception that the proposal provides staff with three
months salary "for not working." While some staff may take
the opportunity to go home to seek follow-on employment,
other measures being implemented by the HR office allow those
who take voluntary non-renewal to conduct a job hunt at the
OPCW. Beyond that, the proposal has been well-crafted to
give preeminence to the needs of the organization. While
employees may apply for voluntary non-renewal, if the
Director General believes the OPCW is in need of a particular
staff member, voluntary non-renewal is not offered to that
individual.


5. (U) In its guidance cable, Washington notes that
"renewals should be offered when it is in the best interest
of the organization to do so." I would assert that this is
exactly what the OPCW is doing with the voluntary non-renewal
initiative. It helps prevent, keep to a minimum or moderate
the likely outcome of legal action by staff. It reduces the
amount of involuntary separation from the OPCW. It will
substantially improve staff morale. And it does so with a
minimal amount of "lost work." I am sure that in view of
these factors, Washington will instruct me to support the
voluntary non-renewal initiative.


6. (U) Javits sends.
SOBEL