SPAIN AGREES TO MEETING WITH USG ON CHEMICAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 002451

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/WE,
THE HAGUE FOR CWC DEL, ALSO FOR EMBASSY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2015
TAGS: PARM MARR KTIA SP CWC
SUBJECT: SPAIN AGREES TO MEETING WITH USG ON CHEMICAL
WEAPONS CONVENTION IN THE HAGUE

REF: STATE 104144

Classified By: RICARDO ZUNIGA, POLITICAL OFFICER, FOR
REASONS 1.4 (B) & (D)



1. (C) Poloff met with the Spanish Foreign Ministry's deputy
director of International Disarmament Affairs, Marcos
Rodriguez Cantero, June 24 to convey Washington's desire to
meet with Spanish experts in The Hague during the 41st
Executive Council Session June 28 to July 5 to discuss the
text of the Chemical Weapons Convention Host Country
Agreement (reftel). Rodriguez said Spain's ambassador to The
Hague, Alfonso Dastis, and a representative from Spain's
National Chemical Weapons Agency (ANPAQ),Niveas Gomez, would
meet with the USG to discuss the agreement.


2. (C) Rodriguez explained that one of Spain's concerns with
the agreement centers on what type of government military
equipment falls under the USG's definition of "assets" which
could come under inspection by the Organization for the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). He added that Spain
does not see a "strong need" for this agreement because Spain
does not produce chemical weapons and would be unlikely to be
targeted for inspection by the OPCW. However, the GoS
expects to follow through on its commitment to conclude the
agreement with the USG, Rodriguez said.

MANZANARES