DEMARCHE ON CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION, NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION OBLIGATIONS

UNCLAS ABIDJAN 001216 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM, PREL, CWC, OPCW, CBW, AF, BWC, IV SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION, NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION OBLIGATIONS REF: SECSTATE 178365 1) (U) On October 31, Econ Chief delivered talking points from reftel to Ambassador Amidon DIARRA, Director General of International Security and Humanitarian Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2) (SBU) Recognizing the fact that Cote d'Ivoire has not yet formally ratified its Chapter VII obligations through approval by the National Assembly, DIARRA noted that Cote d'Ivoire's political situation complicates that process markedly. The National Assembly is unable to take up consideration of legislation, as its mandate officially ended at the close of 2005, and elections to replace it have not taken place. 3) (SBU) The Minister of Foreign Affairs is currently exploring with the Office of the Prime Minister whether ratification of diplomatic texts, such as mentioned in reftel, can be accomplished via Prime Ministerial decrees. However, fixing an answer to this question by December 2006, as requested in reftel, is unlikely. Hooks