CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC) - SEEKING

UNCLAS BERN 002046 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE FOR USDEL OPCW E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL SZ SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC) - SEEKING SUPPORT FOR U.S. REQUEST TO EXTEND 100 PERCENT DESTRUCTION DEADLINE REF: SECSTATE 179253 1.(SBU) Switzerland will not intervene on the USG extension request at the CWC Executive Council meeting. In response to reftel talking points, Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs Disarmament Chief Andreas Friedrich told Poloff that Switzerland appreciates the USG paper and is aware of the hurdles in our efforts to meet the 100 percent destruction deadline. At the same time, Switzerland encourages the USG to step up its efforts, observing that Russia seemed to be making better progress. Asked by Poloff whether Switzerland's view remains, as it was last April, one of "grudging acceptance" of the USG position, Friedrich laughed in general agreement. His view, he added, was that "meeting the deadline would still be possible; it is just a question of resources." Nevertheless, instructions for the Swiss delegation will be not to weigh in on the issue. OTTO