CWC EXTENSION DEMARCHE DELIVERED

UNCLAS MEXICO 006248 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN/CB; THE HAGUE FOR CWC DEL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL CBW CWC OPCW SUBJECT: CWC EXTENSION DEMARCHE DELIVERED REF: STATE 179253 (SBU) Poloff delivered ref demarche to Secretariat of Foreign Relations (SRE) Deputy Director General for UN-Related Security and Legal Issues Julian Juarez Cardenas. Juarez said the GOM is concerned about requests from countries seeking extensions of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) deadline for completing the destruction of all chemical weapons stocks. While recognizing the expense and technical challenges involved, he commented that the GOM finds it difficult to understand why a destruction deadline that remains five years away cannot be met. He underscored the importance of disarmament and destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles to broader nonproliferation efforts. Juarez noted that the U.S. and other requests for extensions would be reviewed at the next meeting of the OPCW Executive Council, adding that rather than granting indefinite extensions, the GOM and others would like to see those nations requesting extensions offer specific timetables they will stick to. He reiterated that Mexico's position toward a U.S. request would be the same as toward others seeking extensions. Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity GARZA