MTAG: CZECHS TO INVESTIGATE SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY

S E C R E T PRAGUE 000195 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/NCE E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2016 TAGS: PARM PREL CWC NL AU EZ SUBJECT: MTAG: CZECHS TO INVESTIGATE SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS REF: STATE 27141 Classified By: A/DCM Martin Hohe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) Poloff February 22 delivered reftel demarche on WEOG mention of "next generation agents" to MFA UN and Nonproliferation Director Jan Kara (Note: Reftel reported the Czech Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) had made several inappropriate comments at the February 8 WEOG meeting about the history of such agents and their possible addition to the CWC schedules. End note). Kara responded he was unfamiliar with the incident but promised to investigate the matter and report back. He said he fully understood USG concerns in relation to discussion of next generation agents and their possible addition to the CWC Schedules of Chemicals. Kara said the SAB Chairman's comments did not conform to the guidance given to the Czech delegation. He wondered whether the Chairman had been speaking on the basis of reading material he had gained in his capacity as a member of the SAB. Embassy Prague will report Kara's findings and the MFA's planned remedial action as soon as the information becomes available. CABANISS