CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): UNDER SECRETARY

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 001411 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR T, ISN, ISN/CB, VCI/CCB, L/ACV, IO/S SECDEF FOR OSD/ISP JOINT STAFF FOR DD PMA-A FOR WTC COMMERCE FOR BIS (GOLDMAN) NSC FOR DICASAGRANDE WINPAC FOR WALTER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL CWC SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): UNDER SECRETARY JOSEPH'S MEETING WITH OPCW DIRECTOR GENERAL PFIRTER This is CWC-54-06. -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (U) In his June 21 meeting with Rogelio Pfirter, Director General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW),Under Secretary Joseph reaffirmed that the U.S. is working to complete destruction of its CW stocks as soon as possible. He also emphasized to Pfirter the importance of hiring more Amcits, and the two agreed to work to find more Amcit applicants for OPCW jobs. The DG asked for U.S. support in connection with an October conference to promote universal adherence to the CWC, and Joseph replied positively. Joseph expressed U.S. support for the DG, the OPCW, and the CW Convention, which was greatly appreciated by the DG. End Summary. -------------- U.S. SUPPORT AND DESTRUCTION PROGRAM -------------- ¶2. (U) Joseph began the meeting with DG Pfirter by expressing appreciation for the DG's work, and U.S. support for the DG, the OPCW Technical Secretariat, and the CW Convention. He added that the President had made clear that nonproliferation is a U.S. priority, and the important role the OPCW plays in that effort. Pfirter expressed thanks and emphasized that U.S. support for the OPCW and the CWC is critical. ¶3. (U) On the issue of the U.S. request for an extension of its deadline for destroying 100% of its CW stocks, Joseph reiterated that the U.S. is committed to destruction, which is apparent in the extensive U.S. funding for CW destruction. The U.S. will complete destruction as soon as possible, consistent with legal, environmental and safety requirements. ¶4. (U) The DG informed Joseph that he had taken note of, and indeed, cited the Under Secretary's earlier comments on destruction. Pfirter added the personal view that the negotiators of the CWC may have been too optimistic about destruction timelines. However, it was clear that the U.S. destruction plan, which extends beyond 2012, had created "complications" with other States Parties. Joseph noted that it is somewhat ironic that the U.S. is being punished for being so transparent with the TS and States Parties. ¶5. (U) Joseph then asked the DG what he had heard from the Russians about their destruction program. Pfirter replied that they had simply reiterated their commitment to completing destruction by 2012, and outlined their restructured destruction program. The DG commented that it is necessary to ensure that States Parties do not act prematurely regarding U.S. destruction. Pfirter stated that in his view, this is a practical issue that should be resolved at the right time. Joseph added that the U.S. has an excellent record on destruction, providing destruction assistance to other possessors, including Libya, Russia and Albania. The G-8 Global Partnership also makes a major contribution. The DG agreed completely. -------------- HIRING AMERICAN CITIZENS -------------- ¶6. (U) Joseph impressed on the DG that it is important to have more American citizens in the TS. He noted that there are reports that must be submitted to Congress, which is keenly interested in this issue. The DG replied that he is fully aware that this is an important issue for the U.S. He noted that there had been a slight increase in the percentage of Americans. Pfirter went on to note that in one recent case, he had selected a very qualified French candidate for what he emphasized to Joseph was not a key position. The DG candidly stated that he faced a difficult situation given that France, a P-5 state, had no senior officials at the OPCW. He added that the French candidate was well-qualified. ¶7. (U) Pfirter went on to comment that he had offered the position of head of the OPCW laboratory to an Amcit, and was even willing to go to the limits of the salary he could offer. However, the Amcit turned down the job. The DG stated that he wanted an American to fill the position of head of the Information Services Branch. However, he said he hoped Joseph would agree that he could not just hire Amcits because they are Amcits. Innumerable countries come in to plead their case to the DG that they are under-represented in the TS. Pfirter (who is from Argentina) said that his own government had highlighted the fact that there are fewer Argentines on the TS payroll now than before Pfirter became DG. ¶8. (U) The DG stressed that in order to hire more Amcits, he needs more Amcit applicants. Joseph concurred and said that Washington and the TS need to work together to find many more good Amcit candidates. However, Joseph emphasized to the DG that it is important that the percentage of Americans on the TS continue to go up. SIPDIS -------------- UNIVERSALITY -------------- ¶9. (U) Joseph asked about OPCW efforts regarding universality. Pfirter outlined the efforts with non-States Parties in the various regions. He noted that North Korea is "problematic." T senior advisor Patricia McNerney asked whether use of UNSCR 1540's mandatory requirements might help with some states. Pfirter said that he was not sure whether 1540 would be of use with regard to North Korea. Turning to the Middle East, the DG said that his message has been that efforts on CW cannot be held hostage to issues concerning nuclear weapons. ¶10. (U) The DG then addressed the OPCW's Rome conference in October to promote universality in the Mediterranean region (with a focus on Middle Eastern states). Pfirter asked for U.S. support, as well as that of the P-5 to generate the highest possible attendance by non-SPs. He noted that Syria attended the last regional conference. Pfirter added that he had been informed that the EU had agreed to a relationship agreement that did not include language on nonproliferation. The DG commented that Egypt has never sent anyone to previous universality conferences. They "make good statements" but do not take any action. The DG said he had recently visited Israel, had positive discussions, and will continue his dialogue with the Israelis. On Lebanon, Pfirter asked for U.S. assistance in pushing for high-level attendance in Rome. He said the current Lebanese relationship with Syria is "still not clear" to the DG. -------------- GENERAL TOPICS -------------- ¶11. (U) Amb. Javits hosted a lunch at which Joseph met with senior TS officials. Joseph asked for their views on the major challenges facing the OPCW. Pfirter recited the usual topics, but also noted that scientific developments were a major challenge. He went on to note that developments in the chemical industry are another challenge. Joseph asked about fourth generation agents, and the DG said that he had asked the OPCW Scientific Advisory Board to look into this issue. While there is no need to rush to action on this matter, it is critical to ask now for solid scientific advice. The DG also said that there is discussion of whether the Schedule of Chemicals is up to date or whether there should be consideration of updating the schedules. The DG also added that it is important to strengthen the efforts to inspect other chemical production facilities, but the discussions with less developed countries had been difficult. ¶12. (U) Joseph returned to the topic of universality and asked how the OPCW can increase pressure on getting non-States Parties to join. Pfirter stressed that individual approaches are obviously necessary, and the key is to establish and continue a dialogue. He noted that it is important that we are reaching a point where having CW is viewed as politically unacceptable by the international community. That is critical, as non-SPs see that there is a price to be paid for being outside the CWC. Joseph stated that with regard to Libya, it had gotten to the point where Libya recognized that possessing WMD was indeed counter-productive. ¶13. (U) Amb. Javits added that assistance and protection under Article 10 is a factor that can entice non-SPs to consider joining. The DG concurred, noting that many SPs, especially smaller nations, are focused on the training and network of solidarity that is available from the OPCW. Raising another matter, Alexander Khodakov, Director of the Secretariat of the Policy-Making Organs, stated that the CWC SIPDIS is geared to States Parties, not non-state actors. This is an area that may need more attention in the future. The DG added that this is particularly significant in the area of OPCW efforts to make a contribution to anti-terrorism efforts. ¶14. (U) U/S Joseph has cleared this message. ¶15. (U) Javits sends. BLAKEMAN