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.

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SUMMARY
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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.

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U.S. SUPPORT AND DESTRUCTION PROGRAM
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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.

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HIRING AMERICAN CITIZENS
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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

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UNIVERSALITY
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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.

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GENERAL TOPICS
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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