NETHERLANDS: DUTCH VIEWS ON FMCT, BWC, INDIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002046 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN/CB, EUR/UBI E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2016 TAGS: MNUC PARM PREL KNNP NL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: DUTCH VIEWS ON FMCT, BWC, INDIAN NUCLEAR AGREEMENT Classified By: POLCOUNS Andrew Schofer, reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Washington-based Poloff Robert Blum paid a courtesy call on new MFA Head of Nuclear Affairs and Non-Proliferation Henk Cor van der Kwast on September 15. Topics of conversation included recent EU efforts regarding the Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT),the upcoming Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Review Conference, Dutch views on the U.S.-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, and the Dutch request to be more involved in the North Korean nuclear impasse. End summary. FMCT -------------- ¶2. (C) Van der Kwast related recent FMCT efforts in the EU, noting an Italian proposal supported by the GONL that calls for three steps: 1) an EU declaration on a way forward regarding FMCT; 2) continued FMCT discussion in the Conference on Disarmament (CD); and a hard look at FMCT verification methods. On the latter point, van der Kwast said EU members were awaiting input from Germany and the IAEA on how an effective verification regime might be accomplished. Van der Kwast noted that while not all EU members agree with the Italian proposal, there was consensus to begin FMCT negotiations in the CD. BWC --- ¶3. (C) Blum turned to the upcoming Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Review Conference, reiterating U.S. opposition to creating a stand-alone BWC Secretariat, but also acknowledging the need to help BWC States Parties interested in implementation but limited by funding. MFA Policy Advisor for Nuclear Affairs and Non-Proliferation Wouter Wormgoor stressed the importance of providing assistance under Article 10. He said the EU will make the argument during the RevCon for a more coordinated approach to BWC implementation by making better use of the current BWC Secretariat. This might involve assigning it additional SIPDIS tasks in the field of implementation support, including: -- Assisting States Parties in their efforts to promote universal adherence to the Convention, including through liaising with non-States Parties, and attending universality related events; -- Acting as a States Parties' "clearing house" to match requests for and offers of assistance in such areas as national implementation, submission of confidence building measures (CBMs,) and bio security and preparedness; -- Maintaining a collection of existing national implementing legislation as a reference tool; -- Collecting and circulating to States Parties annual CBMs, transmitting reminders for CBM submissions, and providing basic advice on CBM preparation and submission; and -- Continuing to support the intercessional process. ¶4. (C) Wormgoor said the GONL has drafted a proposal to augment the Secretariat; he argued the above tasks could be organized within the current structure with the addition of possibly two UN-based persons in Geneva. He stressed that the GONL was not wedded to a staff increase -- agreement on the concept was more important. Blum, noting that there was now an open BWC internet site run by the Secretariat, suggested it might be more useful if it were password-protected. ¶5. (C) On intercessional work, Wormgoor pointed to the need to improve the code of conduct for scientists. He acknowledged that he had not seen any new proposals or elements, and suggested that States Parties' redlines might be a topic for further conversation. Asked on EU thinking regarding the intercessional work program between 2007 and 2011, Wormgoor said the UK was working on proposals but he was unaware of specifics. U.S.-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement -------------- ¶6. (C) Blum asked for an updated Dutch view on the U.S.-India Nuclear Cooperative Agreement. Van der Kwast reiterated Dutch concerns that the agreement might serve to undermine the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) regime. On the one hand, he acknowledged, the 30-year old NPT has a number of loopholes that have been exploited by Iran, India, and North Korea. On the other hand, van der Kwast said, the Dutch remain concerned that this new agreement might lead to others with countries with unproven non-proliferation track records, such as Pakistan. ¶7. (C) Van der Kwast said the GONL suspected the agreement will pass through the U.S. Congress; the next step will be to gain unanimous NSG support. He suggested not enough was being down in the NSG to lay the ground work to support the agreement, especially with regard to India's ability to implement it. He said India must do more to convince others, but thus far, has fallen back on domestic political excuses. North Korea -------------- ¶8. (C) Pointing to significant Dutch contributions through the Cato Institute, Van der Kwast said the GONL would like to be more involved with efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear impasse. He said this might include a role on the margins of the 6-Party talks -- pressure from outside those countries involved in theQs miQuseQ Q(U) VanQast noQd QQQnds to travel to Washington on November 15, and appreciated any assistance Blum might be able to provide in obtaining appointments. ARNALL