CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): EXTENSION

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 002487 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN/CB, VCI/CCB, L/ACV, IO/S SECDEF FOR OSD/ISP JOINTSTAFF 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): EXTENSION REQUEST -- PROPOSED TEXT ON VISITS This is CWC-105-06. ¶1. (U) On November 20, Ambassador Javits, Ambassador Parker (UK) and Ambassador Gevorgian (Russia) reached agreement on the text in para 2 on a draft decision document concerning visits by Executive Council representatives to CW destruction facilities. Delegation believes the text is in accordance with existing guidance and submits it to Washington. ¶2. (U) Begin Text of Draft Decision Document: Draft Decision on Visits by Representatives of the Executive Council to Chemical Weapons Destruction Facilities The Executive Council, Recalling that, pursuant to Article 1, paragraph 2 of the Chemical Weapons Convention (hereinafter the &Convention8), each State Party undertakes to destroy chemical weapons it owns or possesses in accordance with the provisions of the Convention; Recalling also that, according to Article IV, paragraph 6 of the Convention each State Party shall destroy all chemical weapons specified in paragraph 1 of that Article pursuant to the Verification Annex to the Convention (hereinafter the &Verification Annex8) and in accordance with the agreed rate and sequence of destruction; Bearing in mind the stipulations in Part IV (A),paragraph 26 of the Verification Annex that any extension shall be the minimum necessary, and that in no case shall the deadline for a State Party to complete the destruction of its chemical weapons be extended beyond 15 years after entry into force of the Convention (29 April 2012); Bearing in mind also the stipulation in the same paragraph that the Executive Council (hereinafter the &Council8) shall set conditions for the granting of the extension, including the specific verification measures deemed necessary, as well as specific actions to be taken by the State Party to overcome problems in its destruction programme; Taking into account the difficulties that States Parties possessing chemical weapons stockpiles face in the destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles; Welcoming the proposal to organise visits by the Council Chairperson and representatives of Council members to Chemical Weapons Destruction Facilities and/or CWDF construction sites as an opportunity for members of the Executive Council to consider progress and efforts towards meeting extended deadlines, and any measures being taken to overcome possible problems in a destruction programme in accordance with Part IV (A),paragraph 26 of the Verification Annex; Noting that such visits, offered by States Parties voluntarily, could be a useful additional transparency and confidence building measure on the part of States Parties possessing chemical weapons stockpiles; Welcoming the understanding of both the United States and Russian Federation that each will host such visits periodically, preferably with each relevant facility being visited at least once during the extension period; The Council Agrees that such visits should take place, as a means of addressing questions or concerns about a State Party,s destruction programme that relate to its extended deadlines; Requests the Council Chairperson to consult with the State Party concerned and agree on the detailed arrangements for each specific visit (e.g. site location(s),timing, schedule, itinerary, composition of visiting group, and safety requirements); Determines that the visits should be carried out without disruption to the destruction activities and with full observance of the destruction facilities, safety procedures; Decides that the visiting groups should comprise: the Council Chairperson (or a Vice-Chairperson); a representative from each of the other regional groups; a representative from another State Party hosting such visits; a senior representative from the Technical Secretariat; and, if necessary, a Technical Secretariat interpreter; Agrees that the visits should include discussions with senior representatives of relevant authorities about the State Party,s destruction programme. Decides that the Technical Secretariat shall cover the costs of its own staff and the Council Chairperson (or a Vice-Chairperson) and that all other participants shall meet their own costs; Requests the Council Chairperson (or a Vice-Chairperson) to coordinate preparation by the group of their Report on the particular visit; Decides that the host State Party shall have an opportunity to review and comment on the draft Report, prior to its submission to the Council, and to attach to it any additional information for the Council,s consideration. End text of draft decision document. ¶3. (U) Javits sends. ARNALL