Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06THEHAGUE2602
2006-12-13 15:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): WRAP-UP FOR

Tags:  PARM PREL CWC 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0045
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTC #2602/01 3471536
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 131536Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7674
INFO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS THE HAGUE 002602 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR 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 LEDDY
WINPAC FOR WALTER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL CWC
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): WRAP-UP FOR
ELEVENTH CONFERENCE OF THE STATES PARTIES (CSP-11),
DECEMBER 5-8, 2006

REF: STATE 194517 (NOTAL)

This is CWC-112-06.

-------
SUMMARY
-------

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 002602

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR 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 LEDDY
WINPAC FOR WALTER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL CWC
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): WRAP-UP FOR
ELEVENTH CONFERENCE OF THE STATES PARTIES (CSP-11),
DECEMBER 5-8, 2006

REF: STATE 194517 (NOTAL)

This is CWC-112-06.

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (U) The Conference approved the U.S. request for an
extension of its 100% destruction deadline to April 29, 2012.
It also approved the Russian 100% destruction deadline
request to 2012 and an accompanying decision regarding site
visits that concerns the U.S. and Russia. Iran dragged the
process through until late on the last day of the CSP, but
ultimately joined consensus on both extension requests and
the site visit decision. Approval was also reached on the
2007 OPCW budget. The point of contention had been the
number of inspections of other chemical production
facilities, and the compromise agreement was 118 OCPF
inspections. Finally, an effort by some NAM delegations (led
by Iran) to have an action plan on Article XI implementation
was rejected by Western delegations, who agreed on the need
to first select an Article XI facilitator. End Summary.

--------------
U.S. EXTENSION REQUEST
--------------


2. (U) After a week of negotiations, primarily the result of
the Iranian desire to maintain pressure on the U.S. as long
as possible, the extension request "package" (U.S. and
Russian extension request and site visit draft decision) were
gaveled through the special EC and the CSP late Friday
evening. The bilateral negotiations were complicated by
Indian intransigence on the site visit document. Citing
"concern that the decision be in accordance with the
Convention, and easily understood," and clearly motivated by
a desire to preclude any possibility of EC visits to the
Indian destruction facility, the Indian delegation dragged
site visit discussions late into Thursday night, finally
suggesting compromise language that also satisfied the
Russian stipulation that the document be seen as "universal,"
i.e. applying to all possessor states. The UK, France and
Germany, who had played a significant role in all but the
final discussions, were satisfied with the text as finally
agreed.


3. (U) The Iranian delegation focused on extracting every

possible reference to the U.S. obligation to meet the final
deadline of 2012 in the U.S. draft decision. Iran seized
upon a reference in the original U.S. text to the role of the
Conference, and negotiations later in the week centered on
leveraging the Russian refusal to include similar text in the
Russian draft decision to work instead on compromise report
language. In the end, report language agreed by Iran
followed the section on extension requests, applied to all
possessor states requesting an extension of their deadline to
complete 100% destruction, and simply requested that the DG
report on an annual basis, so the Conference could review the
progress of CW destruction (avoiding problematic references
to "taking appropriate action" or "making recommendations").

--------------
2007 BUDGET
--------------


4. (U) The CSP adopted the budget after a compromise was
reached on issue of Article VI inspections, the last
outstanding issue. The compromise, negotiated by the Vice
Chair for Administrative and Budgetary Issues, Iranian
Ambassador Ziaran, will result in 11 Schedule 1 inspections,
42 Schedule 2 inspections, 30 Schedule 3 inspections, and 118
OCPF inspections. The compromise also resulted in EC report
language calling for industry consultations to address the
frequency of inspections for different categories of Article
VI facilities in the future

--------------


ARTICLE XI
--------------


5. (U) Although the CSP had no reportto note or other
documents to use to assess the implementation of the Article
XI decision approved last year (C-10/DEC.14 dated 11 November
2005),a number of NAM delegations (Algeria, Brazil, China,
Ecuador, India, Mexico, Pakistan, and Venezuela,) increased
their calls for naming a facilitator to oversee consultations
on the full implementation of Article XI and deplored
restriction regimes on economic development. Cuba and Iran
additionally called for the negotiation of an Article XI
Action Plan in 2007. Iran reminded delegations of its view
that western negotiators had promised to disband the
Australia Group after EIF, and called for the development of
an export control regime under OPCW auspices.


6. (U) Western delegations supported the call for a
facilitator, with Germany reminding participants that
unfortunately the NAM had been unable to find a volunteer
willing to facilitate consultations in 2006. Western
delegations noted that they did not support negotiations of
an Action Plan, saying that the EC had yet to view
implementation of the CSP decision. The NAM prepared text
calling for the EC as a priority to name a facilitator, so
that consultations could begin which would submit concrete
proposals to the CSP-12. After a few small changes, the text
was approved by the CSP.


7. (U) The results of other items on the CSP agenda are
noted below with numbering taken from the annotated
provisional agenda for CSP-11.

--------------
ITEM TWO: ELECTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON
--------------


8. (U) Ambassador Alfonso Dastis (Spain) was elected
chairman.

--------------
ITEM THREE: ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRPERSONS
--------------


9. (U) The Vice-Chairpersons were Algeria, Chile, Cuba,
Iran, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Sudan, Sweden and the U.S.

--------------
ITEM FOUR: ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
--------------


10. (U) The agenda was adopted without debate.

--------------
ITEM FIVE: ORGANIZATION OF WORK
--------------


11. (U) The CSP adopted the recommendations of the General
Committee.

--------------
ITEM SIX: CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
--------------


12. (U) The CSP appointed Austria, Bolivia, Cameroon,
Croatia, Ecuador, Finland, Namibia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia
and Slovakia to the Committee.

--------------
ITEM SEVEN: STATEMENT BY DIRECTOR-GENERAL
--------------


13. (U) Director-General Pfirter began his comments by
referring to the destruction of Category 1 chemical weapons,
in particular the U.S. and Russian extension requests. He
said the visits were a means of addressing political
questions regarding the destruction programs and they should
remain separate from inspections. He also mentioned the


extensions requested by Albania, Libya, India, A State Party,
China and Japan, and Italy. The DG reported that 179
inspections have been completed so far this year. He
reiterated his belief that the proposed number of Article VII
inspections in the 2007 budget is necessary to bring the
verification effort to acceptable levels as soon as possible.



14. (U) Pfirter said nearly all SPs have established a
National Authority and most are working on national
legislation. He noted support given to implementation
efforts, in particular by the U.S. He announced the databank
of information, required under Article X, is online and is
available to member states. The DG appealed to SPs to
continue making voluntary contributions, which fund items
like the Associate Program, which in the last 7 years has
benefited 132 people from 78 SPs. He announced the departure
in March 2007 of John Makhubalo as Director of International
Cooperation and Assistance. His successor would be
Ambassador Kalimi M. Mworia (Kenya),the first woman to serve
in the top management of the Technical Secretariat.


15. (U) On the 2007 budget, the DG said SPs will have a
reduction on annual contributions of 1.7%. Though the budget
is negative zero-nominal-growth, they have not cut programs,
noting that ICA funding is nearly 10% higher than in 2005.
He said the payment plan for arrears would bring the OPCW
into line with other UN organizations, and urged SPs to meet
financial obligations to the OPCW in full and on time. On
tenure policy, he appreciated the additional flexibility
granted by delegations. The DG expressed his pleasure that
at 181 SPs, the OPCW has exceeded the target of 180 by
CSP-10, and there are only 14 non-SPs. The DG was pleased at
the response of the Mediterranean Basin conference in Rome,
adding that universality in the Middle East should not be
dependent on an overall solution in the region.


16. (U) Pfirter told delegations new challenges are being
generated by developments in science and technology. He
referred to nanotechnology and micro-reactors, which create
new conditions and new demands on industry verification. He
said preparations for the Second RevCon in April 2008 are
continuing, and they are beginning to move into the
substantive phase of work. The TS is continuing work on the
Tenth Anniversary of the CWC for events in The Hague and
elsewhere. The full text of the DG's statement is available
on the external server.

--------------
ITEM EIGHT: GENERAL DEBATE
--------------


17. (U) The usual themes were raised, with particular
emphasis on destruction and Article XI. Nearly all
delegations stressed concern about destruction by the major
possessors and urged them to complete destruction by 2012.
Most noted that if this was not done, it would bring the
integrity and credibility of the CWC into question. Few
delegations mentioned the visits issue specifically, though
they did say full transparency should be part of the
extension requests. The second major point, made by every
NAM delegation, was the full implementation of Article XI.
In uncanny unison, they called for the right of developing
countries to promote international cooperation through the
transfer of technology, material and equipment for peaceful
purposes, stating that it is enshrined in the CWC. Most
notably, some delegations (particularly Iran) asked for an
Action Plan.


18. (U) The Iranian Foreign Minister, H.E. Dr. Manouchehr
Mottaki, gave their national statement. He expressed strong
support for the CWC and OPCW, citing Iran's experience with
CW used against their citizens by Iraq. He said Iran wants
to set up a support network to mobilize international care
for CW victims to address their special needs. He advocated
penalties for the people and companies who sell CW materials,
and said there are 400 European and U.S. countries that
provided or transferred chemical agents to Iraq. The rest of


the speech followed along the lines of other NAM statements
and was FAXed to ISN/CB.


19. (U) Most delegations indicated their approval of the DG's
new policy on tenure extensions. NAM delegations linked this
to better geographic representation of TS jobs. Most women
Ambassadors applauded the hiring of Amb. Mworia as the new
ICA director and urged the DG to continue to look at women
for further top-level positions. Delegations expressed
pleasure that 181 countries had acceded to the CWC, and noted
there is still a lot of work to do, particularly in the
Middle East. Most delegations also reiterated their approval
the extension of the Article VII action plan through another
year. Most delegations also supported a ZNG budget, though
some (mostly NAM) countries were unhappy with the idea of a
negative ZNG budget, stating any extra funds should be
funneled into ICA programs. A number of countries, both in
WEOG, Asia Group, and GRULAC, stressed the need for a better
OCPF site selection methodology. Most delegations also
mentioned work being done to prepare for the Second RevCon
and the importance of the Tenth Anniversary to highlight the
accomplishments of the OPCW.


20. (U) Japan said they were working hard to address
abandoned CW in China; China acknowledged Japan's hard work,
but reiterated the need for Japan to work harder. Japan and
Australia were also concerned about late submissions and
transfer discrepancies. Cuba again decried the U.S. blockade
as illegal. Copies of the available national statements were
pouched the ISN/CB; most will be available on the OPCW
website, www.opcw.org.

--------------
ITEM NINE: STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION
--------------


21. (U) 9.1 and 9.2: Article VII. The CSP considered the
report on the status of implementation of Article VII (as of
1 November 2006) and approved the decision containing the
Council's recommendation without discussion. It should be
noted that the CSP decision does not contain the EC-specific
elements that were in the EC decision text.


22. (U) Following the gaveling through of this CSP decision,
Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Christopher Padilla,
addressed the CSP to review U.S. efforts in providing Article
VII implementation assistance to other SPs. These efforts
include Technical Assistance Visits and various outreach
products - the Implementation Assistance Program (IAP),
released in English, Spanish and French, and the new Global
Chemical Industry Compliance Program, which were made
available to delegations during the CSP. His statement also
introduced a new strategy to ensure that essentially 100
percent of declarable industrial chemical activities occur
within SPs that have fully met their Article VII obligations
within the Tenth Anniversary. This would be done by focusing
our outreach effort on approximately 20 SPs with significant
chemical production and trade that have yet to fully meet
these obligations.


23. (U) A/S Padilla held bilateral meetings with the
following delegations to discuss this new initiative: the
Philippines, Mexico, Indonesia, China, India, Australia,
Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany, and Japan. His message
was very well-received by all SPs except for Mexico. (Note:
Later discussions between Ambassador Javits and Mexican
Ambassador Fuentes revealed that the Mexican industry will
benefit greatly from industry-to-industry interaction, as
long as caution is taken in how this is packaged.) The
Philippines asked for U.S. support of an industry outreach
seminar in Manila in early 2007, and Indonesia asked for
continuing dialogue for further industry-related support.


24. (U) In meetings with the DG and Legal Adviser Onate,
there was clear support for this initiative and commitment to
TS support in providing data, outreach, etc. Article VII

SIPDIS
facilitator Ambassador Lak (Netherlands) also supported this
initiative and recommended establishing a small group of


like-minded delegations to prioritize and organize our
outreach efforts. Several delegations have already shown
interest in participating in such a group. China requested
A/S Padilla further discuss this initiative in early 2007 in
China as part of a planned visit.


25. (U) 9.3: Confidentiality. The CSP noted the report by
the DG on the implementation of the regime governing the
handling of confidential material by the TS in 2006.


26. (U) 9.4: A State Party's Deadline Extension. The CSP
approved without comment A State Party's request to extend
its deadline for completion of destruction of its chemical
weapons stockpiles to December 31, 2008.


27. (U) 9.5: Indian Extension Request. The CSP approved
without comment India's request to extend its deadline for
completion of destruction of its chemical weapons stockpiles
to April 28, 2009.


28. (U) 9.6: Libyan Extension Request. The CSP approved
without comment Libya's request to extend its intermediate
destruction deadlines to May 1, 2010 (1%),July 1, 2010 (20%)
and November 1, 2010 (45%) and its deadline for completion of
destruction of its chemical weapons stockpiles to December
31, 2011.


29. (U) 9.7: U.S. Extension Request. Noted above.


30. (U) 9.8: Russian Extension Request. Noted above.


31. (U) 9.9: Albanian Extension Request. The CSP approved
without comment the Albanian request to extend its
intermediate deadlines to January 15, 2007 (1%),January 31,
2007 (20%) and February 28, 2007 (45%).


32. (U) 9.10: Visits to Possessors. Noted above. Upon the
recommendation of EC-M-26, the CSP adopted a decision
outlining the (originally UK) proposal for members of the EC
to conduct visits to CW destruction facilities in the U.S.
and Russia, beginning no later than 2008.

-------------- --------------
ITEM TEN: ANNUAL REPORT OF THE OPCW ON IMPLEMENTATION
-------------- --------------


33. (U) The CSP considered and approved the report of the
OPCW without discussion.

-------------- --------------
ITEM ELEVEN: ANNUAL REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
-------------- --------------


34. (U) The CSP noted the report on the performance of the
EC's activities for the period from 2 July 2005 to 7 July

2006. The report was introduced by the Chairperson of the
Council, Ambassador Hlengiwe Buhle Mkhize of South Africa,
who also elaborated upon EC recommendations requiring
attention since the 7 July cut-off date.

-------------- --------------
ITEM TWELVE: ELECTION OF MEMBER STATES TO THE EC
-------------- --------------


35. (U) The CSP elected 21 members for the following elective
places on the EC for a two year term starting on 12 May 2007:
Africa (Cameroon, Ghana, Lesotho, Sudan, and Tunisia); Asia
(China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, and Saudi
Arabia); Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, Czech Republic); Latin
America and the Caribbean (Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico);
and WEOG (U.S., France, Germany, Italy, and UK).

--------------
ITEM THIRTEEN: PROGRAMME AND BUDGET
--------------


36. (U) 13.1: Draft Programme and Budget. Noted above.



37. (U) 13.2: Medium-Term Plan for 2007 to 2009. The plan
was noted without comment.

--------------
ITEM FOURTEEN: SCALE OF ASSESSMENTS
--------------


38. (U) The CSP adopted the decision on the scale of
assessments without comment.

-------------- --------------
ITEM FIFTEEN: EXTERNAL AUDITOR'S REPORT FOR 2005
-------------- --------------


39. (U) The CSP noted the report of the External Auditor, as
well as the EC's comments, without comment.

-------------- --------------
ITEM SIXTEEN: ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL MATTERS
-------------- --------------


40. (U) 16.1: Regularization of Payment Dues to OPCW. The
CSP approved the plan without comment.


41. (U) 16.2: Report of the OIO for 2005. The CSP noted the
report, as well as the DG's note on the report without
comment. The CSP also noted the comments on the OIO report
found in the Forty-Fifth Session of the EC (paragraphs 10.2
and 10.3 of EC-45/2, dated May 19, 2006).


42. (U) 16.3: Amendments to Financial Regulations. The CSP
considered and adopted the amendments without comment.


43. (U) 16.4: Transfers of Funds Between Programmes in 2005.
The CSP noted the note without comment.


44. (U) 16.5: Future Implementation of Tenure Policy. The
CSP decided to amend paragraph 1(c) of C-SS-2/DEC.1, thereby
granting the DG the right to extend employment contracts in
exceptional circumstances beyond the seven year tenure period
until April 29, 2012.

--------------
ITEM SEVENTEEN: ARTICLE XI
--------------


45. (U) Noted above.

--------------
ITEM EIGHTEEN: UNIVERSALITY
--------------


46. (U) The CSP noted the annual report by the DG and adopted
the decision concerning the plan of action (C-11/DEC/CRP.14,
dated 5 December 2006) without comment. The facilitator for
this topic, Sad Moussi (Algeria) gave a brief report on
recent activities, including the recent seminar in Rome.
However, he failed to note, as he had promised the U.S.
delegation he would, that certain delegations had sought
numerical targets in the decision text.

--------------
ITEM NINETEEN: OPCW OFFICE IN AFRICA
--------------


47. (U) The report language was approved without discussion.

--------------
ITEM TWENTY: REPORTS OF SUBSIDIARY BODIES
--------------


48. (U) 20.1: Committee of the Whole. The CSP approved the
report of the Committee without comment.


49. (U) 20.2: General Committee. The CSP approved the report
of the Committee without comment.


50. (U) 20.3 and 20.4: Confidentiality Commission. The CSP


noted and approved the report of the Eight Meeting of the
Commission. The CSP elected 20 members of the 5 Regional
Groups by acclamation for the next 2 year term (beginning
January 2007).


51. (U) 20.5: Credentials Committee. The CSP considered and
approved the report of the Committee on the credentials of
the newly elected Representatives to CSP-11.

--------------
ITEM TWENTY-ONE: ANY OTHER BUSINESS
--------------


52. (U) The CSP adopted a decision on the establishment of a
Committee on Relations with the Host Country without comment.


--------------
ITEM TWENTY-TWO: DATES OF MEETINGS
--------------


53. (U) 22.1: CSP-12. The Conference agreed that CSP-12 will
be on November 5-9, 2007.


54. (U) 22.2: Second Revcon. The CSP agreed that this will
be on April 7-18, 2008.


55. (U) 22.3: CSP-13. The Conference agreed that CSP-13 will
be on December 2-5, 2008, as sought by the U.S.


56. (U) Javits sends.
ARNALL