CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): WRAP-UP FOR THE

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000909 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 DICASAGRANDE WINPAC FOR WALTER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL CWC SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): WRAP-UP FOR THE WEEK ENDING APRIL 21 This is CWC-34-06. -------------- ARTICLE VII -------------- ¶1. (U) Facilitator Maarten Lak (Netherlands),assisted by International Cooperation and Assistance chief John Makhubalo and Legal Advisor Santiago Onate, held a April 20 informal consultation on Article VII. Onate began with an update for delegations on developments in the National Authority (NA) arena. The number of states without a NA has stayed the same, as the previously reported establishment of Liberia's NA was found to be questionable. (One person in the Ministry of Justice was nominated, but because a new government was just elected, it is not clear whether the person will remain in his post or whether the new government would want this individual to head its NA if he is no longer in government service.) The good news: on April 20, Tanzania notified the Technical Secretariat that it had established its NA. Hence the overall number remained the same. ¶2. (U) Lak then distributed two documents, the current list of those without NAs and the list of IPB Technical Assistance Visits from January 1 - April 18, 2006 (faxed to ISN/CB). The U.S. delegation informed delegations of its potential TAV activity in May and June. Colombia announced that it has made offers of assistance to Honduras, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. New Zealand announced that it made a voluntary contribution to support implementation activities in the Pacific Island Forum states, for use by former TS official Keith Wilson, now based in Australia. ¶3. (U) Lak then asked delegations what elements he should include in the upcoming EC-45 report language. At this point, delegations (Mexico, India, Iran, UK, and Colombia) intervened to note that there had been no agenda for the meeting, and that they were unprepared to consider this topic. Furthermore, they stated that there are too many meetings, and requested that the upcoming April 25 meeting be canceled. Delegations need time to get feedback from capitals. The U.S. noted that in order to consider EC-45 language, delegations needed to know the situation of each state, including whether or not there might be mitigating factors. Hopefully, the expected progress report will provide the information necessary for delegations to make informed decisions regarding the way forward. The next meeting is scheduled for May 2. (Note: the agenda was received Monday, April 24.) --- VIS --- ¶4. (U) On March 16, delreps were given an unofficial demonstration of the Verification Information System (VIS). The VIS component being developed for States Parties (SPs) to submit industry declarations electronically will be web-based, and it has been audited and approved by the Security Audit Team for OCPF and AND data. The VIS will allow users to search for keywords and country names, to check declarations for errors and post warnings in the vent of discrepancies, and to track requests for clarifications. In addition to industry declaration data submitted by SPs, the VIS will allow inspectors to enter inspected site data, which analysts will then be able to compare against declared information. Only cleared OPCW staff with need-to-know will operate the VIS. It will not be accessible to any delegates or unapproved TS staff. The system developers anticipate the system will be ready to incorporate and assess Schedules 1, 2, and 3 facilities by late 2006. ¶5. (U) The VIS developers remain ahead of schedule, but some obstacles could slow progress. There are currently 3 OPCW staff members working on the VIS development, but none work on it exclusively. The staff also could benefit from attendance at a Microsoft Visual Studio workshop, but the OPCW lacks the resources to send staff to training workshops. The OPCW also lacks resources for training National Authorities in electronic submission of industry declarations. ¶6. (U) Javits sends. ARNALL