Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06THEHAGUE909
2006-04-25 15:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): WRAP-UP FOR THE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTC #0909/01 1151522 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 251522Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5514 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 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
-----------
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
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