DELAYS IN THE ALBANIAN CHEMICAL WEAPONS

UNCLAS TIRANA 000747 SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D C O P Y ("THE HAGUE" ADDRESS ADDED) SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/SCE (BENEDICT, SAINZ) EUR/PRA, ISN/CB (FERGUSON),ISN/NDF (PAULSON),THE HAGUE FOR CW DEL (ROBINSON),OSD FOR CTR POLICY (CHAPMAN),DTRA (DAWN BROWN, PATRICK CHRISTIAN) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR MASS MOPS PARM PREL SENV AL SUBJECT: DELAYS IN THE ALBANIAN CHEMICAL WEAPONS ELIMINATION PROGRAM REF: TIRANA 00376 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Preparations for the Albanian Chemical Weapons Elimination Program have been delayed due to damage sustained during testing of the destruction equipment and required modifications to the system. The delays have resulted in the postponement of the start of operations at the destruction facility until October 2006. Full completion of the destruction of the chemical agents by April 29, 2007 is still predicted. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) The proposed start of operations for the destruction of Albania's stockpile of chemical weapons, scheduled to have begun in July 2006, has been deferred due to delays in the delivery of the Eisenmann Thermal Treatment System (ETTS). During tests of the ETTS in Stuttgart, Germany, in April, the incineration equipment to be used in the Albanian CW destruction was damaged. The damage was caused by excess heat and pressure buildup encountered due to operator error, which prevented cooling water from reaching the combustion gas quench system. Modifications to the ETTS are being made at the Eisenmann facility to minimize the possibility of a repeat occurrence. ¶3. (SBU) Albania's MOD, in consultation with Department of Defense, has decided to adjust the destruction schedule. To make up for lost time and avoid increased funding costs with further testing in the Eisenmann facility in Germany, it has been decided to proceed with the delivery of the ETTS to Albania starting late June 2006. Further modification and testing will take place once the destruction equipment has been set up at the site. ¶4. (SBU) The Technical Secretariat (TS),Organization of Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, has been officially notified by the Albanian MOD for the postponement and rescheduling of the treaty milestones required under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The most significant is the rescheduling of the Final Engineering Review (FER),during which the TS will confirm the adequacy of planned verification measures. The FER was originally set for late June 2006, but now is expected to occur at the end of September 2006. Destruction operations are expected to begin in mid-October 2006. ¶5. (SBU) COMMENT: Even with the delay of the start-up of destruction operations at the facility, it is anticipated that the CWC deadline of April 29, 2007 for complete destruction of the chemical agents will be met. RIES