AZERBAIJAN EXPECTS PARLIAMENT TO TAKE UP CWC IN

UNCLAS BAKU 000740 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR ISN/CB FOR KEVIN FARMER; EUR/CARC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PGOV PREL CWC OPC CBW BWC AJ UN SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN EXPECTS PARLIAMENT TO TAKE UP CWC IN FALL SESSION; REQUESTS ASSISTANCE WITH CONVENTION TRANSLATION REF: A. A. STATE 184057 ¶B. B) BAHL/POLASCHIK EMAIL OF 6/11/07 ¶1. (U) This is an action request, see paragraph 4. ¶2. (U) Poloff addressed outstanding Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) issues with Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs Security Affairs Department Deputy Director Yusuf Mammadaliyev on June 13. Mammadaliyev said that the Legislation required to ensure Azerbaijan's full compliance with the CWC would likely be addressed by the parliament during its Winter session, which is scheduled to start in October 2007. Azerbaijan has submitted the initial draft of its national plan to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Mammadaliyev said that the GOAJ is working with the OPCW on the draft national plan, and that it has been revised twice. Mammadaliyev noted that he will serve as the national authority focal point with the OPCW. ¶3. (U) Mammadaliyev also said that the treaty still needed to be translated into the Azerbaijani language, and suggested that the United States and Azerbaijan share the cost of this project. He said that local estimates of the translation were approximately USD 5,000 in mid-2006, but that they may have increased slightly since then. ¶4. (U) Comment and Action Request: Per ref b, we understand that ISN may have funds available to translate the CWC into Azerbaijani. We note that the MFA is requesting a cost share, and not/not that the USG provide the full amount. We estimate that USD 3000 would be sufficient, and seek the Department's guidance on the availability of funds. Finally, we note that because the Azerbaijani Government requires that all official documents be written in the Azerbaijani language, we believe provision of a Russian-language version of the CWC would not be appropriate. We greatly appreciate the Department's assistance. DERSE