Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07THEHAGUE104
2007-01-19 16:20:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): U.S. PRIORITIES

Tags:  PARM PREL CWC 
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VZCZCXYZ0020
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTC #0104/01 0191620
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 191620Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7918
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 000104 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
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): U.S. PRIORITIES
FOR 2007

This is CWC-06-07.

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

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000104

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
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): U.S. PRIORITIES
FOR 2007

This is CWC-06-07.

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


1. (U) While 2006 was dominated by the extension of the U.S.
100% destruction deadline, there will be a number of key
issues of importance to the U.S. in 2007. Article VII will
remain a critical policy objective throughout the year, with
the focus on practical steps to promote full implementation.
Early in 2007, it will be necessary to ensure that Iran,
currently the only member of the Asian Group angling for the
position, does not become the Chair of the Executive Council.
Reaching agreement on an acceptable site selection
methodology for Other Chemical Production Facilities remains
an important goal. It is likely that there will be a
discussion of end-point of destruction before the Russian 20%
intermediate deadline comes up in April; there is already a
dispute as to the amount of its stockpile Russia claims has
been "destroyed." Delegation also urges Washington to assess
early in the year whether the U.S. may not make its 45%
destruction deadline in order to submit the subsequent
request for extension before July 1, 2007.


2. (U) On budget matters, it will be important to make the
case to the Director General on the benefits of submitting a
zero nominal growth budget for 2008. And preparations for
that budget will include returning in the spring to a
wide-ranging discussion on the appropriate number of OCPF
inspections. In connection with the celebrations marking the
Tenth Anniversary of entry into force of the Convention, the
del will continue to assist the Technical Secretariat in
using the event to raise the profile of the OPCW. In the
second half of 2007, it will be necessary to focus more
attention on the preparations for the Second Review
Conference in April 2008. And it will continue to be
important to press the TS to improve its capabilities to
conduct investigations of alleged use. These and other
issues are addressed below in roughly descending order of
priority. End Summary.

--------------
ARTICLE VII
--------------


3. (U) Full implementation of Article VII remains a key

priority, but the focus of the work throughout 2007 will be
somewhat different from past years. Until the autumn, there
should be few, if any, "policy" issues which need to be
discussed in consultations. Instead, the goal is to
intensify concrete actions by the TS or individual States
Parties toward countries that still fall short on Article
VII. The speech by Commerce A/S Padilla at the Conference of
States Parties on Article VII with specific proposals ("20 in
10") received a good response, and provides a solid
foundation on which to build.


4. (U) During a bilateral meeting with A/S Padilla, Amb.
Maarten Lak (Netherlands) offered to help organize a small
group of delegations that would be willing to reach out to
those "20" in Technical Assistance Visits and in other ways.
This would allow the workload to be well-organized and
logically divided among those States Parties. In A/S
Padilla's other bilateral meetings, several other delegations
pointed out their ongoing efforts and expressed their
willingness to be part of this outreach effort -- notably,
China, Japan, Australia, and Germany. Del will work closely
with this small group early in the year to organize our
efforts, while coordinating with Washington on what efforts
we can undertake.


5. (U) Del will continue working with the TS, particularly
Legal Advisor Onate, on their schedule of activities and
prompt them to reach out to other SPs to conduct or assist on
Technical Assistance Visits and other concrete steps. In
addition, it will probably be advisable to convince
facilitator Amb. Maarten Lak (Netherlands) to keep the number

of consultations until the autumn to an absolute minimum,
since consultations will only provide delegations such as
Iran an opportunity to question and block specific TS
actions. Certainly by the September EC, it will be necessary
to engage on the issue of an extension or follow-on Article
VII action in 2008. However, del sees no advantage to
raising this issue until the fall.

--------------
AVOIDING AN IRANIAN EC CHAIRMANSHIP
--------------


6. (SBU) The Chairmanship of the EC, currently held by South
Africa, will fall next to the Asian Group. Del has been
informed by members of that group that only Iran has made a
strong pitch to be EC Chair. While Iran has been a
Vice-Chair for a number of years, it is clear that serving as
the EC Chair is not acceptable, particularly in view of the
active role the EC Chair may take in 2007 in arranging visits
to U.S. and Russian CW destruction facilities.


7. (SBU) As the new EC Chair will be installed in April, it
will be necessary to begin work immediately to block an
Iranian Chairmanship. Informally, members of other
delegations (such as the UK) have agreed that it would not be
possible to accept an Iranian chairmanship. And there is
little reason to believe that the Iranian Ambassador would be
surprised to hear of objections from the U.S. and other SPs.
As for alternative candidates from the Asian Group, the
larger delegations (Japan, China) have indicated they would
not want the job. One possibility is Malaysian Ambassador
Dato Noor Farida Ariffin, who had previously served
effectively as the CSP Chair. However, it is not clear how
much longer she will remain in The Hague. The South Korean
Ambassador is another possibility. Del will keep Washington
apprised of discussions with the various possible candidates
to serve as EC Chair.

--------------
OCPF SITE SELECTION METHODOLOGY
--------------


8. (U) If Washington wishes to reach agreement on an
acceptable OCPF site selection methodology, this will need to
be accomplished by the June EC. A number of delegates who
are well-versed on this issue (particularly Betsy Sanders of
the U.S. del) depart this summer. It has been difficult
enough for delegates to come to grips with this highly
technical matter. The arrival of new delegates in the
autumn, and the ridiculously steep learning curve on this
particular issue, ensures that no decision by June means no
decision until 2008.


9. (SBU) Del will continue to work with Washington on an
acceptable methodology which addresses U.S. concerns. Once
that is achieved, it will become necessary to then ensure
that a new facilitator is installed. Luis Garcia (Spain) has
continued to make deliberations more complicated, and a
number of delegations have voiced dissatisfaction.

--------------
END POINT OF DESTRUCTION
--------------


10. (U) While it is not clear whether Russia will be able to
claim to have met its revised 20% destruction deadline in
April, it is pretty clear that there will likely be a debate
about how much Russia has actually "destroyed." Several
members of the TS have predicted that Russia may draw
parallels with U.S. operations in an attempt to strengthen
its case. Delegation understands Washington does not intend
to redefine EPOD, and will likely need to reassure other
delegations, particularly in the WEOG, that this is the case.
The UK and Germany have already indicated they will stand
firm on their position that destruction credit should be
given only after secondary treatment is complete, and that a
difference in "accounting" could be a reason to visit Russian
destruction facilities.


--------------
U.S. 45% DEADLINE
--------------


11. (U) Delegation requests that Washington make a timely
assessment of the prospects that the U.S. will make its
revised 45% destruction deadline, as a subsequent extension
request would need to be submitted no later than July 1,

2007. If that does appear likely, it would be prudent to
begin planning for when and how to notify key individuals
(such as the Director General),key delegations and all other
SPs.

--------------
2008 BUDGET
--------------


12. (U) It will be important to convey the early message to
the DG that the U.S. was pleased with a zero nominal growth
budget for 2007 and would like another ZNG budget for 2008.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, there is no reason to
believe that TS operations would be affected at all by
another ZNG budget. It will also be important to have
Washington's specific "must have" items that should go into
the 2008 proposed budget. The inputs from Washington for the
2007 budget were conveyed to the TS early in process while
they were preparing that document, and had a significant
impact in shaping that document. Del urges Washington to
provide the same kind of detailed inputs early in the year so
that the U.S. can have the same impact on TS preparation of
the proposed 2008 budget. The other task which will need to
be addressed in the first half of the year is the selection
of a capable budget facilitator or co-facilitators.

--------------
OCPF INSPECTIONS
--------------


13. (U) China, along with a number of NAM delegations,
strongly objected to the DG's proposed increase in OCPF
inspections in 2007. Part of the outcome was an agreement to
have discussions on this issue, which encompasses the larger
topic of risk assessment. The key task is to identify the
delegate who would sit in the chair (not necessarily to serve
as a facilitator) during these discussions. There is no
reason that this individual would have to be a budget
(co)facilitator. Del will consider various candidates and
consult with Washington.


14. (U) In view of the importance of this topic, and the
likelihood of continued skepticism on the part of China and
NAM delegations, the Del will continue to support the TS in
making the best possible presentation. Based on past
performance, that would indicate that Industry Inspection
chief Bill Kane would be the best TS point-person for these
discussions.

--------------
10TH ANNIVERSARY
--------------


15. (U) TS preparations for the Tenth Anniversary of EIF of
the Convention have been underwhelming. Many other
delegations have also expressed the view that the OPCW is not
fully utilizing one of the few opportunities for the
organization to profile itself. Del has been working to
assist the TS in its efforts. Indeed, Ambassador Javits has
initiated and expended considerable energy on an event to be
held in New York. Del will intensify efforts to help the TS
promote the 10th anniversary, and prod other SPs to do the
same.

--------------
SECOND REVCON
--------------


16. (U) Amb. Parker (UK),the head of the working group

preparing for the Second RevCon, has pursued work at a
suitably modest pace. The February 20 WG session certainly
will be livelier, as one of the topics is CW destruction
issues, but even the UK anticipates that the pace of work
will not pick up until the autumn. Based on the experience
of the First RevCon, if Washington has proposals about the
overall work schedule for the year, or specific topics such
as the initiation of drafting, the UK would certainly welcome
those inputs.

--------------
INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGED USE
--------------


17. (U) The TS continues to work on improving its
capabilities in this area. Most important, it does so in a
manner which does not require any policy issues that would
need to be raised in a consultation. Similarly, while there
have been EC discussions on "noting" or "receiving"
Scientific Advisory Board documents on biomedical sampling,
that has not hindered the progress the TS has continued to
make in developing capabilities in this area. Del will
continue to assist the TS in bolstering these capabilities
and fending off efforts by delegations to politicize this
operational issue.

-------------- --
OTHER ITEMS OF CONTINUING CONCERN: AMCIT HIRING
-------------- -


18. (U) Dl will continue to press for more Amcit hiring bythe TS. In particular, the del is working to idenify
suitable U.S. candidates for the P3 and P4 ispector
positions, the particular pay grade at wich Amcit
representation is most deficient.

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


19. (U) Whilethere was a flurry of NAM activity at the
Decembr CSP, there ultimately was no mention of an actio
plan for Article XI. Instead, all delegations greed that
the first step is to identify a faciltator to handle this
issue. While Riva Das (Indi) initially was identified as
the Article XI faclitator, she has repeatedly said she does
not wat that role, and there is no indication that any oher
delegate is ready to accept it. Should somene come forward
and consultations begin, the longstanding U.S. objection to
anything which touche on export controls (and the Australia
Group) cotinues to be supported by numerous other AG
deleations.

--------------
INDUSTRY-RELAED ISSUES
--------------


20. (U) Thee are a number of issues on which it would be
god to reach a resolution this year. On late declartions,
it would be worthwhile to get a decision n "nil"
declarations. The del will also work wih the TS to prepare
for sampling and analysis durng a Schedule 2 subsequent
inspection in the U.S And the del will be working to
finalize the Scedule 2 facility agreement as requested by
that ite.


21. (U) It also will be necessary to re-asess how industry
issues are being handled, both n process and substance. The
industry week arragement is becoming increasingly obsolete.
It doe not seem an appropriate use of resources to gathe

experts for the few remaining issues (with the xception of
OCPF site selection). On issues thatare truly important
(such as the appropriate numer of OCPF inspections),no
delegation would want that limited to industry week. It also
is necessary to consider whether consultations are the
optimum way to proceed with key issues. It may be more
valuable (and much easier) to engage the TS on an issue such
as inspector training, and press the TS to take action.


--------------
IRAQ
--------------


22. (U) There seems to be general TS satisfaction that the
outcome of the December workshop in Jordan has left the
Iraqis close to being able to complete an acceptable initial
declaration whenever the Iraqi Parliament decides to act on
accession. There is every reason to expect that many
delegations (Iran in particular) will scrutinize that
declaration quite closely. In addition, the del notes that
there may be several questions put to the U.S. regarding Iraq
as a result of various press items concerning periodic U.S.
recovery and handling of Iraqi CW munitions.

--------------
RESULTS-BASED BUDGETING
--------------


23. (U) The TS is continuing to refine its implementation of
RBB. The del will prod the TS (Deputy DG Freeman in
particular) to sharpen the focus of the performance
indicators and expand the use of RBB by more TS divisions.

--------------
AFRICA OFFICE
--------------


24. (U) Facilitator Andres Rugeles (Colombia) has moved this
issue along prudently and kept the focus on information
gathering and assessment of various options. Delegation will
continue to assist Rugeles in fending off moves by some
members of the African Group for a decision that would lock
in any type of permanent office.

--------------
CHALLENGE INSPECTIONS
--------------


25. (U) There is still no facilitator for this issue, and no
indication that any delegate is interested in taking the job.
Should the consultation be resuscitated, there is no reason
to expect any change in the position of delegations, and
therefore no reason to expect any progress. Some WEOG
delegations have expressed interest in a challenge Inspection
exercise that would involve the EC, but in the absence of
consultations are unlikely to pursue such an initiative.
However, what is most important is that the TS is continuing
to move along with the practical steps needed to prepare for
a challenge inspection. The del will continue to assist the
TS in that nuts-and-bolts process.

SIPDIS

--------------
CONFIDENTIALITY

SIPDIS
--------------


26. (U) As Betsy Sanders (U.S.) will be departing this
summer, a new facilitator will have to be identified.


27. (U) Javits sends.
ARNALL