Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07THEHAGUE1234
2007-06-26 12:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

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

Tags:  PARM PREL CWC 
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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9641
INFO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
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RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC PRIORITY
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UNCLAS THE HAGUE 001234 

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 LEDDY
WINPAC FOR WALTER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL CWC
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): WRAP-UP FOR THE
WEEK ENDING JUNE 22

This is CWC-61-07.

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ARTICLE VII
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UNCLAS THE HAGUE 001234

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 LEDDY
WINPAC FOR WALTER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL CWC
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): WRAP-UP FOR THE
WEEK ENDING JUNE 22

This is CWC-61-07.

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


1. (U) Facilitator Kimmo Laukenen (Finland) held an 18 June
2007 consultation to discuss the Director General's Note
"Summary of Developments in the Implementation of Article VII
of the Chemical Weapons Convention from 16 February to 25 May
2007 (EC-49/DG.12 dated 7 June 2007). In brief, Legal
Advisor Onate reported that the number of states yet to
establish National Authorities rose by one to ten due to the
accession of Barbados. Other significant achievements were
Bahrain's review of Article XI paragraph 2(e) requirements
with its legislature and reported them in May 2007 to be
consistent with its obligations. The Belgian Federal
Parliament adopted its legislation covering all key areas,
and its regional parliaments also are proceeding. Bahrain
reported that its draft legislation had been submitted to the
Council of Ministers and then to Parliament, but passage was
expected to take some time. Finally St. Kitts and Nevis
submitted to the Technical Secretariat its draft legislation
which covers all key areas. It still needs to establish
regulations controlling chemical transfers and requiring
end-user certificates.


2. (U) When asked about developments since 25 May, Onate
noted that both Argentina and Tunisia enacted legislation
covering all key areas on 22 May, but this was not included
in the Progress Report because the TS received the draft
after the 25 May cut-off date. Some additional states have
finalized drafts and are in the process of submitting them to
their legislatures. Laukenen, who attended the meeting of
the Nordic national Authorities in Iceland, reported that the
draft legislation -- modeled on the Norwegian text -- had
been circulated and was expected to be enacted by the late

2007.


3. (U) Calendar of activities in addition to those reported
in the DG's note include a training course in Spain 2-6 July,
an implementation workshop in South Africa 9-11 July, a
meeting of SADC Customs officials in Zambia 20-24 July, a
Technical Assistance Visit to Colombia 24 July, a regional

meeting for Parliamentarians of GRULAC states 26-27 July, and
a TAV tentatively scheduled in Paraguay 30-31 July. August
meetings are still tentative but could include a legal
meeting for PIF states in Palau and a TAV to Venezuela. In
September, the TS will participate in training for National
Authorities of Lusophone states in Brazil, lead a TAV to
Portugal, and organize a sub-regional legal workshop in The
Gambia.

--------------
REVCON WORKING GROUP - ARTICLES X AND XI
--------------


4. (U) On June 19, Amb. Lyn Parker (UK),the RevCon Working
Group Chair, convened a meeting to discuss Articles X
(assistance and protection) and XI (international cooperation
and assistance). The discussion on Article X was fairly
straightforward, with delegations expressing praise for what
had been accomplished, and pressing for more work in the
future. Del rep noted that the U.S. was providing a national
paper on Articles X and XI that would be put on the external
server, and highlighted key points from the paper.


5. (U) France stated that Article X could be of utility in
the anti-terrorism effort, a view which was supported by
India and South Korea. The Article X facilitator (Jytka
Brodska, Czech Republic) provided a recitation of the various
TS projects under way and the particular areas of focus.

SIPDIS
South Africa noted that the RevCon should assess whether TS
capabilities under Article X should be updated and also said
the TS should assess what regional groups could do to
supplement efforts. The UK introduced a paper highlighting
various areas under Article X which it believes deserve
particular attention (E-mailed to ISN/CB).


6. (U) Iran asserted that the TS should have an independent
capability to reply to Article X requests, but no delegation
expressed support for that view. In a more measured
statement, it asserted that the TS should seek to respond in
an optimal manner. In addition, Iran reiterated its earlier
call for an international support network for the victims of
CW, arguing that it should be an issue for the RevCon.
Again, no one supported the Iranian position.


7. (U) On Article XI, there was a much more energized
discussion. Cuba began by speaking on behalf of the NAM and
noting that the CSP had agreed to remain seized of Article
XI. It stated that there appeared to be informal agreement
on an Article XI facilitator. (Note: PRC Ambassador Xue
confirmed to Amb. Javits that NAM delegations had come to her
with a very strong appeal for China to offer someone who
could serve as facilitator. As a result, Mr. Li Hong of the
Chinese del has been nominated to fill this position, and is
certain to be approved.)


8. (U) A number of NAM delegations (India, Iran, South
Africa, China) associated themselves with the Cuban
statement. China went on to note that it sees a need for
greater activity under Article XI and that more resources are
needed for ICA activities. Germany came in to emphasize that
a balance needs to be found between destruction,
nonproliferation, Article X and ICA. Following on the German
comment, India said that the Article XI pillar must be
strengthened, particularly as it is critical to promote
universality.


9. (U) South Africa then made the general statement that
arbitrary restrictions on trade in chemicals should not be
allowed. That opened the door for Iran to emphasize that
there are undue restrictions on trade in chemicals, which
undermines the CWC. Iran then called for an Article XI
action plan. (Note: In the subsequent meeting with the
Chinese delegation, del rep made quite clear to Li Hong that
the U.S. would not be able to support an action plan.)


10. (U) Japan provided a strong, immediate rebuttal arguing
that national export control systems are perfectly in
accordance with the CWC. After drawing on the Article XI
points from the U.S. paper, del rep also expressed support
for the Japanese position, which was then seconded by France,
the UK and Germany.


11. (U) Javits sends.
ARNALL