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

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 001305

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR ISN/CB, VCI/CCB, L/ACV, IO/S
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL CWC
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): WRAP-UP FOR THE
WEEK ENDING JULY 6

This is CWC-63-07.

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REVCON WORKING GROUP - FINAL FIRST ROUND MEETING
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1. (U) On July 3, Amb. Lyn Parker (UK),the RevCon Working
Group Chair, convened a meeting to discuss: the list of
potential NGOs to be invited to a meeting with States Parties
on 19 November; the final CWC clauses (Articles XII to XXIV);
the protection of confidential information; and the
functioning of the OPCW.


2. (U) In preparation for the NGO discussion, the most recent
list of NGOs prepared by the UK delegation removed the ICRC
and the Sunshine Project, at U.S. request. The format of the
document made it obvious that some NGOs had been removed.
During the NGO discussion, the chair identified them at South
Africa's request. Although the list was notionally finalized
during this meeting so that the Technical Secretariat can
start its invitation work, South Africa reserved the right to
revisit this in the future, after they had reaction from
Pretoria on the deletions. Amb. Parker also made it clear
that additional NGOs could be considered for additional in
the future, if identified. Given that nearly all of the NGO
papers submitted to date are from Western NGOs, Amb. Parker
encouraged delegations to encourage their national NGOs to
prepare documents for consideration. (It should be noted
that, following the meeting, Canada and Germany expressed
their displeasure at the U.S. deletion of the ICRC privately
to delrep.)


3. (U) During the discussion of the final CWC clauses, del
rep deployed guidance, including the announcement of a
forthcoming national paper on the topics of the day. There
were no other interventions.


4. (U) During the discussion of confidential information, del
rep presented the relevant items from guidance. Although
generally happy with the TS handling of confidential
information, India stressed the importance of these matters
and pointed out that the classification of national
information is often a matter of legislation and can only be
decided by States Parties. India called for reiterating the
recommendations from the First RevCon, along with asking for
more information from the TS about progress on electronic
declarations and ISO 17799 standards. Japan pointed to the
still outstanding issue of long-term handling of confidential
document, emphasizing the point that a large percentage of
these documents are industry-related.


5. (U) During the discussion of the functioning of the OPCW,
the UK delegation pointed out three areas of focus: (1)
inspection equipment (see UK paper),(2) timely circulation
of documents to the policy-making organs, and (3) the
effectiveness of the decision-making process by the
policy-making organs. Del deployed its relevant guidance.
India expressed its concern that the list of outstanding
issues remains virtually unchanged from the First RevCon,
encouraged enhanced interaction between the Scientific
Advisory Board and delegations, welcomed results-based
budgeting and encouraged early involvement by delegations in
the budgeting process, and encouraged input from the
host-country working group into the RevCon process. The
Netherlands encouraged further public outreach about the OPCW
and its work, and even suggested finding ways to use the
presence of inspectors in far-flung communities as an
opportunity to increase outreach.


6. (U) Japan encouraged reinforcing the non-proliferation
effects of the CWC (within existing resource limitations),
the need for prioritization and constant review, and closer
cooperation with other international organizations to avoid
duplication of efforts (e.g., 1540 Committee). France
encouraged evaluated staff policies (e.g., tenure) as a way
to keep highly-qualified staff; they also emphasized links to
prevention of terrorism, such as the work of other
international organizations (e.g., 1540 Committee). India
was satisfied with implementation of the tenure policy and

recognized the success of finalizing the financial rules;
they also encouraged wider geographic representation within
TS staff, including within the various divisions, something

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that was echoed by South Africa. South Africa went on to
encourage the working in of the tenure policy into staff
contracts to allow them more confidence and planning ability;
they also encouraged more use of electronic communication
(e.g., dual system of e-communication and fax; allowing those
States Parties that want to have e-mailboxes on the external
server).


7. (U) China expressed satisfaction with results-based
budgeting, encouraged interaction with other international
organizations (especially those focused on the peaceful uses
of chemistry, etc.),and encouraged equal recognition of all
official UN languages. Austria stressed that the quality of
candidates take first priority over geographic distribution,
marked the improvements stemming from RBB, and stressed the
impact of non- and late-payment of assessments, pointing to
repayment plans. Germany encouraged timely reporting of
advisory bodies to SPs, encouraged continual enhancement of
the recruitment process (e.g., shorter vacancy times),
encouraged increased training (particularly for inspectors
and those dealing with confidentiality),and enhanced
outreach efforts, particularly to the media.


8. (U) Parker pointed out that this ended the "first round"
of meetings and that meetings would resume in September, with
six working group meetings in the second half of the year.
There was some discussion about the timing and length of
meetings - South Africa suggested more time between ECs and
working meetings to allow better preparation, Australia
suggested having meetings closer to ECs to allow more
participation from capitals, and India suggested the
possibility of two-day meetings to allow follow-on thoughts
and more incentive for experts from capital to participate.
The chair committed to none of these but said they would be
considered to the extent possible, particularly in light of
an already very busy fall calendar.

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BUDGET CONSULTATIONS
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9. (U) The key points of the first budget consultation, held
on July 4 were:
-- All delegations are happy about a zero nominal growth
budget.
-- WEOG plus some others want more OCPF inspections; the PRC
and Iran object.
-- The PRC and Iran are trying to argue that the risk
assessment discussions drive the OCPF numbers; WEOG and
others strongly disagree.
-- Canada and a few other delegations are questioning the
request for two additional permanent positions.


10. (U) The budget co-facilitators (Donggy Lee of South
Korea and Diana Gosens of the Netherlands) opened the meeting
by laying out their proposed time-table for budget
consultations:
Wednesday, August 29 - Verification
Wednesday, September 5 - Inspections
Wednesday, September 12 - ICA
Friday, September 14 - Wrap-Up
Wednesday, September 19 - PMO, ERD, Executive Management and
Administration
Friday, September 21 - Wrap-Up


11. (U) In the first round of commentary:
-- DDG Freeman began the discussion by quickly reviewing the
highlights of the DG's comments when presenting the budget.
He noted that the estimate for the cost of the RevCon was
772,000 Euros.
-- Del rep noted that the U.S. would be providing detailed
comments to the co-facilitators and the TS. The U.S.
welcomed the increase in inspector training funds, would like
to see the SAB funded for two meetings and temporary working
groups in 2008, and wanted more OCPF inspections. Del rep
asked the TS to provide an assessment of what would be

involved if, staying within a ZNG budget, the overall ceiling
of industry inspections were increased slightly beyond 200.
-- Belgium came in to support more OCPF inspections.
-- The UK chimed in on that point, and specifically said that
there was little utility in maintaining the same level of
Schedule 1 inspections.
-- Canada asked about the impact of the stronger Euro on TS
expenses. It also expressed support for an increase in OCPF
inspections. There is no need for a big increase, but the
number of OCPF inspections is still nowhere near where it
should be. It also expressed support for increased inspector
training, and said that more work needed to be done to
fine-tune use of Results-Based Budgeting. Canada then came
down hard asking about two additional permanent fixed-term
positions, noting that when the planning for the OPCW
building was under way, there was no/no conceivable way the
TS would have more than 500 permanent staff. Canada hoped

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the TS could meet its needs by redeploying staff, rather than
adding staff.


12. (U) The DDG expressed thanks on support for increased
inspector training. On the number of OCPF inspections,
Freeman reiterated the DG's points about why he thought it
best to keep the industry inspection levels the same in 2008;
namely that he had just issued the note on the revisions to
the OCPF site selection procedure. The DDG promised to
provide a detailed justification for the two new permanent
positions. The TS then added that the exchange rate has had
minimal impact on salaries, and only a slight impact on
pensions.


13. (U) In the next set of comments:
-- Germany emphasized the need for timely payments of
assessed contributions and Article IV/V bills. It also said
the proposed budget has a good balance between Chapters 1 and

2. It then said that it understood there was a large change
in inspector days for industry inspections (not the total
number of inspections) and asked the TS for a clarification.
-- Japan chimed in on the need for more OCPF inspections and
requested a re-allocation of inspections within the 200
inspection ceiling. It then asked about the incremental cost
of making two Temporary Assistance Contract positions
full-time.
-- France also supported more OCPF inspections and seconded
Germany's question about inspector days.
-- South Africa began by welcoming the increase in ICA. It
also expressed satisfaction with the number and allocation of
industry inspections, particularly due to the DG's change on
site selection. It emphasized that due to the substantial
increase in the number of OCPF facilities, increases of
inspection numbers alone will not address concerns of States
Parties. There needs to be a better way to target and focus
OCPF inspections.


14. (U) The DDG came in to respond to the FRG by noting that
it did not seem reasonable to have (as is the case for one
individual) a person stay as a TAC for some 7-8 years. In
response to Japan, he said that there is a small increase in
cost on turning a TAC into a fixed-term position. On South
Africa's point about OCPF inspections, the DDG said that the
DG had emphasized that this would be a good time for a
"pause."


15. (U) In the next round:
-- India limited itself to just saying it would be willing to
discuss industry inspections.
-- Iran said it appreciated the increased funding for ICA,
and linked it to universality efforts. On industry
inspections, Iran said the big increase in OCPF inspections
for 2007 was an exceptional measure and tied to the
discussions on risk assessment chaired by CSP Chair Dastis
(Spain). As there had been no conclusion with regard to risk
assessment, there was no reason the OCPF inspection numbers
should go up. Further, a better explanation would be needed
on the impact of the DG's decision on site selection. Iran
concluded by asking how the Article VII-related increases are
to be utilized.
-- China expressed support for a ZNG budget and increased
inspector training. On OCPFs, China also said it accepted

2007 numbers on the understanding that there would be a
clarification in consultations. Those have not yet reached a
conclusion or consensus. And with the DG's new site
selection decision, it is not acceptable to increase OCPF
inspections.
-- The Netherlands asked the TS for an overview of voluntary
contributions. On Article VII, it supported the proposed
expenditures. On OCPF, it said that this number might be
acceptable if/if SPs were given information that would allow
for proper consideration of which OCPF sites warranted
greater concern.
-- Tunisia welcomed the increase in ICA. On the permanent
positions, it also asked for a clarification, adding,
however, that there should not be inflexibility on a staff
ceiling. It also supported the increase in funding for the
SAB in 2008.
-- Australia said it wants an increase in OCPF inspections
and would want to see more information on how the increase in
ICA would be utilized.
-- Italy said that the RBB performance report is important.
(South Africa came in later to support Italy on that point.)
It also supports more OCPF inspections and also wants an
explanation of the ICA increase.


16. (U) Responding to the Netherlands, the DDG said that
voluntary contributions are noted in the various TS
documents. With regard to more detailed information, that
would involve getting approval from the contributors before
disseminating that information. Finally, the DDG emphasized
that the inspection numbers are decided in the budget, and
not in any other forum.

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UNIVERSALITY
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17. (U) Facilitator Said Moussi (Algeria) convened a meeting
on July 5 to simply go over past activities and discuss
future activities.

-- External Relations Division director Liu Zhixian gave a
recap of the Algiers workshop. He then went on to recount
various meetings in Brussels with embassies of non-SPs as
well as the office of the African Union. There had been
discussions directly with non-SP capitals. Liu also said
that there would be another regional meeting covering the
Middle East, but the venue and timing were still to be
determined. The TS would also be working to get invitations
for visits to non-SPs (he highlighted Myanmar, Angola,
Guinea-Bissau).
-- Chief of cabinet Rafael Grossi recounted the DG's talks
with the Israelis (in The Hague) and Egypt (in Cairo). He
also expressed appreciation to various delegations,
specifically citing the U.S., that had provided assistance in
the field (highlighting meetings in central Africa).
-- On the Algiers workshop, the Netherlands said it was a
good program, and the Comoros, Burkina Fasso and Liberia
seemed particularly engaged. The Dutch suggested contacts
with Parliamentarians in these and other cases to try to
further non-SP interest.
-- Belgium called for more SPs to contribute to the
universality effort.
-- Switzerland seconded that motion calling on SPs to make
their pitch directly to non-SPs.


18. (U) In response to various questions, Liu said that
non-SPs have attended the CSP in the past and funding has
been set aside if there are requests from non-SPs for this
year's CSP. On a question about the UN-OPCW high-level
meeting in September, Liu said the DG always schedules
bilateral meetings with non-SPs as part of his trips to New
York. After Moussi asked delegations to give more thought on
how to proceed on universality before the CSP as well as pre-
and post- RevCon, Iran said that the TS should prepare
recommendations on a program of activities to guide
delegations. Malik Ellahi of ERD responded on behalf of the
TS stating that the TS has a report it is mandated to

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produce. And it is certainly incumbent on the TS to keep
delegations informed. However, it is up to SPs to decide on

political issues, such as how to proceed on universality in
the run-up to, and after, the RevCon.


19. (U) Ito sends.
GALLAGHER