Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07THEHAGUE1486
2007-08-13 07:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): WRAP-UP FOR THE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0006 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTC #1486 2250755 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 130755Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9988 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 001486
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
PERIOD JULY 30-AUGUST 10
This is CWC-70-07.
---------------------
TS HEMORRHAGING STAFF
SIPDIS
---------------------
UNCLAS THE HAGUE 001486
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
PERIOD JULY 30-AUGUST 10
This is CWC-70-07.
--------------
TS HEMORRHAGING STAFF
SIPDIS
--------------
1. (U) Based on numbers provided by the Administration
Division, it appears the Technical Secretariat is
hemorrhaging personnel, especially those with critical
skills. As the proposed 2008 budget requests an increase in
funding to handle staff turnover, and discussions with TS
staff had indicated an unusually large number of departures
this year, del rep asked for data on the extent of staff
turnover.
2. (U) As of August 8, there are already 23 resignations.
That compares with a total of
14 in 2006
12 in 2005
18 in 2004.
3. (U) More important than the absolute number is the fact
that these departures hit critical areas of skill and
experience particularly hard. Of those 23 resignations, nine
are from the Inspectorate and five are from Verification.
And of those members of the Inspectorate, their average
length of service is six years. This is especially worrisome
as it indicates the modification of the tenure policy granted
the Director General last year has not had any impact on
halting the flow of key, experienced personnel.
4. (U) Continuing with the bad news, it also appears that
the departure of more senior personnel is accelerating. Of
the 23 departures so far in 2007, seven are at the P-5 or
above level. That compares with
6 in 2006
3 in 2005
5 in 2004.
5. (U) The overall numbers indicate that the tenure policy
is working as intended. The average length of service of
staff who resigned so far this year is six years. It was the
same in 2006. It was seven years in 2005 and six years in
2004. That is certainly what should be expected from a
seven-year tenure system. However, it is worrisome that the
two groups that are departing appear to be more experience
staff and the two key divisions (Verification and
Inspectorate) that require genuine substantive expertise.
6. (U) Comment: Despite the urgency of the situation, there
is no chance that the DG would wish to return to modification
of tenure this year, having received approval of his
"tweaking" of the system last year. More important, it is
unlikely that the DG would wish to pursue more thorough
change in the tenure policy unless he has clear support from
the U.S. While the del will continue to engage with the TS
on this situation, the key initial question is whether
Washington is prepared to consider a more fundamental fix to
the tenure system so that the TS retains the skilled
personnel needed to do its job. End Comment.
7. (U) Ito sends.
GALLAGHER
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
PERIOD JULY 30-AUGUST 10
This is CWC-70-07.
--------------
TS HEMORRHAGING STAFF
SIPDIS
--------------
1. (U) Based on numbers provided by the Administration
Division, it appears the Technical Secretariat is
hemorrhaging personnel, especially those with critical
skills. As the proposed 2008 budget requests an increase in
funding to handle staff turnover, and discussions with TS
staff had indicated an unusually large number of departures
this year, del rep asked for data on the extent of staff
turnover.
2. (U) As of August 8, there are already 23 resignations.
That compares with a total of
14 in 2006
12 in 2005
18 in 2004.
3. (U) More important than the absolute number is the fact
that these departures hit critical areas of skill and
experience particularly hard. Of those 23 resignations, nine
are from the Inspectorate and five are from Verification.
And of those members of the Inspectorate, their average
length of service is six years. This is especially worrisome
as it indicates the modification of the tenure policy granted
the Director General last year has not had any impact on
halting the flow of key, experienced personnel.
4. (U) Continuing with the bad news, it also appears that
the departure of more senior personnel is accelerating. Of
the 23 departures so far in 2007, seven are at the P-5 or
above level. That compares with
6 in 2006
3 in 2005
5 in 2004.
5. (U) The overall numbers indicate that the tenure policy
is working as intended. The average length of service of
staff who resigned so far this year is six years. It was the
same in 2006. It was seven years in 2005 and six years in
2004. That is certainly what should be expected from a
seven-year tenure system. However, it is worrisome that the
two groups that are departing appear to be more experience
staff and the two key divisions (Verification and
Inspectorate) that require genuine substantive expertise.
6. (U) Comment: Despite the urgency of the situation, there
is no chance that the DG would wish to return to modification
of tenure this year, having received approval of his
"tweaking" of the system last year. More important, it is
unlikely that the DG would wish to pursue more thorough
change in the tenure policy unless he has clear support from
the U.S. While the del will continue to engage with the TS
on this situation, the key initial question is whether
Washington is prepared to consider a more fundamental fix to
the tenure system so that the TS retains the skilled
personnel needed to do its job. End Comment.
7. (U) Ito sends.
GALLAGHER