C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000298

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR ISN, 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: DECL: 02/16/2017
TAGS: PARM AORC EIND OPCW CWC CBW IR
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): ASIAN GROUP
CLOSER TO AGREEMENT ON NON-IRANIAN CANDIDATE FOR EXECUTIVE
COUNCIL CHAIR

REF: A. STATE 17200 (NOTAL)

B. THE HAGUE 256 (NOTAL)

Classified By: Ambassador Eric M. Javits, U.S. Permanent Representative
to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Reasons:
1.4 (B) and (D).

This is CWC-15-07.


1. (C) On February 15, Malaysian Amb. Ariffin spoke with
Amb. Javits and reported that Indian Amb. Sabharwal had
expressed a strong desire to serve as the EC Chair. Ariffin
said that South Korea and the Philippines will not compete,
and absent some unforeseen development, the Asian Group
candidate for the EC Chair will be India.


2. (C) Later that day, Japanese Amb. Komachi reported to
Amb. Javits that South Korean Amb. Choi may be having second
thoughts and might wish to compete for the EC Chair. (Note:
Amb. Javits will continue to discuss this issue with Asian
Group Ambassadors. His recommendation is simply to let the
Group continue its deliberations, which are on a good path.
Either Amb. Sabharwal or Amb. Choi would be excellent in the
Chair. Most important, there is no indication that anyone in
the Group wishes to give consideration to Iran as the
candidate for EC Chair. End Note.)


3. (U) Javits sends.
BLAKEMAN