INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS -- GETTING THE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 100866

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC CW IAEA KPAO OSCE PREL PTER UNSC
SUBJECT: INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS -- GETTING THE
1540 COMMITTEE WORK PLAN ORGANIZED

REF: A. UNVIE 158

B. UNVIE 434

C. THE HAGUE 721

D. USOSCE 219

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED ) PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY


1. (U) This is an action request for USUN, see para 4.


2. (SBU) Summary. During recent consultations in Vienna,
the Terrorism Prevention Branch (TPB) of the United Nations
Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reiterated its interest in
working closely with the 1540 Committee. The TPB sought
clarification on the status of a comparative table promised
by the 1540 Committee on UNSC counter-terrorism conventions
and protocols regarding 1540 obligations, as well as direct
correspondence from the 1540 Committee on what it wants from
UNODC in a working relationship. Washington views both
questions as a timely reminder for the 1540 Committee to
focus on its upcoming work program due at the end of this
year. Washington wants to clarify USG positions before the
work
program is distributed for Committee comment to members at
large. The United States has expressed its interest in a
robust relationship with not only UNODC but also the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the
Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
within their respective mandates -- and wants any
correspondence from the Committee to these organizations to
accurately reflect USG views in concert with our delegations
in Vienna and The Hague. End summary.


3. (SBU) Background for Post only. Per refs A-C, UNODC,
IAEA, and OPCW have all corresponded or worked in support of
UNSCR 1540 and the Committee itself. Moreover, well over 140
countries have submitted reports to the 1540 Committee on
their internal controls as well as on implementation of the
resolution. The reports and the 140 states, underlying
systems of regulation vary widely. The 1540 Committee has
developed a basic questionnaire which it sent out to assist
countries in reporting on their control systems, reviewed
reports submitted to it, developed a set of matrices for
evaluating national systems of control, undertaken various
outreach activities to encourage regional and national
implementation efforts, and begun to serve as a clearing
house to connect countries willing to provide assistance to
other countries that need improvement. The mandate of the
1540 Committee was extended in 2008 for another three years
to allow it to fulfill implementation efforts. A new
Committee work plan is due by December 31. End background
for Post only.

ACTION REQUEST


4. (SBU) Washington requests USUN take the following actions
to ensure that REFTEL views from UNVIE and The Hague are
integrated into a work plan developed by the 1540 Committee
and its Panel of Experts.

-- The 2008 implementation report indicates there is much
work to be done and we want to shift toward implementation
and not just awareness raising -- and therefore Post should
work with P3 and other like-minded Committee members to
ensure the work program facilitates our stated objectives in
drafting UNSCR 1810.

-- Washington seeks Russia's comments on the UNODC

STATE 00100866 002 OF 002


comparative matrix by October 15 so the matrix can be
finalized and placed on the Committee agenda for discussion
and approval.

-- UNODC TPB asked what the 1540 Committee wants from UNODC
in support and Washington understands the Panel of Experts is
preparing a reply. Washington wants to review this reply
before it is finalized and circulated. Post should make sure
this supports our broader objectives with other international
organizations per REFTELS.

-- Post should ask the 1540 Committee to clearly state what
it wants from the IAEA and OPCW and for
each organization to state what it really wants from the 1540
Committee. The 1540 Committee, the IAEA, and the OPCW should
formalize these requests in writing before the work plan is
finished this year. Washington seeks draft proposals from
the Committee by the end of October. (Note. Even in its
August 18 Press Release, the 1540 Committee reiterated its
pledge to work closely with OPCW and IAEA -- but both
organizations have been reluctant to clearly define how to
establish mechanisms for sharing of information and
priorities for coordination beyond attending one another,s
workshops. End note).

-- Regarding the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE),the 1540 Committee Chairman has not responded
to an invitation sent in July to speak to the 56
participating States in the Forum for Security Cooperation
(FSC) during the Fall session. USOSCE confirmed the Finnish
desire for this to be scheduled October 15 and USUN should
impress upon the Chair (in consultation with Finland) that
for planning purposes we recommend an affirmative reply be
sent before the September 24 FSC Plenary. (Note. If the
Chairman is unable to travel, Washington would consider the
Croatian Vice-Chairman an excellent choice given Croatia's
position as a member of the OSCE as well as host of a recent
1540 Workshop in cooperation with NATO. End note). See also
Ref D.

-- Finally, Washington notes that the technical assistance
templates that were also mentioned in Vienna consultations
have yet to be translated into all six UN languages and
posted on the UN website. Post should ensure this is done
before the first UN Workshop post-UNSCR 1810 takes place with
ASEAN nations on October 27.


5. (U) Reporting deadline. Post is requested to respond NLT
September 23 regarding the OSCE invitation, NLT October 15
with a draft work program for Washington review, and NLT
October 31 on proposals for IAEA and OPCW.

POINT OF CONTACT


6. Washington thanks Post for its continued support which is
greatly appreciated towards these objectives.


7. (U) Please contact U.S. 1540 Coordinator Tom Wuchte at
(202) 736-4275 for any further background.
RICE