CWC REVIEW CONFERENCE PART I - FORMAL OPENING

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000420

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL CWC
SUBJECT: CWC REVIEW CONFERENCE PART I - FORMAL OPENING
MEETINGS, APRIL 7-9, 2008

REF: THE HAGUE 349

This is CWC-20-08.


1. (U) This cable is part of a series on the Second
Chemical Weapons Convention Review Conference
(RevCon) April 7-18, 2008. It follows the initial
report at the end of the Conference (reftel) and
covers the opening plenary sessions of the Conference
and the general debate. Other cables will follow
focusing on the process for the remainder of the
Conference, an analysis of the final RevCon report,
and a report on other meetings and events that
occurred on the margins of the Conference.


2. (U) Summary. Prior to the convening of the Review
Conference, a special session of the Conference of
the States Parties (CSP) had to be convened April 7
to amend Rule 8 of the CSP Rules of Procedure to
provide for a separate rotation of the Review
Conference Chairmanship. Immediately thereafter, the
Second CWC Review Conference opened, heard a report
from the CSP Chairman, appointed its own Chairman,
took decisions on a series of procedural issues, and
heard a series of statements from the OPCW Director-
General, the UN Secretary-General, several groups of
States, and 45 States Parties. Among the common
themes of these statements were: the reaffirmation of
CWC obligations, calls for those states possessing
chemical weapons to complete destruction within the
deadlines, and the importance of universality of the
convention, national implementation measures,
assistance and protection, and international
cooperation. Some states spoke to the increasing
threat of terrorism and use of toxic chemicals by
terrorist groups, the importance of developments in
science and technology, and industry verification.
End Summary.

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Third Special Session of the Conference of States
Parties (CSP)
-------------- --------------


3. (U) The Third Special Session of the Conference of
the States Parties (CSP) was held on April 7 to amend
Rule 8 of the Rules of Procedure of the CSP. The
Session adopted text allowing Special Review Sessions
to elect a Chairman and ten Vice Chairmen to ensure
that the chairmanship of the CWC Review Conference
rotates on a fair and equitable basis among the
regional groups represented at the Conference. The
issue arose due to the fact that there are five
recognized regional groups and the Review Conferences
take place every five years. Without rotation, the
same regional group (Africa) would chair every Review
Conference. Although the problem was recognized at
the first Review Conference, and discussed on the
margins of the CSP in November, no action had yet
been taken to change the procedures. The CSP
Special Session in April formally amended the rules,
allowing the Review Conference to elect its own
leadership, with the Asian group choosing the Chair
and the African group the Chair of the Committee of
the Whole.


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Opening session of the Second Special Conference to
Review the Operation of the Chemical Weapons
Convention: April 7, 2008
-------------- --------------


4. (U) Chairman and General Committee Elected: CSP
Chairman Ambassador Abuelgasim Abdelwahid Sheikh
Idris of Sudan opened the RevCon with great optimism
for a positive outcome and called upon States Parties
to continue the momentum initiated in the Open Ended

Working Group (OEWG) under the able leadership of UK
Ambassador Lyn Parker. The Chair highlighted the
successes of the Organization over the past five
years since the first Review Conference, to include,
inter alia: the increase of membership to 183 States
Parties; the continued destruction efforts and
decline in the global stockpile; the increased
adoption of implementing legislation; and the
momentous events surrounding the tenth anniversary of
the Convention in 2007.


5. (U) The Review Conference elected Saudi Arabian
Ambassador Waleed El Khereiji as Chair, Algerian
Ambassador Benchaa Dani as the Chair of the Committee
of the Whole, and appointed ten Vice Chairpersons
(two from each regional group). The Vice Chairs
include representatives from China, Iran, Uruguay,
Costa Rica, France, the United States, Kenya,
Nigeria, Russia, and the Czech Republic. Further,
States Parties approved the following documents
without discussion: the provisional agenda drafted
at the 52nd Executive Council (RC-2/1, dated March 2,
2008); the Organization of Work and Subsidiary Bodies
(RC-2 Dec CRP-2, dated April 7, 2008); and the
attendance of observers, NGOs, and academia under
relevant Rules of Procedure.


6. (U) Director General's (DG) Statement: Director
General Rogelio Pfirter set the stage for the Review
Conference by remarking on the successes achieved by
the OPCW over the past 11 years in disarmament,
citing the possible future need for a special
conference of States Parties on meeting the 2012
destruction deadline, and looking to the future of
the Organization when it will be able to assume a
greater nonproliferation focus. Many U.S. objectives
were addressed in the Director General's speech: he
focused on developments in the chemical industry, and
called for the use of open source data during
inspections; reaffirmed the General Purpose Criterion
that the Convention covers all toxic chemicals and
not just those included in the Schedules; and
stressed the importance of universality and the need
for the twelve states not party to the Convention to
accede as soon as possible.


7. (U) Report from the Chairman of the OPCW Executive
Council and on the work of the Open Ended Working
Group: OPCW Executive Council Chair Ambassador Romeo
Arguelles (Philippines) briefly outlined the EC's
work in preparing for the Review Conference, and
introduced UK Ambassador Lyn Parker who chaired the
Council's Open-Ended Working Group that spearheaded
the drafting effort of the Review Conference report
text. After 34 meetings and several informal
sessions, Parker stated his belief that the draft
text was not prejudicial to any delegation, but
cautioned that there was still much work needed to
complete the report. While the chairman's text had
no formal standing, he expressed the hope that it
would serve as a guide for the RevCon's work in
drawing up its report.

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General Debate Statements: UN SYG and Groups
-------------- --------------


8. (U) The Review Conference's General Debate was
conducted from the afternoon of 7 April through mid-
day 9 April. Statements included a message from UN
Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, Slovenia on behalf of
the European Union, the Dutch Foreign Minister as
host country for the OPCW, Cuba on behalf of the Non-
Aligned Movement and China, South Africa on behalf of
the African Group, and Kyrgyzstan on behalf of the
Central Independent States. General summaries of
statements follow.


9. (U) Message from UN SYG Ban Ki-Moon: UN
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's message was delivered
by Mr. Tim Caughley, Director of the Geneva Branch of
the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs. The UN SYG
said that the Review Conference should be a time for
States Parties to reflect on the provisions of the
CWC and the key developments in science and
technology over the past 11 years. He commended the
success of the destruction of 27,000 tons of chemical
weapons, but urged possessor states to continue to
destroy remaining stockpiles. He also stressed the
need for universality.


10. (U) European Union: The EU highlighted the
common position agreed to by EU members with regard
to the Review Conference. Issues of importance
included: reaffirming the general purpose criterion;
addressing the destruction of CW stockpiles and the
conversion of all chemical weapons production
facilities; implementing and enhancing the
verification regime; recalling the availability of
challenge inspections; achieving complete
universality; reaffirming the need for national
implementation to stay abreast of developments in
science and technology; contributing to the fight
against terrorism; cooperating with chemical industry
and the scientific community; and finally,
interaction between the OPCW and others within
international fora and the relationship between the
EU and the OPCW. The EU statement stressed the
importance of all CWC treaty provisions and looked to
the future on how the OPCW will remain relevant as
certain treaty provisions are met.


11. (U) Dutch Foreign Minister: Dutch Foreign
Minister Maxime Verhagen spoke as representative of
the host country for the OPCW. He stated that the
OPCW is an example of effective multilateralism and a
key contributor to why The Hague is a city of peace,
justice, and security. He called upon States Parties
to look to the future on where the OPCW should be in
five or ten years and how it can face a number of
challenges that lie ahead. These challenges include
the accessibility of technologies that could be
harmful when in the wrong hands. The Organization
needs to look at how developments in science and
technology should be monitored, how to combat the
proliferation of chemical weapons among non-state
actors, and how the OPCW can monitor the growing
number of OCPFs while still monitoring schedule 1, 2,
and 3 plants. He encouraged the OPCW to intensify
its nonproliferation activities, but he also
cautioned States Parties not to forget the near-term
objectives of the OPCW, to include universality,
national implementation, and destruction. He called
States Parties to use the Review Conference as an
opportunity to turn the OPCW from a good player into
a great player.


12. (U) Non-Aligned Movement and China: The
Statement of the NAM States Parties plus China,
presented by the Cuban Ambassador as Chairman of the
NAM, called States Parties to reaffirm their
commitment "to the effective and balanced
implementation of all of (the CWC's) provisions" and
expressed its view that the Review Conference should
review the operation of the Organization, but not
change the focus of the Convention. It came as no
surprise that the NAM's main focus for the RevCon was
destruction (disarmament),"a fundamental pillar of
the convention," and more particularly, meeting
destruction deadlines. The NAM also commented on the
need for universality in meeting the object and
purpose of the convention. They called on States
Parties to ensure that the CWC not be implemented in
such a way that interferes with, or obstructs the
economic or technological developments of other
States Parties. Such restrictions erode the trust

between States Parties and are contrary to the spirit
of the Convention. Regarding other "fundamental
pillars" of the Convention, the NAM called for an
Action Plan under Article XI for the full
implementation of international cooperation and
assistance programs for capacity building. The NAM
made a brief mention of terrorism, but believed it is
best addressed by the full implementation of the
treaty and universality. The NAM called for
continued consultation on the frequency of industry
inspections. They expressed satisfaction that so far
no challenge inspections have been called, and argued
that the consultation and clarification procedures
should be exhausted before any decision to proceed
with a challenge inspection occurs. In concluding
the NAM reaffirmed the importance of consensus
decision-making by the Policy Making Organs,
expressed concern about unresolved issues related to
the full implementation of the Headquarters
Agreement, and cited the importance of recruiting TS
staff on a wider geographic basis.


13. (U) The African Group: South Africa spoke on
behalf of the African Group, which aligned itself
with the statement made by the Non-Aligned Movement
and China. The Statement opened with a summary of
the successes of the organization since its entry
into force, but then looked to the work still needed
in order for the pillars of the Convention to be
fully implemented. The African Group put great
emphasis on destruction and the need to destroy the
remaining 60 percent of chemical weapons stockpiles
by 2012. The African Group reported that they have
made advancements in implementing their Article VII
obligations and establishing National Authorities.
The African Group called for full implementation of
Article XI and asked that the Review Conference to
establish an agreed upon framework to promote
international cooperation. The African Group also
recalled the need for the Program for Africa to be
implemented to raise awareness of the Convention in
Africa and to provide assistance with national
implementing legislation and establishing National
Authorities. The African Group also looked to the
implementation of Article X to provide assistance and
capacity building. The African Group viewed Article
X as vital to address the threat of global
terrorism.


14. (U) Central Independent States (CIS): Kyrgyzstan
spoke on behalf of CIS Countries, stressing the need
for universality in order to meet the objectives of
the Convention and address the threats and global
challenges that currently exist. CIS countries
welcomed the progress of destruction made to date and
stressed the importance of adhering to treaty
provisions. Further, CIS countries called upon State
Parties to review the operation of the Organization
and provide strategic guidance for the next phase of
the Convention. The Statement also addressed the
need for continued international assistance
implementing the CWC and called on states not party
to the treaty to join as soon as possible.

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General Debate Statements: States Parties ) Thematic
Summaries
-------------- --------------


15. (U) During the course of General Debate, 45
representatives of States Parties spoke, including:
United States, Saudi Arabia, China, Russia,
Singapore, Japan, Pakistan, Iran, Serbia,
Switzerland, Mexico, Algeria, Canada, New Zealand,
South Africa, Ukraine, Indonesia, Turkey, Bangladesh,
Malaysia, Peru, Republic of Korea, Australia, Brazil,
Tunisia, Yemen, Norway, Sudan, El Salvador, Mongolia,
India, Colombia, Nigeria, Albania, Libya, Thailand,

Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Zambia, Uganda,
Belarus, Morocco, China (Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region),and Argentina. National
themes for the most part paralleled those contained
in the Group statements. Thematic summaries follow.


16. (U) Reaffirmation of CWC Obligations: States
Parties reaffirmed their commitment to the Convention
and its provisions. Many reaffirmed the General
Purpose Criteria, and pointed to its importance in
providing an underpinning to stem proliferation. The
NAM, plus China, sought to prioritize among
obligations, most citing elimination of chemical
weapons as the core objective, and implementation of
Articles X and XI (assistance, protection and
international cooperation) as of "fundamental"
importance. Western States, on the other hand,
sought to reinforce the importance of all convention
provisions, including national implementation.
Several States raised concerns about "non-lethal
agents," incapacitants or riot control agents (RCAs),
with Switzerland alleging that uncertainty concerning
the status of incapacitating agents under the CWC
risks to undermine it. Switzerland proposed
discussions of this issue, a move supported by
several States, including Norway. Iran noted the
obligation not to use RCA's as a method of warfare,
and deplored the recent use of such non-lethals as a
means of warfare. (Comment: When asked informally to
what they were referring, Iranian delegates refused
to provide clarification. End comment)


17. (U) Universality: Almost all speakers noted the
progress made towards universality, and many called
upon, or urged, the twelve countries outside the
regime to join. Middle East/North Africa countries
cited the importance of the Middle East as a Zone
Free of Weapons of Mass Destruction, and several
(Saudi Arabia, Iran) singled out Israel by name as
the obstacle to achieving this objective. Several
countries commended the OPCW and TS efforts in
pursuit of universality, and highlighted their own
national efforts to this end.


18. (U) Destruction: Possessor States reported on
destruction progress, reaffirming their commitments.
Russia (Victor Kholstov) stated it "rules out the
possibility of not complying with the conventional
deadlines for the destruction of its CW stockpile,"
thanked those states which have helped and opined
that the predictability of assistance will be
particularly important over the next two years
(Comment: In other words, if Russia misses the
deadlines, they are not to blame. End Comment)
Almost all speakers cited the importance of achieving
elimination of chemical weapons as soon as possible,
and within the extended deadlines; many called for
intensification of efforts. At the same time, a
number of states welcomed progress to date in
destruction and encouraged states able to do so to
continue providing assistance. The NAM plus China
argued that destruction was the core objective and
central task of the OPCW, with many NAM states
stressing that any serious discussions about the
evolution of the OPCW work to focus on changing
needs, such as non-proliferation objectives, should
not be held until destruction is complete. Pakistan
cited the UNGA Resolution on Compliance with Arms
Control, Disarmament and Non-proliferation Objectives
in speaking to meeting the deadlines, while Iran
opined that non-compliance with deadlines would raise
concerns "that domestic policies have resulted in
preferences for retaining certain stockpiles as
'security reserves.'" Nigeria echoed a similar
theme. Still a handful of others alleged that not
meeting destruction deadlines would call into
question the CWC's credibility or integrity (South
Africa, Serbia). While China acknowledged there has

been some progress in addressing the abandoned
chemical weapons left by Japan in China, it
reiterated that not one weapon has been destroyed so
far, urging Japan to fulfill its obligations. Japan
replied that this issue was a top priority for it.


19. (U) Verification/Compliance: Most verification
discussion revolved around industry inspections, in
particular OCPF inspections, risk assessment as a
factor in determining where to inspect, and site
selection methodology. Iran and some NAM countries
argued in support of their concept of a hierarchy of
risk approach (Comment: a transparent effort to keep
many of their facilities off the inspection list).
While welcoming the DG's initiative on site selection
methodology as a temporary measure, a number called
for a new methodology to be agreed. Still others,
including the U.S., noted that the intent in
adjusting how OCPF inspections were decided was not
motivated simply by a desire to inspect more, but
rather to focus on those 10-15 per cent of facilities
that could really pose a risk. Several countries
stressed the importance of a well-trained
inspectorate, called upon the TS to maintain its
capabilities to conduct an inspection, including a
challenge inspection. Canada suggested as useful a
challenge inspection exercise involving the Executive
Council. India, among others, cautioned against
abuse of the challenge inspection regime, arguing
that it should only be used in exceptional
circumstances, and as a last resort. In the
meantime, no call for a challenge inspection, India
opined, meant the regime is working. Canada and
Australia cited the need to decide on levels of
concentration for Schedule 2/2A chemicals.


20. (U) National Implementation Measures/Article VII:
Many countries cited the importance of implementing
national measures, with Russia stating that such
measures were the main guarantee of non-proliferation
of chemical weapons. Turkey and Switzerland recalled
that national implementing measures were one of the
essential conditions for the functioning of the CWC.
Many described their own national efforts and
assistance they were providing to others, and still
others encouraged continued assistance. Russia and
Pakistan, for example, noted the correlation between
implementing Article VII and Article XI on
international cooperation. While welcoming progress
made, most Western countries expressed concern that
many states still did not have CWC implementing
legislation in place, and stressed the need for a
sustained effort in putting such legislation in
place. Iran, on the other hand, expressed dismay
that "some State Parties have incorporated certain
conditions contrary to the Convention in its national
legislation." This paralleled the stated NAM and
China's concern that "undue restrictions" amongst
States Parties on exchange of technology, materials,
and equipment for peaceful purposes are contrary to
the letter and spirit of the Convention, affect its
long term viability and jeopardize the trust that
exists amongst States, which resulted in a NAM/China
call for removal of such undue restrictions.


21. (U) Assistance and Protection/Article X: Many
called for implementation of Article X. South Africa
recommended that the current training program be
augmented, and that the RevCon examine the role
regional and sub-regional response mechanisms could
play in providing assistance to States Parties. Some
States noted assistance they have provided; others
asked for more, including an increase in the budget
and capacity building. Iran recalled its proposal
for establishment of a "CW Victim's International
Funding and Assistance Network," expressing
expectations that the Executive Council would
consider the details of such a network. Pakistan

noted a link between Article X and protection against
terrorism.


22. (U) International Cooperation (ICA),Economic and
Technical Development/Article XI: Many NAM countries
recalled the CSP-12 decision on Article XI, and
called for development of a follow-up Action Plan.
Many also called for a steady increase in the regular
budget to fund ICA and assistance programs. South
Africa articulated the challenge: to balance genuine
security concerns with development objectives within
the context of non-proliferation of WMD.


23. (U) Terrorism/UNSC 1540: A number of countries,
including Iran and Algeria, expressed concern about
the growing risk of terrorism, including use of
chemical weapons, with Algeria and others pointing to
the roll the OPCW can play in assisting in global
efforts to combat terrorism and cooperation with
international and regional organizations. Some
States stressed the importance of implementing UNSC
1540 and supporting the UN global Counterterrorism
Strategy, and of capacity building.


24. (U) Non-Proliferation/Evolution of the OPCW:
Canada elaborated upon a theme voiced by many,
namely, that as the end of the destruction phase
approaches, the OPCW must gradually shift the balance
of its collective efforts towards non-proliferation,
particularly focusing on Article VI Activities not
Prohibited. Russia called for preventing
proliferation and strengthening multilateral efforts.
Pakistan observed that mechanisms shore up support
for disarmament and non-proliferation when they
promote peaceful purposes.


25. (U) Science and Technology/Scientific Advisory
Board (SAB): While all speakers gave lip service to
the need to keep scientific and technological
developments under review, including so that the
verification regime can keep abreast of relevant
developments, the NAM and India and Iran in
particular sought to tie the hands of the OPCW in
responding to such developments. India proposed
creation of a standing committee of governmental
experts of States Parties as a permanent mechanism to
thoroughly examine the findings reached by the
Scientific Advisory Board and prepare recommendations
for the Policy Making Organs. (Comment: In practice,
this would be inconsistent with the Convention's
stipulation that the SAB report directly to the DG.
End comment) Iran made a similar suggestion. On the
other hand, the U.S. found some resonance to its
proposal for more focused, directed meetings of the
SAB on a more frequent basis.


26. (U) Functioning of the Organization/Technical
Secretariat: States Parties commended the Technical
Secretariat on its good work in implementing the
Convention, with Iran citing the close cooperation
between the TS and the States Parties as a positive
feature. Several countries, including the African
Group, argued for better geographical representation
in the TS. Japan harkened back to discussions about
adjusting to meet new requirements, and commended
results based budgeting and zero nominal growth.


27. (U) Javits sends.
Gallagher