CWC: DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY STALEY'S VISIT TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000891 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN/CB, VCI/CCA, L/NPV, IO/MPR, SECDEF FOR OSD/GSA/CN,CP> JOINT STAFF FOR DD PMA-A FOR WTC COMMERCE FOR BIS (ROBERTS AND DENYER) NSC FOR FLY WINPAC FOR WALTER E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2018 TAGS: PARM PREL PTER CWC SUBJECT: CWC: DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY STALEY'S VISIT TO THE HAGUE, OCTOBER 13 - 15, 2008 Classified By: Ambassador Eric M. Javits for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) This is CWC-48-08 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Deputy Assistant Secretary Ken Staley participated in the Executive Council (EC) of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague from October 13 - 15. In addition to the formal Council sessions, DAS Staley met with OCPW Director-General Rogelio Pfirter, Indian Ambassador Neelam Sabharwal, and Algerian Ambassador Benchaa Dani to discuss re-energizing action on chemical terrorism using OPCW as a forum for discussion. He met with the head of the OPCW laboratory, Gary Mallard, and toured the facility. ¶2. (SBU) DAS Staley and members of the U.S. delegation met with the Australian and Japanese delegations as a follow-on to the trilateral meeting in Washington three weeks earlier to discuss chemical terrorism specifically. At a luncheon in his honor hosted by Ambassador Javits, Staley met with key allied delegations (UK, France, Germany) with chemical terrorism as a central topic, among other issues. All of these meetings generated support for future discussion and activity on chemical safety and security, with agreement that those issues would provide a more productive way forward than the counter-terrorism banner. End Summary. -------------- Meeting with the Director-General -------------- ¶3. (SBU) DAS Staley and Ambassador Javits met with Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, Director-General of the OPCW, on October 13. OPCW Chief of Cabinet Richard Ekwall, ISN/CB Director Mikulak and Delrep Beik also attended. Staley outlined U.S. interest in working on chemical terrorism, framing the issue in terms of chemical security and noting that OPCW was an ideal forum for discussion and information exchange. The DG welcomed the evolution of the U.S. position, noting that industrial safety is something the Technical Secretariat (TS) has been trying to promote. He also said that the French would be happy to help make the Open Ended Working Group on Terrorism (OEWG),which they chair, more productive, and he cited the European Union plans for an additional workshop for the National Authorities meeting on December 1 to include a session on UN Security Council Resolution 1540, and the Clingendael seminar on 1540 on November 27. (Del note: Since this meeting, the Clingendael event has been postponed to early 2009). ¶4. (SBU) The DG noted the broad consensus during the Second Review Conference for engaging on Article X in relation to terrorism, and that ideas on concrete ways to implement Article X would be helpful. He recalled past reluctance on the part of the U.S. and other WEOG members, especially Germany, to address the industrial aspect, and advised Staley to work to get WEOG countries more actively engaged in promoting industrial security. Staley asked what other countries he should approach. The DG suggested Germany, UK, France (for the OEWG),India and "one or two" developing countries like Mexico. The DG said Qtwo" developing countries like Mexico. The DG said the TS could use solid arguments on why chemical terrorism is a threat. Staley replied that the U.S. could help develop case studies and concrete examples. ¶5. (C) On other issues, Amb. Javits asked about potential candidates for the leadership positions for the upcoming Conference of States Parties. The DG said no one has focused yet on the CSP. Amb. Javits said he had spoken to the Chinese and Pakistani ambassadors, neither of whom is interested. The Indian ambassador had expressed interest, but Amb. Javits said he told her it would be better not to have any of the possessor states in the chair, as it might be seen as a conflict of interest. The DG agreed, noting that there are new concerns India might not meet its deadline next year. ¶6. (SBU) The DG stated that he had just sent letters to the U.S., Japan and other countries that had not yet paid their assessments this year, warning that OPCW needed prompt and full payments. On the 2009 budget before the EC, the DG stated the Secretariat's need to remain at zero-nominal-growth without cutting back the base. He said he personally understood the difficulties many countries would have in the current financial crisis (noting that when his own country, Argentina, faced its monetary crisis a few years ago, the first thing the government cut was payments to international organizations),but that the OPCW is operating on the minimum possible after four years of zero-nominal-growth. -------------- Meeting with the Indian Ambassador -------------- ¶7. (SBU) On October 14, DAS Staley met with Ambassador Neelam Sabharwal of India on the margins of the EC. Amb. Javits, ISN/CB Director Mikulak, Delrep Weeks, and Indian delegate Riva Das also participated. Staley asked about working with the chemical industry on safety and security issues. Amb. Sabharwal agreed with that approach, saying that industry in India wants to work closely with other nations' industries and associations to encourage voluntary measures. She recalled the dinner for industry representatives that Amb. Javits hosted during the Review Conference as a positive example, and said that Indian industry is very interested in pursuing chemical safety issues with international counterparts and the OPCW. -------------- Visit to the OPCW Laboratory -------------- ¶8. (U) On the afternoon of October 14, DAS Staley and Delreps Bunton, Landsman and Koevoet met with Gary Mallard (U.S.),the head of the OPCW laboratory in Delft. They took an extensive tour of the lab facilities, discussed outdated equipment and the need for replacements, and viewed the training laboratory where inspectors are instructed on how to conduct on- site chemical analysis of substances. Mallard also briefed the group on the process of preparing for a challenge inspection to be ready to move out within 12 hours should the need arise. -------------- -------------- U.S., Japan, Australia Trilateral Meeting on Chemical Terrorism -------------- -------------- ¶9. (SBU) On October 15, DAS Staley, ISN/CB Office Director Mikulak, and Delreps Denyer, Weekman and QDirector Mikulak, and Delreps Denyer, Weekman and Robinson met with Australian Ambassador Lydia Morton, Australian delegate Mike Byers, Japanese BWC/CWC Division Director Yosei Umetsu (MFA),and Japanese delegate Takayuki Kitagawa, to follow up on the discussion that began in Washington on chemical terrorism. DAS Staley opened with a recap of the Washington consultations, and raised the prevalent issues of the shift from West to East in global chemical manufacturing and the importance of propagating practices of "responsible care." ¶10. (SBU) Ambassador Morton informed colleagues that OPCW Director of Special Projects Krzysztof Paturej (Poland) is working with Poland to improve chemical response capabilities and to plan table top and live exercises. Paturej has apparently encouraged Australia to play a similar regional role. To this end, Australia is hosting a regional chemical security workshop in early 2009, and will share program details with the U.S. and Japan. Morton expressed support for using existing frameworks (not only the OPCW) to increase awareness and further initiatives related to chemical terrorism, citing the Proliferation Security Initiative as one example. She also noted her view that the OPCW's most useful role is one of coordinator, but agreed that the Open Ended Working Group should play a more constructive role in the future. ¶11. (SBU) Japan also expressed support for expanding the role of the OPCW in the area of chemical terrorism, but noted the significant political limitations, and offered the G-8 Global Partnership as another useful forum. The upcoming December 10 meeting in Tokyo may provide an opportunity to discuss not only chemical, but also nuclear and biological issues. In response to a U.S. comment on the possibilities of couching chemical counter- terrorism in terms of chemical safety and security, and potential links with Article XI, the Japanese delegation also suggested that the OPCW host an exchange of views on industrial safety at a National Authorities meeting. Director Umetsu noted the possible utility of an international safety/security standard, like that of the IAEA. ¶12. (SBU) As possible near-term concrete steps, DAS Staley outlined three initiatives: encouraging the sharing of information on the OPCW website; developing case studies that illustrate the threat of chemical terrorism; and providing links to risk assessment tools like that used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Staley also mentioned the possibility of an OPCW-hosted non- proliferation seminar. Ambassador Morton expressed support for "grassroots activities," but also some reservations that certain activities may simply be too politically contentious. She pressed for details as to who might take the lead on any of these possible steps. She reiterated her view that effective coordination was most important, and suggested that experts from the U.S. and Japan might participate in the upcoming Australian seminar in ¶2009. Japan noted its willingness to work constructively, but noted the issue of funding would have to be carefully considered. ¶13. (SBU) Staley proposed that the U.S. work first on developing a list of possible links to relevant industry sites and risk assessment tools that it could share with colleagues before requesting their addition to the OPCW website. The delegations agreed to follow up at the Conference of States Parties in Qto follow up at the Conference of States Parties in December, and that continued coordination would be useful in gradually introducing and building on concepts in the OPCW framework. -------------- Meeting with Algerian Ambassador -------------- ¶14. (SBU) DAS Staley met with Algerian Ambassador Benchaa Dani on October 15 at the margins of the EC; Amb. Javits and Delrep Weeks sat in. Dani stated that Algeria was very interested in discussing chemical terrorism, chemical safety and security in The Hague and that voluntary funds could be used to jump-start certain projects. He agreed that development of projects and activities under Articles X and XI would help politically with the Non-Aligned Movement. Dani stated that on chemical terrorism, Iran, India and Pakistan were the most opposed due to concerns that "new mechanisms" could impact their nuclear problems. He also noted the difficulty he had experienced in adding a single reference to counter- terrorism in the NAM statement at this EC, stating that it had taken him four years to add one sentence. ¶15. (SBU) Dani stated that the OEWG on Terrorism is not very effective and does not work well; he would prefer the use of workshops. Dani said that data exchanges on chemical terrorism and on the control of toxic chemicals are needed. Dani was supportive of the concept of a link to the OPCW webpage and that the Africa Counter-Terrorism Center may be able to offer regional training on chemical safety. Staley inquired if Algeria would be interested in hosting a workshop on chemical terrorism. Dani said that Algeria would be willing to do so. Staley and Dani agreed that the U.S. and Algerian delegations would work together on planning details and that the two would meet in December on the margins of the Conference. -------------- Quad Lunch -------------- ¶16. (SBU) Ambassador Javits hosted a luncheon in honor of Ken Staley on October 15 with representatives from the French, German, UK and U.S. delegations, both resident delegates and representatives from capitals. Discussion covered a wide range of topics surrounding terrorism and chemical safety. UK Ambassador Lyn Parker provided background on the issue from his experience as Chairman of the Review Conference. He agreed with Staley that working from practical chemical safety issues would be more productive than re-opening the problematic terrorism discussion. ¶17. (SBU) OEWG Chair Annie Mari (France) described the difficulties in organizing programs for the Group; while many countries would like an open discussion of terrorism, it would quickly polarize. She has found it more productive to invite outside speakers to share their experience, but admitted the limitations to that genre of meeting. She asked for suggestions on future sessions of the working group. Others around the table raised terrorism's links to Articles X and XI, and the prospect for using interest among the developing countries in those Articles to pursue work on counter-terrorism. Mari said that she will plan the next meeting of the OEWG in the new year, after the Conference of States Parties (and the end of France's EU presidency). ¶18. (SBU) Other issues raised during the lunch, including the selection process for a new Director- General, will be reported septel in the report on the Executive Council. ¶19. (U) DAS Staley departed post before this report was drafted and has not cleared its contents. Qwas drafted and has not cleared its contents. ¶20. (U) JAVITS SENDS. CULBERTSON