CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): FOLLOW UP ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 115619

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
THE HAGUE FOR CWC DEL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL CWC OPCW
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): FOLLOW UP ON
LIBYAN TRANSPARENCY MEASURES FOR THE ANNUAL CWC
CONFERENCE IN DECEMBER 2009

REF: A. 2009 STATE 100809 (RESPONSE TO LIBYA PAPERS ON
TWO CWC ISSUES)

B. EC-58/NAT.5 AND ADD.1 (LIBYA,S REQUEST FOR
EXTENSION OF CW DESTRUCTION DEADLINES
DATED AUGUST 24 2009 AND OCTOBER 14 2009
RESPECTIVELY)


1. (U) This is an action request for the U.S. Delegation in
The Hague and for Embassy Tripoli; see paragraphs 4 and 5.

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Background
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2. (SBU) A demarche sent in September 2009 (Ref A) defined
transparency measures for Libya,s future communications on
Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) issues that were required
for the United States to join in the October 13-16, 2009
Executive Council session (EC-58) approval of a
recommendation to the Conference of the States Parties (CSP)
for a further extension of Libya,s chemical weapons (CW)
destruction deadlines. These transparency measures apply to
both EC-58 and future communications to the Executive Council
and the November 30 ) December 4, 2009 CSP (CSP-14). During
EC-58 Libya provided the necessary transparency on its plans
for CW destruction, and as a result, the Libyan request for
extension of destruction deadlines was recommended for
approval. It is important to note that in addition to the now
routine calls by the United States and United Kingdom (UK) on
the EC margins for improved Libyan transparency, Sweden,
speaking on behalf of the European Union, called for &clear
and unambiguous information8 about plans, intentions, and
projections on which the extension request is based. This
action resulted in the Libyan delegation submitting
additional information on their plans for CW destruction.


3. (SBU) This demarche provides additional follow-up points
that are needed for Libya,s preparation for and
participation in CSP-14. The overall objective of this follow
up action is twofold: (1) to impress upon the Libyan
representatives the importance of Libya meeting States
Parties, expectations for continued and ongoing
communications regarding Libya,s progress on the Rabta
conversion and the construction of the Rabta Toxic Chemical
Destruction Facility, and (2) to schedule a preparatory
working session with the Libyan delegation the week prior to
the CSP-14 in The Hague.

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Action Requests
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4. (U) The Department requests the U.S. Delegation to the
Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW),
and Embassy Tripoli, respectively, to deliver the discussion
points in paragraph 6 to the appropriate Libyan
representatives in The Hague and in Tripoli, informing both
that the points are being delivered concurrently, and to
report the response by Monday November 16, 2009. Both the
U.S. Delegation to the OPCW and Embassy Tripoli should inform
their UK counterparts of the nature of the discussion, the
recommendation for a preparatory working session in The Hague
during the week preceding CSP-14, and the intention to
solicit the UK CWC delegation participation in the working
session. Please slug responses to ISN/CB, VCI/CCA,
WINPAC/MRIT and NEA/MAG.



5. (U) The CWC delegation should contact the Libyan CWC
delegation as soon as practical, address the points in
paragraph 6, and state our intention to solicit UK CWC
delegation participation in the working session. Embassy
Tripoli should engage Mr. Mohammed Rageb El Ghadi, Head of
the Libyan Committee for the CWC, on these points. (NOTE:
Mr. El Ghadi attended the last Conference and we are
expecting his attendance this year. END NOTE). If Mr. El
Ghadi is not available to meet by November 13, 2009, Embassy
Tripoli should expand the request to include a meeting with
Dr. Ahmed Hesnawy.


6. (SBU) Discussion Points

- The United States commends Libya on the success of our

STATE 00115619 002 OF 002

SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): FOLLOW UP ON
LIBYAN TRANSPARENCY MEASURES FOR THE ANNUAL CWC
CONFERENCE IN DECEMBER 20
bilateral meetings during the October 13-16, 2009 Executive
Council session where we discussed U.S., UK, and Council,s
expectations for Libya,s continued transparency in
communications with States Parties, including specific
information on progress made in preparation for CW
destruction and the Rabta conversion.

- The information provided to the Executive Council by Libya
in October was very useful. The United States urges Libya to
provide continued and full transparency on these issues
during the upcoming annual Conference of the States Parties,
November 30 ) December 4, 2009, in The Hague.

- The need for clear and unambiguous information on the
status of Libya,s preparation for CW destruction was
emphasized by the European Union in its statement during the
October 13-16, 2009 Executive Council session.

- Libya should continue to communicate with both the United
States and the UK during its preparation for a statement from
the floor of the Conference that expands on the information
provided in October and provides any updated information on
progress on CW destruction and conversion efforts.

- Libyan participation from Tripoli during the Conference is
important, particularly including the participation of the
Head of the National Authority.

- The United States suggests a bilateral working session to
help facilitate Libya,s communication during the Conference.
U.S. and Libyan representatives should meet during the week
prior to the Conference, either during the Other Chemical
Production Facilities workshop (November 25-26, 2009) or the
Annual National Authorities, meeting November 27-29, 2009).

- Libya should be prepared to discuss changes in its plan for
CW destruction, such as destroying leaking containers of
chemicals at the Ruwagha storage site, and the changes that
will be required in the Facility Agreement and Verification
Plan.

- If useful, remind the Libyan representatives of the general
guidelines provided in September for communicating the status
the Rabta conversion and preparations for CW destruction:
---a clear update on what has been accomplished relative to
the schedules and benchmarks provided to the Council;
---specific information on any changes or unanticipated
additional delays to planned activities and their impact, if
any, on meeting the conversion and destruction deadlines;
---a summary of progress in the physical conversion of Rabta;
and
---a summary of progress on construction of the Rabta Toxic
Chemicals Destruction Facility,s supporting infrastructure,
and the status of destruction equipment fabrication and
installation.

- In addition, and to continue meeting the concerns raised by
the European Union at the October 13-16, 2009 Executive
Council session, Libya should also include an update on
contracts signed and dates for equipment delivery for the
Rabta Toxic Chemicals Destruction Facility.


7. (U) The Department thanks the U.S. Delegation to the OPCW
and Embassy Tripoli for their assistance. Tripoli impact
minimization was considered in this request. The
point-of-contact for this action is Tom Ferguson, ISN/CB,
(202-647-9650, fergusontl@state.sgov.gov).
CLINTON