CWC: QUESTIONS REMAINING ON LIBYA'S CONVERSION

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000141 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: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL CWC LY SUBJECT: CWC: QUESTIONS REMAINING ON LIBYA'S CONVERSION OF ITS FORMER CW PRODUCTION FACILITY AT RABTA REF: STATE 058476 This is CWC-11-09. ¶1. (SBU) This is an action request; see para 4. ¶2. (SBU) On February 20, Delreps Clagett, Ferguson, Prather, and Robinson met with the new Libyan Permanent Representative to the OPCW Ambassador Ahmed Al Walid and Mr. Mohadeb Gheton of the Libyan delegation to try to obtain more specific information on the status of the Rabta conversion and Libyan preparations for CW destruction. Dr.Fathi Asseid, the only technical expert Tripoli sent to EC-55, had already departed for Tripoli. Unfortunately, neither Libyan rep was able to provide any additional detail. Delreps reiterated the importance of Libyan transparency on the status of both projects. Delreps recommended that Libya present a non-paper clearly explaining the technical status of both projects, including details of any problems encountered; and a presentation at the next destruction informals (April 20, 2009) including not only an oral account of progress, but also technical details, photographs and amplifying information that will resonate with the largely non-technical members of the EC. Gheton said that he understood the problem and that he would communicate it to Tripoli, adding that Libyan technical experts would be present at the meeting on April 20. ¶3. (SBU) Gheton then asked for U.S. support for Libya's request to retain the protective berm and sandbag wall around Rabta. It was apparent from his request that Libya is still waiting for confirmation that the U.S. will join consensus on this request, which will require a change to the Rabta conversion plan. Delreps stated that it would be necessary to check with Washington before providing a reply. ¶4. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: -U.S. officials told Libya in 2008 (REF A) that approval of this request to retain the sandbag wall would be contingent upon Libyan fulfillment of several requirements, including a U.S. visit to Rabta. Del requests formal guidance as to whether the U.S. is now in a position to support this request and, if not, exactly what steps must be taken before this will be possible. -The Secretariat has also laid out its proposed procedure for handling this matter. The TS plans to issue a change to the conversion plan in which the sandbag wall will be moved from the list of specialized features to the list of standard features. TS officials believe that this should be accompanied by a Libyan national paper explaining in detail Libya's justification for retaining this feature. Del also requests guidance as to whether this approach is acceptable to the U.S. ¶5. (SBU) Secretariat and Libyan officials have indicated that they are waiting for U.S. approval to move forward with issuing the change document. Please advise. ¶6. (U) Beik sends GALLAGHER