Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09THEHAGUE141
2009-02-26 16:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
CWC: QUESTIONS REMAINING ON LIBYA'S CONVERSION
how-toVZCZCXRO3587 OO RUEHTRO DE RUEHTC #0141 0571610 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 261610Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2590 INFO RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 1817 RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY 2403 RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFIUU/DTRA ALEX WASHINGTON DC//OSAC PRIORITY
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.
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
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