CWC: OPCW'S PROPOSED INITIAL VISIT TO IRAQ AND

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000415 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN/CB, VCI/CCA, L/NPV (GIBBS AND BROWN) SECDEF FOR OSD/GSA/CN,CP> SECDEF FOR OSD/GC (WAGER) JOINT STAFF FOR DD PMA-A FOR WTC NSC FOR LUTES BAGHDAD FOR HOLCOMBE AND LTC CREIGHTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PINS PARM PREL KTIA CWC IZ SUBJECT: CWC: OPCW'S PROPOSED INITIAL VISIT TO IRAQ AND U.S. ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ ON DESTRUCTION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS REF: A. OZGA-FERGUSON-CREIGHTON-ROBINSON EMAILS (7/10/09) ¶B. LETTER FROM ROGELIO PFIRTER TO U.S. PERMANENT REPRESENTATION TO OPCW (06/24/09) This is CWC-38-09 ¶1. (U) This is an action message: see paras 10-12. -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) will not send its advance team to visit Baghdad July 12-16, but will postpone this visit until the question of the team's security is clearly and officially addressed. OPCW Deputy Director-General Freeman, the new lead on Iraq issues, has been informed that a delegation from Baghdad will be in The Hague for the EC next week. If that is the case, discussions on security for the OPCW's staff might prove more fruitful than recent communications by letter. -------------- OPCW'S PROPOSED VISIT -------------- ¶3. (SBU) OPCW's Deputy Director-General (DDG),John Freeman (UK) requested an urgent meeting with the U.S. delegation to discuss U.S. security support to OPCW activities in Iraq. Delreps had asked for a meeting July 9 with Chief of Cabinet Richard Ekwall (Sweden),the Organization's coordinator for Iraq assistance. Freeman combined that meeting with his on July 10 stating that he is the new Iraq coordinator for the OPCW. Delreps Beik, Robinson and Smith participated; Ian Richards (UK), Freeman's senior advisor, also attended. ¶4. (SBU) Freeman clarified that the Director- General's (DG) June 24 letter to the U.S. (ref A scanned to ISN/CB) and OPCW's intent to send a team to Iraq was prompted by a letter from the Government of Iraq indicating that Iraq had conducted an initial site visit and that it would now be possible for the Technical Secretariat (TS) to come to Iraq. The DG responded with a letter to Iraqi Ambassador Siamand Banaa that: offered an initial TS visit to Baghdad (not to any of the declared sites),gave two options for dates, and reminded Banaa that Iraq had an obligation to guarantee the safety and security of OPCW personnel. Banaa responded by selecting the July 12-16 dates and did not comment on security. Freeman made a point of telling Delreps that the DG was very interested in making this happen and was looking for ways to do so, NOT excuses not to go. ¶5. (SBU) Earlier this week, the DG followed up with Ambassador Banaa and reminded him that an answer on security would be required before proceeding. As expected, Freeman said that it is now too late for the OPCW to send a team this weekend, so this particular visit is on hold until the security situation can be addressed to the DG's satisfaction. Freeman also made reference to UN security restrictions, including the need for a 7- day notice prior to any movement in country, which he acknowledged could be longer now given recent MNF-I moves out of the cities. ¶6. (SBU) Delreps explained to Freeman that, although informal coordination had been conducted between U.S. and Iraqi forces, the GOI had not officially requested U.S. support for the July 12- 16 visit, which would need to happen before it could be provided. Delrep cited the new U.S.-GOI Qcould be provided. Delrep cited the new U.S.-GOI agreement in place as of January, and the need for all requests to be made to and come through the Government of Iraq, as well as the importance of a clear framework in which requests and security support can take place. Delreps also shared with Freeman that e-mail messages noted that Brigadier General Ali most recently indicated Iraqi forces could handle security on their own; a possibility to which Freeman did not respond. ¶7. (SBU) More broadly, the DDG reviewed a list of International Cooperation and Assistance activities to which Iraq had been invited (and, in some cases, has accepted or already participated). He reiterated the point several TS officials have made - that they do not wish to treat Iraq differently than any other new State Party - and said that engagement with Iraq so far has been comprehensive. Delreps inquired about the TS supporting Iraqi participation in U.S./UK National Authority training. ¶8. (SBU) Delreps told Freeman that the U.S. had received a fairly general request for assistance from Iraq, and were working with the Iraqis on prioritizing and specifying, with the focus likely to be on CW assessment and destruction. Freeman agreed that we should keep in touch to avoid duplication of efforts, and noted that Iraq may also have a "capacity" problem and should be encouraged to prioritize its participation in programs and activities. ¶9. (SBU) Freeman had been informed by the Iraqi Embassy that a delegation from Baghdad will be attending the Executive Council next week. He did not have recent confirmation of a visiting delegation, but a list of names had been sent to the TS from the Iraqi Embassy. (DEL COMMENT: If, in fact, a delegation comes from Baghdad, it might be a good opportunity to clarify points of contact for the security requests, as well as to discuss other assistance requirements. END COMMENT.) -------------- ACTION REQUESTED -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Freeman requested a formal response to the Director General's June 24 letter to the U.S. about the preliminary OPCW visit to Iraq, including security advice and assistance. ¶11. (SBU) Del would appreciate additional guidance for meeting the Iraqi delegation during the EC meeting next week to include possible U.S. assistance to Iraq and providing security support to OPCW personnel. ¶12. (SBU) Please advise what arrangements/MOUs are in place for U.S. assistance with security for travel in Iraq by UN and other international organizations' staff, particularly in light of the recent withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraqi cities. ¶13. (U) BEIK SENDS. FOSTER