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.

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SUMMARY
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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.

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OPCW'S PROPOSED VISIT
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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.)

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ACTION REQUESTED
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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