CWC: STATUS UPDATE ON IRAQ'S DESTRUCTION PLANS,

S E C R E T THE HAGUE 000526 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 (BROWN, DENYER AND CRISTOFARO) NSC FOR LUTES WINPAC FOR WALTER E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/02/2019 TAGS: IZ LY PARM PREL RS CWC SUBJECT: CWC: STATUS UPDATE ON IRAQ'S DESTRUCTION PLANS, RUSSIAN DESTRUCTION AND LIBYA'S REQUEST FOR DEADLINE EXTENSION REF: A. THE HAGUE 518 ¶B. E-MAIL FERGUSON-SMITH 8/26/2009 ¶C. STATE 87563 Classified By: Janet E. Beik for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) This is CWC-50-09. ¶1. (U) This is an action request -- see paras 16 and 22. -------------- SUMMARY AND INTRODUCTION -------------- ¶1. (SBU) This cable reports on the U.S. delegation's meetings August 27-31 that provided significant new information on Iraq's planning for destruction of its remaining chemical weapon (CW) stockpile, projections for Russia's ability to meet its CW destruction deadline, and Libya's expected request for the extension of their CW destruction deadline. ¶2. (SBU) On August 27, Dr. Robert Mikulak, visiting ISN/CB Director and U.S. Representative to the Executive Council (EC),and Delreps Beik and Smith met with Russian Delegates Konstantin Gavrilov and Vladimir Ladanov to discuss the selection of the next OPCW Director General (DG) (Ref A),and to clarify some technical inquiries (Ref B) regarding the Russia 90-day report on CW Destruction (as of 30 June 2009, EC-58/P/NAT.1). ¶3. (SBU) On August 27, Delrep Smith met with Libyan Delegate Mohadeb Gheton to obtain a copy of their draft National Paper requesting a destruction deadline extension. 4.(SBU) On August 28, Mikulak and Delrep Smith met with OPCW officials Horst Reeps (Director, Verification Division) , Dominique Anelli (Head, Chemical Demilitarization Branch) and Gabriela Coman-Enescu (Senior Chem-Demil officer) to discuss the Technical Secretariat's (TS) review of the United States and United Kingdom's records pertaining to Recovered Chemical Weapons (RCW) destroyed in Iraq prior to Iraq becoming a State Party to the Convention. ¶5. (S) Following this meeting, Reeps shared insights on the Iraq destruction plan, Russia's destruction progress, and further details on the 9- EK-3264 aerial bomb blocks reported in Russia's most recent 90-day report. ¶6. (SBU) On August 31, Delreps Beik and Smith met with Ambassador Siamand Banaa and Muhannad Al-Miahi at the Iraq Embassy for a discussion of current CW issues relating to Iraq. -------------- RUSSIAN DESTRUCTION -------------- ¶7. (C) During Dr. Mikulak's August 27 meeting at the Russian Embassy, he inquired about the reference to 9-EK-3264 aerial bomb blocks in the most recent 90-day report. Deputy OPCW Rep Gavrilov stated that the 9-EK-3264s are only containers and do not have explosives. The matter of the 9-EK-3264s is currently being considered by the Technical Secretariat. Gavrilov stated that he was not certain about the destruction method, but that he understood simply that the agent is drained, explaining "make a hole, burn, then count." He noted that previously these were done as a test using one hole, but that they are considering whether to use two holes in the process. Gavrilov stated that there is approximately 16-17 kilos of agent per container and that they intend to count this towards their 45% destruction requirement. Gavrilov stated that there about 4,000-6,000 of the containers, but was corrected by Ladanov that there may be closer to 10,000. They are working with the TS on modifications to the applicable Facility Agreement and asserted that this will be put before the Executive Council for review. ¶8. (S) In the later meeting with Reeps on August 28, Mikulak inquired about the 9-EK-3264 aerial bomb blocks. Reeps described them as containers that can be affixed to an aircraft along the bottom with explosives. He stated that they were akin to a German unit used to blow up runways. He indicated that the storage of the containers was likely separate from explosive devices, explaining that this was customary in Russia. He stated that he had seen photos of these units from around 1998 and will attempt to provide a copy to Mikulak during the next EC session. ¶9. (S) Reeps also shared that he had received information on the Russian destruction schedule from a technical expert involved in the activity and that currently the destruction schedule for Pochep extends to 2014. This is consistent with Gavrilov's earlier comments that Russia was experiencing financial challenges. (Del note: reportedly Russian funding for the destruction program has been cut by 30 percent.) -------------- LIBYA'S DEADLINE EXTENSION REQUEST -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Delrep Smith met with Libyan delegate Mohadeb Gheton on August 27 to obtain draft copies of two papers from Libya ) one pertaining to the sandbag wall issue and the other the deadline extension request (copies scanned to ISN/CB in Arabic, August 27). Gheton apologized for the Tripoli representatives' departure without meeting the U.S. Del as requested, saying that they had had to travel back suddenly due to a family death. He described the deadline extension request as a justification for their new proposed deadlines: 1% - November 1, 2010; 20% - December 15, 2010; 45% - January 31, 2011; 100% - May 15, 2011. He also confirmed that both documents were currently in draft form and the goal is to submit them to the EC in final form approximately 30 days in advance of the October session. He stated that once the document was translated, U.S. Del could pass it to the UK delegation and that the Libyan government was in favor of communication with both the U.S. and the UK delegations on these issues. Delrep and Gheton agreed to remain in contact to coordinate on any issues or matters that the USG has with the present drafts, and tentatively scheduled a meeting Qpresent drafts, and tentatively scheduled a meeting immediately prior to the EC session in October. -------------- IRAQ'S DESTRUCTION ACTIVITIES -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Mikulak and Smith's August 28 meeting with Reeps, Anelli and Coman-Enescu opened with the topic of the TS review of U.S. records regarding destruction of CW in Iraq from 2003 until February 2009, which is scheduled to be conducted August 31- September 4. Reeps informed Delreps that the report will not be termed a "joint" report but rather will be an internal report from the TS to the Director General to allow for greater maneuvering by the DG in how he would like to use this report (i.e., as a reference in his own report to the EC, in a Note, or in his general statement to the EC). Reeps provided a copy of the template for the internal report for both the U.S. and UK visits (sent electronically to ISN/CB on August 28). He stated that this had been reviewed by the Legal Department and the DG. Anelli explained that there are minor differences between the two. Anelli and Coman-Enescu indicated a strong preference for the documents to be deemed unclassified, and shared that they were in discussions with the UK to reach agreement. They understood that the U.S. position is that the report be unclassified. They asked Delreps to coordinate with the UK on this matter, preferably prior to their departure. (Del note: Following this meeting, a United Kingdom representative communicated that an unclassified report was preferred for their report as well.) ¶12. (S) After Anelli and Coman-Enescu departed, Reeps turned to Iraq's destruction and the Russian issues reported above. Reeps described the German approach to assistance with CW destruction in Iraq, stating that unmanned robotic devices would be used to gather information. He indicated that the initial plan was to use a mobile device that operated remotely from the control device, but they found that they had to use a remote control device with an umbilical power cord due to electrical/power constraints. He stated that once the device enters the bunker, photographs will be taken and a "sniffer" will be sent in, describing the next step as removing the contents of the bunker and conducting an inventory ) noting that this will be unlike Russia and United States where materials are neatly stacked. He stated that a German company constructed the bunkers and they would look at the blueprints to determine the best point of entry. He projected that the assessment may take several years to complete and noted that Iraqi government does not seem to fully grasp the challenge. ¶13. (SBU) Reeps also shared that the TS has been informed by the United Nations offices that their initial visit to Iraq would not be approved as planned. He indicated that this visit is "off the table for at least the next six months." ¶14. (SBU) Delreps Beik and Smith met with Ambassador Banaa and Muhannad Al-Miahi at the Iraq Embassy on August 31 to exchange information following the Ambassador's return from leave. Delreps provided a copy of the letter from Mikulak to the Director General, dated August 17, 2009, Qto the Director General, dated August 17, 2009, regarding United States assistance with security for the TS visits to Iraq. Banaa stated that the Iraq National Monitoring Authority had replied to the Director General prior to the "black Wednesday" bombing of the Foreign Ministry, asserting that Iraq is prepared to support the security needs of the TS visit. He noted that the situation has changed after the recent Baghdad bombings because of the demonstrated inability of Iraq's own security to provide adequate security at vulnerable sites, and the position that it is politically prudent to show coordination between the United Nations, Iraq, and the United States on this matter. He stated that it is his belief that the United States will be asked to assist in the future. He noted that he understands the concern of the Director General and stated that it has always been the position of the mission in the Hague that the United States should be requested to assist. Al-Miahi noted that there remains confusion in the Baghdad offices over the status of the OPCW and their authority to invoke the U.S.-UN arrangements. He asserted that involvement or direction from the United Nations offices may assist in clarifying the matter for Baghdad. ¶15. (SBU) Delreps also provided the non-Paper and draft agenda (Ref C) for the Iraqi invitation to Washington, DC on October 8-9 to discuss potential assistance from the United States for destruction activity in Iraq. The U.S. plans to fund two individuals, CWC National Authority Head Dr. Mohammed Al Sharaa and Ministry of Defense M-10 Chemical Director General Ali. The Government of Iraq was requested to fund the participation of Iraqi Foreign Ministry official Jwan Khioka and Ambassador Banna. Banna stated that due to recent events of "black Wednesday," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baghdad has issued instruction that only the most urgent matters should be sent back to capital for decision. He explained that the ministry suffered 39 casualties and foreign medical treatment is underway for many officials. He inquired whether the United States might provide for the travel for Banaa and Khioka, noting that he valued the opportunity for Ministry of Foreign Affairs to participate in these meetings. ¶16. (SBU) Action requested: Please advise soonest whether USG funding is available to assist with travel expenses for Amb. Banna and MFA official Jwan Khioka to attend the October 8-9 meeting in Washington. ¶17. (SBU) Al-Miahi provided Delreps with an electronic copy of Iraq's General Destruction Plan, which was recently submitted to the TS. (Copy sent electronically to ISN/CB on August 31.) ¶18. (SBU) Delreps noted that the TS is presently reviewing the U.S. and UK records pertaining to the destruction of Recovered Chemical Weapons (RCW) in Iraq prior to Iraq's becoming a State Party to the CWC. Banaa asked who from the TS was doing the review. ¶19. (C) Banaa then stated that he had recently discussed the matter of records with Al Sharaa and is in favor of reviewing the package submitted to the UN in (he thought it was in 2002 by Tariq Aziz),and segregating the chemical portion. He asked whether the U.S. could help Iraq obtain copies of the UN records. (Del note: In previous meetings, Banaa has acknowledged that the current Iraqi government's WMD records prior to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein are incomplete, and that Iraq had cited supplier countries in their CWC declaration based on UN reports but without full Qdeclaration based on UN reports but without full documentation. End note) ¶20. (C) Banaa said that he had received letters from the Ambassadors from Brazil and Germany requesting information related to the citation in Iraq's declaration. Delrep mentioned that the TS has sent a request to the United States regarding a transfer included in the Iraq declaration and that a response is currently under consideration in Washington. Banaa stated that other countries (naming Russia, Bulgaria and Spain) are likely awaiting the U.S. response prior to submitting their own. He opined that the U.S. response should be studied carefully and urged that the United States "own up" to the history under Saddam's regime with an open and transparent response, particularly if the activities were criminalized. He cited the Netherlands as an example, stating that they had identified a company that performed as a middle man for an Italian and a German company to sell materials to Iraq for the CW program, noting that the Netherlands addressed this activity through criminal prosecution. ¶21. (S) Banna also alluded to Cw-related activity by non-member states Egypt and Syria, noting that at one time Egypt had 400 engineers working on the CW program in Iraq, and that "there are people in Syria, but not Syrian" who had worked on the program. ¶22. (SBU) Action requested: Please advise whether the USG can assist with Iraq's efforts to obtain copies of UN records on Iraq's WMD programs prior to 2003. ¶24. (U) BEIK SENDS. LEVIN