DEMARCHE ON BIOLOGICAL AND TOXIN WEAPON CONVENTION

UNCLAS WINDHOEK 000176 STATE FOR AF/S, ISN, AND IO/UNP SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MCAP PREL WA SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON BIOLOGICAL AND TOXIN WEAPON CONVENTION ¶1. On May 14, Ambassador Mathieu joined her counterparts from Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as the DCM from France, to deliver a demarche to MFA Permanent Secretary Veiccoh Nghiwete regarding the Biological and Toxin Weapon Convention (BTWC). Deputy Permanent Secretary Asheeke and Multilateral Affairs Department head Andjaba were also present. Drawing on common talking points, the envoys highlighted UNSC Resolution 1540 and emphasized the security, political, and economic benefits from joining the BTWC. ¶2. Noting that Namibia is a member of the IAEA and UN, and a party to the NPT, Nghiwete emphasized that Namibia is a responsible member of the international community. He added that Namibia had also adhered to the many AU agreements governing international relations. He ventured that when the time was right, Namibia would ratify and sign the Convention. As a cross-cutting issue, the Ministries of Defense, Agriculture, Health, Environment, and Trade would be involved in the decision making process. ¶3. Nghiwete further remarked that the BTWC should not be considered in a vacuum. He stressed that the international community should address the causes and sources of biological weapons in addition to focusing on end-users. Mathieu