CWC: ALGERIAN OPCW DELEGATION ON PROPOSED

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000048 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: 01/26/2020 TAGS: AG PARM PREL PTER CWC SUBJECT: CWC: ALGERIAN OPCW DELEGATION ON PROPOSED CHEMICAL TERRORISM CONFERENCE IN ALGIERS REF: A. STATE 1954 ¶B. 09 ALGIERS 1037 ¶C. 09 STATE 116290 Classified By: Janet E. Beik for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) This is CWC-05-10 ¶1. (U) This is an action request -- see para 7. ¶2. (U) On January 21, Delrep Landsman delivered U.S. budget proposal and funding parameters on the proposed Algerian chemical terrorism conference (Ref A) to Algerian DCM Sid Al Branci. Branci welcomed the proposal and signaled the Algerian Government's continued support to move forward in the organization of the event. The Algerian MFA, in close consultation with the Algiers-based African Center for the Study and Research Against Terrorism (CAERT),proposes the dates of May 3-4 for the conference. ¶3. (U) Branci indicated that the MFA lead office on the conference is the Directorate General for Political Affairs and International Security, headed by former Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the OPCW Benchaa Dani. Dani is personally interested in ensuring the conference moves forward and has been in direct contact with the CAERT. Branci suggested that the U.S. Embassy work with Dani's department and the CAERT in the logistical organization for the conference, as it will be difficult to plan the event from The Hague. In addition to the MFA, Algeria may seek to involve other government ministries. ¶4. (SBU) Branci also stated that it is very important for Algeria that the OPCW be involved in the organization of the conference. While Branci was unsure whether Algeria would seek funding from the OPCW for the event, as he hoped that U.S.-EU- Algerian funding would be sufficient, Algeria ideally would like the OPCW to co-sponsor the event with the CAERT. ¶5. (U) Branci indicated that the next step would be to run the U.S. budget proposal by the MFA and await word on whether the EU also agrees to contribute funding. Branci also sought U.S. clarification on how and to whom specifically (beyond African countries) Algeria should invite, and how international speakers could be identified. With the Algerian MFA's desire to involve the OPCW, Delrep suggested using the OPCW as an already established channel to issue the invitations to relevant delegations and National Authorities. Branci was receptive to this idea, not least because it removed an administrative burden from the Algerian side. Pending respective feedback from capitals, Delrep and Branci agreed to meet next in the coming weeks trilaterally with the OPCW. ¶6. (C) At the end of the meeting, Branci referred to the recent telephone call between his Foreign Minister and the Secretary of State. Branci highly regretted that Algeria was included in the list of 14 countries subjected to additional airline screening following the December 25 attempted terrorist attack. He argued that Algeria should not be grouped in with the other 13 countries because of Algeria's strong record of close counter-terrorism cooperation with the United Qcounter-terrorism cooperation with the United States. ¶7. (U) Del Comment and Action Requested: Del suggests that Embassy Algiers contact Ambassador Dani or his subordinates and the CAERT to coordinate logistical planning for the conference. The May dates appear early for the amount of work to be done. We agree with Branci's assessment that it will be difficult to plan the event in The Hague, except for potential OPCW involvement. Please advise what role the Department sees for the OPCW in this conference, and provide guidance for the prospective meeting with the Algerian delegation and the Technical Secretariat to discuss planning for the conference. ¶8. (U) BEIK SENDS. LEVIN