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