VZCZCXYZ0006
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTC #2445/01 3190944
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 150944Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7416
INFO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 002445 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR ISN/CB, VCI/CCB, L/ACV, IO/S 
SECDEF FOR OSD/ISP 
JOINT STAFF FOR DD PMA-A FOR WTC 
COMMERCE FOR BIS (GOLDMAN) 
NSC FOR DICASAGRANDE 
WINPAC FOR WALTER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PARM PREL CWC
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): WRAP-UP FOR THE 
47TH SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, NOVEMBER 7-10, 2006 
 
REF: STATE 182993 (NOTAL) 
 
This is CWC-103-06. 
 
------- 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
¶1.  (U) It was not possible to reach agreement at EC-47 on 
the U.S. request for an extension of the 100% destruction 
deadline, as details could not be ironed out regarding visit 
to the U.S. and Russia in connection with both extension 
requests.  There also was no agreement on the 2007 OPCW 
budget, where the major stumbling block was the Chinese 
insistence that the number of OCPF inspections could not 
exceed 108 (instead of the 130 proposed by the Director 
General).  As a result, both issues will be addressed at an 
EC meeting to be held on December 4, immediately before the 
December 5-8 Conference of the States Parties. 
 
¶2.  (U) There was consensus on a document extending the 
follow-up to the action plan on implementation of Article VII 
obligations after Iran indicated its willingness at the last 
minute to do a deal.  The EC managed to take decisions on a 
number of issues, most notably, the Director General's 
proposal regarding tenure policy.  In addition, the EC 
approved the Albanian intermediate destruction deadlines, a 
mechanism for states Parties to regularize their arrears and 
have voting rights restored, a number of facility agreements 
and verification plans, measures regarding the transfer of 
Schedule 3 chemicals to States not party, and establishment 
of a Host Country Committee (fully supported by the Dutch 
government).  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
EXTENSION REQUEST 
----------------- 
 
¶3.  (U) There was no agreement on the U.S. and Russian 
requests to establish dates for the 100 percent CW 
destruction deadline (i.e., April 29, 2012), and the issue 
was deferred to a Dec. 4 EC meeting.  The focus of discussion 
during the week, both in open meetings and in closely held 
meetings between the U.S., UK and Russia, was on the issue of 
visits by Council representatives to CW destruction 
facilities and narrowing the difference over the details. 
The U.S. del, on a bilateral basis, also discussed possible 
changes to the preambular section of the U.S. decision 
document, primarily to address concerns about U.S. 
projections of not meeting the 2012 deadline. 
 
¶4. (U) Wishing to avoid the perception that accepting visits 
would reflect a skeptical assessment on Russian progress made 
on CW destruction, Russia reiterated that it cannot accept 
any reference to site visits in the decision document 
establishing the 100 percent deadline, and continued to push 
for the concept of visits to be applied, if only in 
principle, to all possessors receiving extensions beyond 
April 2007.  Russia also continued to push back on making 
visits automatic, arguing that they should be triggered by 
specific conditions on the ground or concerns raised by 
States Parties at that time. 
 
¶5.  (U) Trilateral negotiations concluded with the U.S. and 
UK providing Russia with a revised proposal on specific visit 
parameters (forwarded to Washington) which targets having 
each CW destruction facility being visited at least once 
during the extension period (2007-2012), but does not 
explicitly require that these visits occur annually.  It 
further implies that some sites may not need to be visited if 
the conditions do not warrant (e.g., hypothetically, if a 
facility is operating on schedule, per TS reporting, and 
completes operations well in advance of 2012).  It was 
communicated to the Russian del that if agreement can be 
reached on appropriate conditions for carrying out visits 
that gives confidence to the U.S., UK and others, then there 
could be flexibility on format, with the likely result being 
separate decisions on the extension requests and site visits, 
to be approved at the same time.  The three delegations 
 
agreed to meet the week of November 13, at which time Russia 
would respond to the U.S./UK proposal based on inputs from 
Moscow. 
 
¶6.  (U) In wider discussions, general support for conducting 
site visits remained strong and widespread, particularly 
among the WEOG.  Informal consultations were held to allow 
delegations to express views on possible elements of such 
visits (e.g., purpose, composition, frequency, cost, 
reporting, etc.), given the multiple proposals/papers that 
had been previously distributed by the U.S., UK, and Russia. 
South Africa and Turkey raised the issue of cost of 
participation and its relationship to gaining widespread 
regional representation (i.e., developing countries might not 
be able to participate in visits because of costs).  Germany, 
affirmed by France, indicated that the EU was considering a 
provision in its next Joint Action Plan that would help cover 
the costs of participating in site visits. 
 
¶7.  (U) Russia and India emphasized the need to clarify what 
conditions would prompt conducting a specific visit, with the 
latter likely motivated by concerns about Russia's proposal 
to apply visits to all possessors.  Iran offered that the 
visits should not only be to destruction sites (i.e., should 
include capitals) and emphasized the importance of visit 
reporting, particularly the role of the EC as a whole.  The 
UK, drawing upon proposed text, responded that as long as the 
opportunity for discussions with senior government officials 
exist, it should be left to the host country to determine how 
that takes place (i.e., who, when and where). 
 
----------- 
2007 BUDGET 
----------- 
 
¶8.  (U) The EC deferred action on the 2007 Program and Budget 
until an EC meeting to be held on Dec. 4.  In the interim, 
consultations will be held in an attempt to resolve the major 
outstanding issue - the distribution of Article VI Industry 
Inspections, specifically OCPF inspections.  China remains 
the major stumbling block on this issue insisting that no 
more than 108 OCPF inspections can be budgeted for in 2007. 
Other delegations, such as Iran, Mexico, and India, had 
questioned the DG's proposal for 130 OCPF inspections right 
from the start of the budget consultations in July.  China, 
however, apparently focused on this matter recently, and was 
vehement in its opposition to the 130 number, claiming it 
represented not just an increase, but so sharp an increase 
that it amounted to a change in policy without time for 
discussion in order to reach consensus.  Indeed, the Chinese 
Ambassador personally made the objections to the 130 number 
in last-minute budget consultations. 
 
¶9.  (U) In response, the DG made a strong statement at the 
consultations explaining the justification for the 130 OCPF 
inspections.  Ambassador Javits expressed strong support for 
the DG's proposal, as did a number of delegations (Australia, 
Switzerland and a number of other WEOG delegations were 
particularly outspoken).  However, China refused to move 
higher than 108.  In the run-up to the Dec. 4 meeting, the TS 
will produce a paper on the need for substantially more OCPF 
inspections and the co-facilitators will continue to seek to 
reach agreement on a number.  With regard to other minor 
considerations, agreement was reached on some textual changes 
sought by Iran.  The only other outstanding issue is an 
apparently resolvable concern among NAM delegations for more 
ICA spending. 
 
----------- 
ARTICLE VII 
----------- 
 
¶10.  (U) The EC adopted the decision, "Sustaining Follow-Up 
to the Plan of Action Regarding the Implementation of Article 
VII Obligations."  Key elements were the EC recommendation 
that the Conference extend the Follow-On Plan for another 
year, that the EC Chairperson contact the states that had yet 
to establish National Authorities and to report on these 
contacts to EC-50, and that the TS report to the EC on the 
 
phase of the legislative process that implementing states 
have achieved. 
 
---------------------------- 
DIRECTOR GENERAL'S STATEMENT 
---------------------------- 
 
¶11. (U) DG Pfirter stated that the EC should support the 
extension requests of the U.S. and Russia.  He spoke at 
length about the status of destruction of various nations 
including India, Albania, a State Party, and the U.S.  He 
noted that Russia's estimates of quantity destroyed differed 
from the TS and they hoped to reconcile this soon.  He asked 
for continued international assistance to the Russian 
destruction program.  The DG highlighted the proposed 
increase in OCPF inspections and said it is predicated on CWC 
requirements and the TS assessment of what needs to be done 
in each category.  He emphasized that not enough has been 
done in relation to Schedule 3 plants sites and OCPFs  The TS 
has identified some 4,600 OCPFs of relevance and in 10 years 
has only inspected 8% of them.  If the proposal of 130 
inspections is approved, they will still have only inspected 
10%.  He said most SPs are supportive, but some are concerned 
this will lead to a higher number of inspections for them. 
He noted the reason OCPFs are declared in the first place is 
their relevance to the CWC, and they should expect them to be 
inspected. 
 
¶12.  (U) The DG reported on the courses and other activities 
during the intersessional period.  He referred to regional 
meetings of National Authorities held in Indonesia and 
Tanzania, as well as courses co-hosted by Spain, France.  He 
also reported that with the addition of the Central African 
Republic and Comoros, there are 180 SPs, an important 
milestone of the universality action plan.  The DG noted that 
there remain only 15 states not-party, and the TS is working 
with Congo, Iraq, Lebanon, Montenegro and Myanmar with the 
hope that they will join soon.  He also noted the effort made 
on universality in the Caribbean, and in the Mediterranean 
Basin at the Rome conference. 
 
¶13.  (U) The DG expressed support for the counter-terrorism 
efforts of the OPCW and consideration of an OPCW office in 
Africa.  He noted the work and planning for the various 
events related to the 10th anniversary of the CWC.  He 
referred to the proposed (less than) zero nominal growth 2007 
budget as balanced, allowing for the growth in expenditures 
and additional inspections, as well as an increase in the ICA 
division.  He also noted with satisfaction the agreement on 
regularizing payment of contributions to the OPCW.  Finally, 
the DG referred to his note on the future implementation of 
the tenure policy and stressed that its fine tuning is 
essential to avoid a major disruption for the TS.  The DG's 
statement is on the OPCW website. 
 
-------------- 
GENERAL DEBATE 
-------------- 
 
¶14. (U) Predominant topics during the general debate were the 
U.S. and Russian extension requests, the 2007 budget and 
Article VII.  All statements on the extension request 
generally echoed the view that possessor states should do 
their best to complete destruction by April 29, 2012.  Some 
expressed the view that missing the 2012 date would adversely 
affect the CWC itself. Others, including South Africa and 
Iran, were concerned about the terminology in the U.S. 
detailed destruction plan (which refers to destruction past 
2012), as it indirectly says the U.S. will not make the 2012 
deadline.  Many, though not all, statements referred to the 
visits to the possessor states.  Mexico and Russia advocated 
making the extension requests and visits separate decisions. 
The EU and Ireland were the only statements to specifically 
mention annual visits; the EU and Iran had the only mention 
of visits to capital as well as to sites.  Russia gave 
figures on how much has been spent for destruction activities 
and stated its belief they can achieve 20% destruction by 
¶2007. 
 
¶15. (U) Delegations were generally supportive of the 2007 ZNG 
budget.  Some pushed for more funding for International 
Cooperation and Assistance.  Many expressed concern about the 
additional OCPF inspections and some felt this should be 
discussed in wider consultations.  On Article VII, all 
parties were pleased that the program of assistance from 
CSP-10 had achieved solid results and most stated this 
decision should be extended for another year.  The EU 
statement linked implementation of Article VII with UN 
resolution 1540.  Delegates were pleased at the achievement 
of 180 signatories, and expressed pleasure at the success of 
the Rome workshop.  Most statements mentioned and supported 
the DG's note on tenure, and some mentioned the need for more 
geographic and gender distribution of OPCW jobs. 
 
¶16. (U) Establishment of a Host Country Committee met with 
approval.  General agreement on the establishment of an 
Africa Office was also mentioned in some statements.  In 
particular, the Africa Group and South Africa urged the TS to 
work harder to get the requested information on opening an 
office in different locations within Africa.  On abandoned 
Japanese CW in China, Japan stated it has recovered over 
1,300 so far and China urged Japan to intensify efforts. 
Cuba as the chair of the Nonaligned Movement gave the NAM 
statement, and later took the floor to give its own national 
statement -- the main focus of which was to link the blockade 
of Cuba by the U.S. to lack of implementation of Article XI. 
 
------------------ 
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS 
------------------ 
 
¶17.  (U) Other items at EC-47 are listed below, with the 
numbering used in the annotated provisional agenda. 
 
(U) Item 5.1:  Indian CWDF.  The EC approved the verification 
plan for the CWDF in India.  A corrigendum was issued that 
captured previous U.S. concerns.  As a result, the U.S. was 
able to join consensus on the associated facility agreement 
that was also approved. 
 
(U) Item 5.2: Pine Bluff.  The EC approved the amendments to 
the agreed detailed plan for verification of the destruction 
of CW at the Pine Bluff Chemical Agent disposal facility. 
 
(U) Item 5.3:  Umatilla.  At the request of the U.S., the 
amendments to the agreed detailed plan for verification of 
the destruction of CW at the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal 
Facility were deferred until the Dec. 4 EC meeting.  Russia 
had indicated that Moscow needs more time to study the 
document, which was distributed somewhat late by the TS. 
 
(U) Item 5.4:  Aberdeen (HD facility).  The EC approved the 
combined plan for the destruction and verification of the HD 
Production, Distillation, and Fill Facility, Aberdeen Proving 
Ground-Edgewood. 
 
(U) Item 5.5: U.S. extension request.  Discussed above. 
 
(U) Item 5.6: Russian extension request.  Discussed above. 
 
(U) Item 5.7:  Albania.  With no debate, the EC approved the 
recommendation to the CSP that it revise Albania's 
intermediate destruction deadlines. 
 
(U) Item 5.8: Russian paper on visits.  The Russian national 
paper on visits was discussed as part of the extension 
request deliberations. 
 
(U) Item 5.9: Aberdeen (HD Facility).  The EC approved the 
facility agreement of the HD Production, Distillation and 
Fill Facility at Aberdeen Proving Ground-Edgewood. 
 
(U) Item 5.10: Indian CWDF.  The EC approved the facility 
agreement for the CWDF in India. 
 
(U) Item 5.11 and 5.12: Pine Bluff.  The EC approved the 
related amendments to the facility agreement regarding 
on-site inspections at the Pine Bluff Chemical Agent Disposal 
 
Facility and the related amendments to the agreed detailed 
plan for verification of the destruction of CW. 
 
(U) Item 5.13 and 5.14: Umatilla.  At the request of the 
U.S., the note and associated amendments to the facility 
agreement regarding on-site inspections at the Umatilla 
Chemical Agent Disposal Facility was deferred until the Dec. 
4 EC meeting.  Again, this was due to the Russian request as 
a result of late distribution of the document by the TS. 
 
(U) Item 5.15: Article VII.  Discussed above. 
 
(U) Item 5.16: Universality.  The EC considered the annual 
report on the implementation of the action plan on 
Universality.  The facilitator for Universality, Said Moussi 
(Algeria), briefed the Council on recent activities related 
to Universality, and the EC noted with satisfaction the 
progress made at the recent workshop on Universality in the 
Mediterranean region and the Middle East.  Several 
delegations, including the U.S., thanked Italy for its 
sponsorship of the event. 
 
(U) Item 5.17: Optimization of Verification.  With no debate, 
the EC noted a Note by the TS on optimization and efficiency 
of verification activities in the U.S., Russia, India, 
Albania, and a State Party.  The TS note included a 
classified annex with details on each State Party that the 
del will forward to Washington. 
 
(U) Item 5.18: Challenge Inspection.  The EC noted the DG's 
Note on Readiness of the TS to conduct a Challenge 
Inspection.  Switzerland emphasized the importance of 
continued exercises to maintain readiness. 
 
(U) Item 5.19: Schedule 3 Transfers.  Due to some editorial 
mistakes by the TS, the decision language had to be modified 
slightly to correctly reflect the language that achieved 
consensus in the consultation.  With those corrections in 
place, the EC approved the decision.  For SPs like the U.S., 
that have adopted the necessary measures to ensure that 
Schedule 3 chemicals transfers to non-SPs are for 
non-prohibited purposes (i.e., via end-use certificates), 
this decision makes no change to current practices. 
 
(U) Item 5.20: Schedule 2A/2A*.  Steve Wade (UK) briefed the 
EC on progress made on low-concentration limits for Schedule 
2A/2A* chemicals.  His report included work to date, the fact 
that two options (his October 2005 option and the current 
one) had received endorsement of the Legal Advisor's Office, 
and that his current option was in his opinion the closest he 
had gotten to consensus.  Many delegations, including the 
U.S., expressed thanks to the facilitator, along with regrets 
on failure to reach consensus and support for future work. 
The DG thanked Wade for his effort and announced his new 
position within the TS (Head of Declarations Branch), which 
he will begin in December.  The report language for this 
issue places a marker in calling for a consensus decision to 
be reached before the Second RevCon.  If consensus is not 
achieved, which is very likely, this allows this item to be 
readily addressed during the RevCon. 
 
(U) Item 5.21: Revisions to Specifications.  The EC 
considered and noted a Note by the DG on further revisions to 
the specifications for two items of approved inspection 
equipment: (1) the sample-collection kit, and (2) the GC-MS 
sample-preparation kit. 
 
(U) Item 5.22: VIR.  The EC noted the 2005 Verification 
Implementation Report and the supplement.  At the request of 
the FRG, the report also notes the Chairperson's summary of 
the consultations on the VIR and that the EC decided to 
consider further the issues identified in para 4 of the 
summary.  Iran commented on an export to Israel from India, 
and reported that it had addressed the issue with India. Iran 
went on to say that more pressure should be applied to Israel 
to join the Convention.  Per guidance, del rep thanked the TS 
for its continuing efforts to give SPs timely information on 
verification activities. 
 
(U) Item 6: Lists of New Validated Data.  Before this issue 
could be discussed, the Chair reminded delegations that the 
TS was to have prepared a Note laying out the implications of 
 
SIPDIS 
the inclusion of these new data.  She informed them that the 
Note had not yet been prepared, and asked that this agenda 
item be deferred.  The DG intervened to say that they are 
awaiting input from delegations before the Note can be 
prepared.  Del will investigate what information the TS needs 
to complete this work and from whom they are expecting it, 
with the goal of getting these data approved at the next EC. 
 
(U) Item 7: OPCW Office in Africa.  The facilitator briefed 
the EC on the progress that has been made during the 
intersessional period.  While the facilitator's initial focus 
had been on a UN office in Lome, much of the African Group 
had been pushing for consideration of African Union 
facilities in Addis Ababa.  The Sudanese Ambassador notably 
said that the Africa Group hoped the facilitator would 
examine all worthwhile options. 
 
(U) Item 8.1: 2007 budget.  Discussed above. 
 
(U) Item 8.2: Medium-Term Plan.  The EC also deferred action 
on this item until the Dec. 4 EC meeting. 
 
(U) Item 8.3-8.5: Arrears.  The EC approved a decision 
recommending that CSP-11 approve a mechanism for SPs to 
regularize their arrears and have their voting rights 
restored.  The German delegation requested that the DG notify 
SPs that are in arrears of approval of the plan and encourage 
them to regularize their arrears with a view to restoring 
their voting rights. 
 
(U) Item 8.6: The EC noted the DG's Note on Implementation of 
the Office of Internal Oversight Recommendations. 
 
(U) Item 8.7: The EC noted the DG's note on Implementation of 
External Auditor's Recommendations.  The new facilitator for 
the External Auditors report and the OIO report, (Rick 
Snelsire, U.S.) announced that he would hold consultations on 
both of these reports prior to CSP-11. 
 
(U) Item 8.8: Tenure Policy Modification.  The EC considered 
the DG's Note on the future implementation of the OPCW policy 
on tenure and approved a recommendation for consideration at 
CSP-11.  The DG provided assurances that he will publish a 
note by mid-2007 regarding the loss of experience due to the 
age restriction as well as information on difficulties in 
hiring technical specialists. 
 
(U) Item 8.9: The EC noted the DG's Note on the Report of 
Security Audit Team IV. 
 
(U) Item 8.10: The EC noted the DG's Report on Income and 
Expenditure for the period up to June 30. 
 
(U) Item 8.11: The EC noted the DG's report on Income and 
Expenditure for the period up to September 30 and use of the 
Working Capital Fund. 
 
(U) Item 9: The EC approved a decision recommending that 
CSP-11 establish a Committee on Relations with the Host 
Country.  The Netherlands expressed its clear support for the 
proposal and then fought off a request by Iran to specify 
that there be "high" representation on the committee. 
 
(U) Item 10.1: The EC concluded a privileges and immunities 
agreement with Burkina Faso.  On 10.1 and 10.2, del rep made 
the intervention as per reftel guidance that the U.S. does 
not believe that these establish a precedent. 
 
(U) Item 10.2: The EC concluded a P&I agreement with Uruguay. 
 
 
(U) Item 11: The EC approved its report on the performance of 
its activities from July 2005 to July 2006. 
 
(U) Item 12: EC Sessions in 2007.  The EC affirmed the agreed 
dates for EC sessions in 2007.  Del rep made an intervention 
 
to note that the Conference at CSP-11 may wish to consider 
holding CSP-13 during the period Dec. 2-5.  This would allow 
for an efficient work schedule in 2008 of four EC sessions 
concluding with the CSP.  This was included in report 
language. 
 
(U) Item 13.1: Under any other business, the EC noted the 
report of ABAF's 21st Session (ABAF-21/1, dated September 13, 
2006). 
 
(U) Item 13.2: The EC also approved the reappointment of Mr. 
Vladimer Iossifov (Russia) to ABAF for another three year 
term. 
 
------------------- 
DISCUSSIONS WITH TS 
------------------- 
 
¶18.  (U) DOD rep met with TS staff to address a number of 
technical issues, first among which was the inconsistent 
implementation of optimization measures at U.S. CW 
destruction facilities.  The TS agreed additional training 
would be necessary, even for experienced inspectors.  The TS 
inquired as to the availability of a destruction facility for 
hands-on training, and suggested a facility in a period of 
inactivity would be ideal.  TS reps emphasized that this 
approach resulted in a savings of approximately 18,000 Euros 
in training funds last year.  DOD rep reminded TS that, as 
destruction schedules are subject to change, possible 
scheduling of such training could be better explored in early 
¶2007.  DOD rep also addressed the final summary report for 
CAMDS, inspection team composition for the beginning of 
operations at the Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility in 
Deer Park, Texas, analytical procedures for ton container 
transparency measures, and potential trending data concerns. 
 
-------------- 
DONORS MEETING 
-------------- 
 
¶19.  (U) Chair & Dutch MFA Rep Frank Van Beuningen 
recommended officially going to two meetings per year 
(probably to coincide with the March and September 2007 EC 
sessions).  There followed the normal tour de table, with 
interventions from Russia, UK, Canada, France, New Zealand, 
Italy, Switzerland, U.S., Germany, Finland, Belgium, Czech 
Republic, Netherlands.  However, Russia's statement this time 
placed even more emphasis on difficulties it is experiencing 
with donor states, particularly the UK, U.S., Germany (Russia 
cited problems with German systems at operational sites, 
noting this caused serious "safety concerns") and New 
Zealand.  The UK in turn noted there have been significant 
delays, and that it believes it should ensure taxpayer money 
is spent wisely. 
 
¶20.  (U) The UK and Canada gave a detailed overview of 
assistance efforts at Shchuch'ye and Khizner.  As usual, 
Russian and U.S. figures differed greatly in terms of actual 
dollar expenditures in Russia.  The U.S. expressed a desire 
to provide clarification.  Van Beuningen is still very 
interested in a detailed presentation from the U.S. in March 
¶2007. 
 
--------------------- 
DESTRUCTION INFORMALS 
--------------------- 
 
¶21.  (U) The Nov. 6 meeting opened as usual with the TS 
presentation of destruction and verification activities. The 
TS reported that Russia has completed destruction of 1680 MT 
 
SIPDIS 
at Kambarka. The TS also reported that India has completed 
destruction of some 70% of its total stockpile and A State 
Party has completed destruction of some 85% of its total 
stockpile. 
 
¶22.  (U) Russia reported that its facility at Kambarka was 
nearly up to full capacity for destruction of lewisite. In 
the discussion of Maradykovskiy, Russia maintained its claims 
that the neutralization process, which began in late August 
 
(a date verified by the TS), is sufficient for destruction. 
As such, Russia claims it has "destroyed" 2,200 MT of agent 
at Maradykovskiy, and 3,500 MT will be destroyed by 31 
January 2007. With this number, Russia claims destruction of 
13% of its stockpile as of 31 January (as opposed to the c. 
7% reported by the TS).  However, Russia also acknowledged 
that it plans to subject the reaction masses to "thermal 
processing" and that this will begin in January. Russia still 
maintains that the neutralization process will enable them to 
meet the 20% deadline in April 2007. 
 
¶23.  (U) Germany questioned if these projections included the 
"thermal processing," and Russia responded by repeating its 
comments about the process. In both speeches, Russia stated 
that the "thermal decontamination unit" would have a capacity 
of 1.3 MT/hr. This number was also given in a document 
containing Russian responses to U.S. questions. Russia 
reported that as of November 5, 100% of the aviation bombs at 
Maradykovskiy have been treated. 
 
¶24.  (U) India did not report on its destruction progress. 
 
¶25.  (U) China and Japan had their usual entertaining 
exchange on ACW in China.  China claimed that Japan is too 
slow in inspecting and dealing with the sites that China 
reports to Japan. Japan responded by saying the proprietary 
work has begun in the Hubei province and that it has 
conducted several exchanges and inspections. 
 
¶26.  (U) A State Party reported that it has destroyed 501 MT 
to date, which accounts for 85% of its stockpile. A State 
Party plans to finish its destruction for the year in 
mid-November and is confident that it will start up again 
soon next year to complete on time. 
 
¶27.  (U) Italy noted it has submitted a request to extend its 
deadline for the destruction of Old Chemical Weapons to April 
29, 2012. 
 
¶28.  (U) Libya reported its revised destruction deadlines as: 
1% - 1 May 2010; 20% - 1 July 2010; 45% - 1 November 2010; 
and 100% - 31 December 2010. Libya expects to complete 
destruction of its Category II stockpile by 31 December 2011. 
 
¶29.  (U) Albania reported that it had a problem with its 
incinerator during the testing phase, that it had submitted 
revised deadlines to the TS, and that it expects destruction 
operations to begin at Qaf Molla in early December. Albania 
still expects to meet the April 2007 deadline for final 
destruction. 
 
¶30.  (U) Javits sends. 
BLAKEMAN