VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTC #0284/01 0451503
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 141503Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8199
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 000284 
 
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 LEDDY 
WINPAC FOR WALTER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PARM PREL CWC
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): WRAP-UP FOR 
WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 9 
 
This is CWC-13-07. 
 
---------------- 
U.S. DESTRUCTION 
---------------- 
 
¶1.  (U) Amb. Javits and del rep met with DG Pfirter, at the 
DG's request.  Pfirter said he had been contacted by 
"concerned delegations" (read: Germany) regarding the latest 
information on the U.S. destruction program.  The DG's 
priority is, of course, to view this in terms of what it will 
mean for the OPCW, both internally, and as it is viewed by 
others.  However, he is also quite concerned that this issue 
not "bog down" the Second Review Conference.  Standard 
reporting and transparency aside, the DG and Rafael Grossi, 
his chief of staff, are strongly in favor of the U.S. 
offering a site visit well in advance of the RevCon.  They 
believe this is one of the most positive steps the U.S. could 
take in mitigating the damage likely to occur as a result of 
the message of completion of destruction in 2023.  They are 
hopeful that ensuring maximum transparency in the U.S. 
destruction process might enable delegations to focus on 
something other than the U.S. (and/or Russian) CW destruction 
in the run-up to the RevCon. 
 
¶2.  (U) Delegation would appreciate Washington views on what 
might be feasible in terms of supporting a site visit in 
2007, keeping in mind the fact that any visit will have to be 
somehow discussed and settled upon by the EC, which is 
unlikely to be a rapid process.  Other constraints to 
consider would be the dates of Executive Council sessions, 
preparatory work before the EC sessions, and the pace of 
RevCon preparation, which should pick up this autumn. 
 
¶3.  (U) In terms of impact on RevCon discussions, the DG also 
requested the U.S. provide any points that we would like him 
to draw on if delegations ask him about reports of completion 
of destruction as late as 2023 or what he anticipates might 
happen when we reach 2012 and States Parties are still 
destroying CW.  Given the fact that the DG will be on the 
dais during RevCon Working Group meetings, and that the next 
meeting (on February 20) covers the topic of CW destruction, 
del would appreciate any thoughts on points we might provide 
for the DG's consideration prior to the Feb. 20 meeting. 
 
 
----------------------------------------- 
PADILLA INITIATIVE - ARTICLE VII OUTREACH 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (U) Amb. Maarten Lak (Netherlands) held an informal 
meeting of "assistance-minded" delegations - the U.S., 
Algeria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cuba, Germany, Italy, 
Japan, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, the UK.  The 
overall topics for the discussion were (in the chairman's 
words): (1) which States need assistance to ensure coverage 
of most relevant countries; (2) possibilities to assist 
nationally; (3) preparation of exchange of views with the 
Technical Secretariat at a later date; and (4) follow up. 
 
¶5.  (U) Some delegations spoke up of their own accord, while 
Amb. Lak called on others: 
 
-- Belgium discussed their desire to focus on central Africa, 
while emphasizing their belief that the TS needs to take the 
lead. 
 
-- Portugal spoke of their work with Portuguese-language 
countries - Sao Tome and Principe (which has draft 
legislation progressing), Cape Verde (no National Authority), 
and Mozambique (no National Authority).  They spoke of a 
group of Portuguese-language countries called the CPLP, which 
they are trying to use to forward this effort.  They are also 
working with Brazil to help them be more active in these 
assistance efforts.  When questioned about Angola, they 
stated that this was a much more difficult case. 
 
-- Mexico spoke of their work with Honduras and the Dominican 
Republic, which are separate from any TS efforts.  They 
 
expressed their willingness to work with other 
Spanish-language countries, while cautioning against 
appearing to drive unwilling States Parties. 
 
-- Australia spoke of their work in the past with New Guinea 
and Pacific islands.  Their intention now is to turn to those 
that most need their assistance (referring to the Padilla 
initiative).  They have current plans with Indonesia 
(February industry seminar with Japan, no TS involvement) and 
the Philippines.  They intend to leave the Pacific island 
focus to New Zealand in the future.  They also referenced an 
Asia/Pacific leaders meeting in August that could be an 
avenue (no more details provided). 
 
-- Japan intends to focus on Asian industry in SPs with 
legislation already in place.  They mentioned their current 
efforts with Indonesia and expressed possible interest in the 
Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam. 
 
-- Spain expressed their desire to continue supporting 
Spanish-language countries, responding either to requests 
from SPs directly or from the TS.  They mentioned upcoming 
meetings in Buenos Aires and Bogota, as well as other 
meetings, as possible venues. 
 
-- Cuba spoke of their desire to support Spanish-language 
countries, responding to SP or TS requests. 
 
-- South Africa emphasized their opinion that SPs need to 
express their willingness to receive assistance, to avoid 
"polite" acceptors who will not follow through. 
 
-- Canada will continue taking a "responsive stance", with a 
desired focus on English- and French-language countries in 
the Caribbean. 
 
-- The UK only referred to their continuing training 
seminars, while referencing the decision languages that these 
SPs need to avail themselves of assistance. 
 
¶6.  (U) Lak spoke of the next steps of a meeting with TS to 
discuss their plans and, hopefully, to coordinate with 
individual assistance-providing SPs. 
 
¶7.  (U) On Feb. 7, the Del received a letter from the 
Philippine Embassy, requesting "technical assistance" from 
the U.S. for an industry seminar.  This was followed by a 
request to meet with Del Rep (Denyer) about the details. 
During this meeting, Leila Lora-Santos (Philippines) informed 
us that they had received another offer of assistance from 
Japan.  From the discussion, it was clear that the 
Philippines would like to see the U.S. and Japan work 
together in participating in this seminar.  Later, Australia 
also expressed a desire to assist in the Philippines.  Del 
with work with Japan and Australia and provide Washington 
some ideas of the role the U.S. could play, if desired, in 
the Philippines. 
 
------------------------ 
UNIVERSALITY POC MEETING 
------------------------ 
 
¶8. (U) The facilitator for Universality, Said Moussi 
(Algeria), held a meeting of the Universality Points of 
Contact on February 9. Most of the meeting consisted of the 
TS providing an update of recent contacts and efforts 
 
SIPDIS 
directed at the 14 remaining non-SP's.  Moussi said that, in 
his view, it was clear that outreach to the remaining 14 
non-SPs would have to become more targeted and less general. 
 
¶9. (U) Liu Zhixian, Director of the External Relations 
Division (ERD), then provided an update. He said that 
contacts with Angola were ongoing and that Portugal and the 
Netherlands have been supporting TS efforts with Angola.  The 
Portuguese expressed some frustrations in their dealings with 
the government of Angola and suggested that it might be 
useful for countries such as China and Algeria to weigh in 
with the Angolans.  Malik Ellahi of ERD noted that the 
Angolans have complained in the past about excessive pressure 
 
being applied on them, so he urged delegations to be 
sensitive to Angolan sensitivities. 
 
¶10.  (U) In Guinea Bissau, it is largely a question of 
mustering the requisite political will to move the process 
forward.  Liu said that the French embassy in Bissau had been 
very helpful and regularly engaged with the government on CWC 
accession. Portugal said that it hopes to send 
representatives to Bissau in a combined trip with 
representatives of the TS and EU.  Liu said little progress 
had been made in Somalia due to the ongoing political strife 
in the country.  According to Liu, the Congo's parliament has 
approved the necessary legislation to accede. The Senate must 
now pass the legislation. 
 
¶11. (U) In the Middle East, Liu said that Iraq was working 
hard on joining and that the TS may hold another workshop for 
the Iraqis in March.  He said the Iraqis had sent the right 
people to the most recent workshop and "really appeared to be 
doing their homework."  In Lebanon, the parliament has 
approved the necessary legislation and all that is needed is 
for the Foreign Minister to deposit the instrument of 
accession.  The only problem is that the Foreign Minister 
resigned and a successor has not been named due to ongoing 
political strife in Lebanon.  Liu said that much more work 
remains to be done concerning Israel, Syria, and Lebanon. 
 
¶12. (U) In the Caribbean, the cabinet has approved the 
necessary legislation in Barbados but the government has not 
moved forward on depositing the instrument of accession until 
it receives further detailed clarification on its obligations 
under the CWC according to Liu.  Discussions with the Bahamas 
are ongoing and the TS may consider another working visit 
there in the future to move the process forward.  He thanked 
the U.S. for its support during a recent visit to Nassau. 
Liu said that the Foreign Ministry in the Dominican Republic 
was very supportive of CWC accession but that other 
ministries still have to be convinced. 
 
¶13. (U) In Asia, there have been no contacts or progress with 
North Korea.  Representatives from Burma attended recent 
workshops in Seoul and Jakarta.  The Foreign Minister told 
the TS that he hopes to ratify the CWC and BWC in the future. 
 Oddly the TS received a call from representatives from the 
Burmese government several months ago and were asked to 
provide the Burmese in one hour the amount that they would 
have to pay were they to join the CWC.  There has been no 
further contact since that rather spontaneous request. 
 
¶14. (U) Overall Liu said that ERD's efforts would be 
primarily focused on bilateral visits to non-SPs in 2007 but 
that ERD would support two Universality related workshops; 
the first would focus on Africa and likely take place in the 
first half of the year in Algiers.  The second workshop would 
focus on the Middle East.  No venue for that workshop has 
been confirmed.  Liu stressed that both of these workshops 
would be paid for with leftover money from the 2006 EU 
contribution and the EU has agreed to this. 
 
------------------------------------------- 
MEETING WITH THE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶15.  (U) Del reps met with Ron Nelson, the Director of 
Administration.  Nelson began the meeting by noting that he 
was disappointed that an American candidate was not chosen 
for the Head of Information Services Branch.  Nelson said the 
DG had little choice though, as the Swiss candidate who was 
chosen and other candidates, were simply much more 
competitive. 
 
¶16.  (U) Nelson expressed some concern about the large number 
of resignations from the organization in January 2007 (11) 
and said that he would monitor the number of resignations to 
see if January was an aberration or symptomatic of a larger 
problem.  He said that the tenure policy did make the OPCW 
less attractive as an organization for many employees and 
also has led to some employees leaving earlier to seek 
employment with other organizations that can offer long-term 
 
employment.  While this situation is by no means a crisis, 
del will monitor it closely over the coming months. 
 
¶17.  (U) On the question of amcit hiring, Nelson provided del 
reps with a document (faxed to ISN/CB on 2/13/07) that 
demonstrates the percentage of Americans employed in P-level 
positions was lower in other international organizations such 
as the ITC, UPU, WMO, IMO, and UNIDO than at the OPCW. 
According to the document, 7.4 percent of all P and D staff 
were Americans as of October 17, 2006.  These figures are 
more favorable than the figures used by IO, but that is also 
a reflection of the fact that IO looks at the overall number 
of Americans employed in an international organization, 
including G staff who are often locally recruited.  Nelson 
also provided del reps with an internal OPCW document that 
lists projected vacancies as of 2/5/07 (faxed to ISN/CB on 
2/13/07). 
 
----------------------------- 
ITALIAN OCW EXTENSION REQUEST 
----------------------------- 
 
¶18.  (U) Del rep met with the Italian delegation to provide 
Washington's feedback on the Italian draft decision for the 
modification of the time limit to destroy its old chemical 
weapons.  Del rep explained Washington's concerns at the 
selective application of various treaty provisions.  The 
Italian delegation in turn explained that in Italy's view, 
the request is based solely upon Part IVB, paragraph 7, of 
the CWC Verification Annex, Qd therefore the provisions on 
reporting (stated or somehow referenced in all preceding 
extension request decisions) do not apply, a view the Italian 
delegation claims has been supported by the OPCW Legal 
Advisor. 
 
¶19.  (U) Del rep pointed out the inconsistency posed by 
including text from Part IVA of the Verification Annex, and 
suggested Italy consider a more minimalist text, limiting the 
operative section to a simple modification of the time limit. 
 Following up on Italian claims that German and Russian 
concerns have driven much of the drafting, del rep also met 
with representatives from the German and Russian delegations. 
 Although Russia tends to take a more strictly legalistic 
view, indicating that they believe all provisions of Part IVA 
are applicable, both delegations agreed that the primary 
concern with the Italian draft decision is the selective and 
somewhat confusing referencing of Parts IVA and IVB of the 
Verification Annex. 
 
¶20.  (U) Finally, del rep discussed the matter with OPCW 
Legal Advisor Santiago Onate, who stated that while he did 
believe there was a legal obligation to submit an extension 
request for OCW destruction, and that the relevant conditions 
of Part IVA should not apply, he had never given the Italians 
a formal legal opinion.  In fact, he had encouraged them to 
submit their request before April 2006 and to be consistent 
in their referencing of the Verification Annex. 
 
¶21.  (U) Javits sends. 
ARNALL