VZCZCXRO3748
OO RUEHTRO
DE RUEHC #5619/01 3132018
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 092013Z NOV 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE IMMEDIATE 6898
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE 0788
INFO RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 7670

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 115619 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
THE HAGUE FOR CWC DEL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PARM PREL CWC OPCW
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): FOLLOW UP ON 
LIBYAN  TRANSPARENCY MEASURES FOR THE ANNUAL CWC 
CONFERENCE IN DECEMBER 2009 
 
REF: A. 2009 STATE 100809 (RESPONSE TO LIBYA PAPERS ON 
        TWO CWC ISSUES) 
     ¶B. EC-58/NAT.5 AND ADD.1 (LIBYA,S REQUEST FOR 
        EXTENSION OF CW DESTRUCTION DEADLINES 
        DATED AUGUST 24 2009 AND OCTOBER 14 2009 
        RESPECTIVELY) 
 
¶1. (U) This is an action request for the U.S. Delegation in 
The Hague and for Embassy Tripoli; see paragraphs 4 and 5. 
 
---------- 
Background 
---------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) A demarche sent in September 2009 (Ref A) defined 
transparency measures for Libya,s future communications on 
Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) issues that were required 
for the United States to join in the October 13-16, 2009 
Executive Council session (EC-58) approval of a 
recommendation to the Conference of the States Parties (CSP) 
for a further extension of Libya,s chemical weapons (CW) 
destruction deadlines. These transparency measures apply to 
both EC-58 and future communications to the Executive Council 
and the November 30 ) December 4, 2009 CSP (CSP-14). During 
EC-58 Libya provided the necessary transparency on its plans 
for CW destruction, and as a result, the Libyan request for 
extension of destruction deadlines was recommended for 
approval. It is important to note that in addition to the now 
routine calls by the United States and United Kingdom (UK) on 
the EC margins for improved Libyan transparency, Sweden, 
speaking on behalf of the European Union, called for &clear 
and unambiguous information8 about plans, intentions, and 
projections on which the extension request is based. This 
action resulted in the Libyan delegation submitting 
additional information on their plans for CW destruction. 
 
¶3. (SBU) This demarche provides additional follow-up points 
that are needed for Libya,s preparation for and 
participation in CSP-14. The overall objective of this follow 
up action is twofold: (1) to impress upon the Libyan 
representatives the importance of Libya meeting States 
Parties, expectations for continued and ongoing 
communications regarding Libya,s progress on the Rabta 
conversion and the construction of the Rabta Toxic Chemical 
Destruction Facility, and (2) to schedule a preparatory 
working session with the Libyan delegation the week prior to 
the CSP-14 in The Hague. 
 
--------------- 
Action Requests 
--------------- 
 
¶4.  (U) The Department requests the U.S. Delegation to the 
Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), 
and Embassy Tripoli, respectively, to deliver the discussion 
points in paragraph 6 to the appropriate Libyan 
representatives in The Hague and in Tripoli, informing both 
that the points are being delivered concurrently, and to 
report the response by Monday November 16, 2009. Both the 
U.S. Delegation to the OPCW and Embassy Tripoli should inform 
their UK counterparts of the nature of the discussion, the 
recommendation for a preparatory working session in The Hague 
during the week preceding CSP-14, and the intention to 
solicit the UK CWC delegation participation in the working 
session.  Please slug responses to ISN/CB, VCI/CCA, 
WINPAC/MRIT and NEA/MAG. 
 
 
¶5. (U) The CWC delegation should contact the Libyan CWC 
delegation as soon as practical, address the points in 
paragraph 6, and state our intention to solicit UK CWC 
delegation participation in the working session.  Embassy 
Tripoli should engage Mr. Mohammed Rageb El Ghadi, Head of 
the Libyan Committee for the CWC, on these points. (NOTE: 
Mr. El Ghadi attended the last Conference and we are 
expecting his attendance this year. END NOTE). If Mr. El 
Ghadi is not available to meet by November 13, 2009, Embassy 
Tripoli should expand the request to include a meeting with 
Dr. Ahmed Hesnawy. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Discussion Points 
 
- The United States commends Libya on the success of our 
 
STATE 00115619  002 OF 002 
 
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): FOLLOW UP ON 
LIBYAN  TRANSPARENCY MEASURES FOR THE ANNUAL CWC 
CONFERENCE IN DECEMBER 20 
bilateral meetings during the October 13-16, 2009 Executive 
Council session where we discussed U.S., UK, and Council,s 
expectations for Libya,s continued transparency in 
communications with States Parties, including specific 
information on progress made in preparation for CW 
destruction and the Rabta conversion. 
 
- The information provided to the Executive Council by Libya 
in October was very useful. The United States urges Libya to 
provide continued and full transparency on these issues 
during the upcoming annual Conference of the States Parties, 
November 30 ) December 4, 2009, in The Hague. 
 
- The need for clear and unambiguous information on the 
status of Libya,s preparation for CW destruction was 
emphasized by the European Union in its statement during the 
October 13-16, 2009 Executive Council session. 
 
- Libya should continue to communicate with both the United 
States and the UK during its preparation for a statement from 
the floor of the Conference that expands on the information 
provided in October and provides any updated information on 
progress on CW destruction and conversion efforts. 
 
- Libyan participation from Tripoli during the Conference is 
important, particularly including the participation of the 
Head of the National Authority. 
 
- The United States suggests a bilateral working session to 
help facilitate Libya,s communication during the Conference. 
U.S. and Libyan representatives should meet during the week 
prior to the Conference, either during the Other Chemical 
Production Facilities workshop (November 25-26, 2009) or the 
Annual National Authorities, meeting November 27-29, 2009). 
 
- Libya should be prepared to discuss changes in its plan for 
CW destruction, such as destroying leaking containers of 
chemicals at the Ruwagha storage site, and the changes that 
will be required in the Facility Agreement and Verification 
Plan. 
 
- If useful, remind the Libyan representatives of the general 
guidelines provided in September for communicating the status 
the Rabta conversion and preparations for CW destruction: 
---a clear update on what has been accomplished relative to 
the schedules and benchmarks provided to the Council; 
---specific information on any changes or unanticipated 
additional delays to planned activities and their impact, if 
any, on meeting the conversion and destruction deadlines; 
---a summary of progress in the physical conversion of Rabta; 
and 
---a summary of progress on construction of the Rabta Toxic 
Chemicals Destruction Facility,s supporting infrastructure, 
and the status of destruction equipment fabrication and 
installation. 
 
- In addition, and to continue meeting the concerns raised by 
the European Union at the October 13-16, 2009 Executive 
Council session, Libya should also include an update on 
contracts signed and dates for equipment delivery for the 
Rabta Toxic Chemicals Destruction Facility. 
 
¶7.  (U) The Department thanks the U.S. Delegation to the OPCW 
and Embassy Tripoli for their assistance. Tripoli impact 
minimization was considered in this request. The 
point-of-contact for this action is Tom Ferguson, ISN/CB, 
(202-647-9650, fergusontl@state.sgov.gov). 
CLINTON