Cablegate: Cwc Extension Demarche Delivered

VZCZCXRO6854
RR RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS RUEHTM
DE RUEHME #6248 3060003
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 020003Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO
TO RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 0196
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4020
INFO RUEHXC/ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS MEXICO 006248

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR ISN/CB; THE HAGUE FOR CWC DEL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL CBW CWC OPCW
SUBJECT: CWC EXTENSION DEMARCHE DELIVERED

REF: STATE 179253

(SBU) Poloff delivered ref demarche to Secretariat of Foreign
Relations (SRE) Deputy Director General for UN-Related
Security and Legal Issues Julian Juarez Cardenas. Juarez
said the GOM is concerned about requests from countries
seeking extensions of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)
deadline for completing the destruction of all chemical
weapons stocks. While recognizing the expense and technical
challenges involved, he commented that the GOM finds it
difficult to understand why a destruction deadline that
remains five years away cannot be met. He underscored the
importance of disarmament and destruction of chemical weapons
stockpiles to broader nonproliferation efforts. Juarez
noted that the U.S. and other requests for extensions would
be reviewed at the next meeting of the OPCW Executive
Council, adding that rather than granting indefinite
extensions, the GOM and others would like to see those
nations requesting extensions offer specific timetables they
will stick to. He reiterated that Mexico's position toward a
U.S. request would be the same as toward others seeking
extensions.

Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity
GARZA

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