VZCZCXRO2211
OO RUEHTRO
DE RUEHTC #0482/01 1571550
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 051550Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1571
INFO RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 1775
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY 2312
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI PRIORITY
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
RHMFIUU/DTRA ALEX WASHINGTON DC//OSAC PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 000482
SENSITIVE
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 (ROBERTS)
NSC FOR FLY
WINPAC FOR WALTER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: LY PARM PREL CWC
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): CONVERSION OF
THE RABTA CHEMICAL WEAPONS PRODUCTION FACILITY
REF: STATE 058476
This is CWC-28-08.
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SUMMARY
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1. (SBU) On June 3 and 4, U.S. Delreps met with
representatives of the UK and Italy, and separately with
Libya, to share the non-paper from Reftel and discuss Libyan
steps necessary for the U.S. to approve the request to retain
the sandbag wall around the former chemical weapons
production facility at Rabta. Delreps received little new
information, but the Libyan representative said he would
transmit the non-paper promptly to Tripoli and report on any
follow-up.
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MEETING WITH UK AND ITALY
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2. (SBU) On June 3, Delreps met with members of the UK and
Italian delegations to share the U.S. proposed approach and
non-paper. The UK and Italian reps were grateful for the
non-paper and seemed to agree with the approach outlined.
All agreed that it would be important to continue close
communication regarding positions on Libyan delays and
transparency. Of note, the Italian rep mentioned that Libyan
expert Dr. Hesnawy had admitted in a recent conversation that
Libya was in fact two months behind schedule on its
destruction program. While not significant in terms of time,
this admission is a departure from Hesnawy,s usual
conviction that nothing could possibly take the destruction
project off track.
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MEETING WITH LIBYA
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3. (SBU) On June 4, Delreps met with Mr. Mohadeb Gheton, the
sole Libyan representative remaining in The Hague following
their Embassy,s closure. Delreps conveyed the points in
paragraph 7 of Reftel, and provided a copy of the non-paper.
Delreps noted that the U.S. was also requesting an audience
in Tripoli, and hoped this would occur without delay. Gheton
committed to transmit the non-paper immediately, and to
contact the U.S. Del with any reaction from Tripoli.
4. (SBU) On the topic of transparency, Gheton offered his
view that the delays were probably not tied to any specific
problems, but more likely a result of the process simply
taking longer than expected, both bureaucratically and
operationally. He underscored Libya,s commitment to its CWC
obligations. Delreps noted the scrutiny CWC deadlines tend
to receive in the Executive Council (EC), and that providing
a clear explanation for delays and future work in the form of
a national paper could be very helpful for Libya in the event
of queries from other States Parties. Gheton was obviously
unclear as to what precisely was required in terms of a
national paper; Delrep clarified that it would be important
to have an official document, as outlined in the non-paper,
that would have a standing that the informal presentations
would not.
5. (SBU) On the scheduling of a visit to Rabta, Gheton stated
frankly that he understood the last visit to have been
canceled because of U.S./UK attempts to broaden the agenda.
He also shared his understanding that Tripoli is still
working toward a visit before the June EC, and that there may
now be a series of bilateral visits offered to the U.S., UK
and Italy. Finally, he expressed his appreciation for U.S.
assistance and guidance, and committed to share any feedback
he receives from Tripoli.
6. (U) Javits sends.
Foster