Statement to the Tenth Conference of the States Parties to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
(OPCW)
Ambassador Eric M. Javits, Head of the U.S. Delegation
The Hague, The Netherlands
November 7, 2005
Mr. Chairman, Mr. Director-General, Distinguished Delegates,
Let me take this opportunity, Mr. Chairman, to express my delight that we will have your leadership at this Conference,
and to pledge my support and that of my delegation for your efforts to ensure the success of this Conference of the
States Parties. I extend a warm welcome to the representatives of those States Parties that have joined us over the past
year, and to all my fellow delegates.
At first glance, our agenda may appear routine. Certainly, the headings for the various agenda items are all things we
have seen before. And some of what we will do this week is indeed routine, though by no means unimportant. But this
Conference will also address some issues that lie at the heart of the continued viability of the Chemical Weapons
Convention (CWC). Let me touch briefly on some of the ways in which we will seek to move the Chemical Weapons Convention
forward this week:
First, there is the program of work and budget for 2006: the Executive Council has recommended a 2006 budget that is
below the level of the current budget, yet fully meets the Organization's requirements. It is a budget that makes
realistic assessments about a challenging workload, including increases in both chemical weapons destruction monitoring
and inspections of industrial facilities. It is a budget that offers further improvements in transparency. It is a
budget that deserves our support.
We can also move forward on universal renunciation of chemical weapons: This has, once again, been a good year for the
Chemical Weapons Convention. Our ranks have grown to 175 member states. But there are still countries that have not
joined us in renouncing chemical weapons, including some that have chemical weapons programs. Progress in the Middle
East remains notably slow, and should be a priority for all of us. Our efforts toward universality must continue
unabated. This is a task that the Director-General and individual member states can pursue, regardless of any action or
inaction at this Conference--but I hope that we will be able to adopt a substantive decision that will underline our
commitment and provide further impetus to this effort.
However, Mr. Chairman, as my delegation has said before, to achieve the aim of a world free of chemical weapons, we
must strive not just for a Convention that is universal, but for a Convention that is universally implemented. This
Conference marks the expiration of the two-year Plan of Action on national implementation adopted by the Eighth
Conference, which aimed to bring about universal, effective implementation of the obligations we have all accepted under
Article VII of the Convention. This week we must act to adopt further measures to ensure effective national
implementation of the Convention. My friend, Assistant Secretary of Commerce Peter Lichtenbaum, will address this body
tomorrow to discuss this issue in more detail, but let me emphasize a few key points:
Implicit in the Action Plan that we adopted was the creation of a two-year grace period. We all agreed to help each
other achieve effective national implementation, rather than taking a more forceful approach to what was--let me be
blunt for a moment--widespread noncompliance with fundamental treaty obligations. We opened a window of opportunity, and
we tried to help each other through it. The United States has played a leading role in this regard.
However, the Action Plan was not fully successful. Many States Parties have made progress, but not yet achieved full
implementation. A handful have not yet taken the first steps. Our window closes this week, and too many are still on the
wrong side of it. So what now? We cannot simply extend the action plan: that may work for those who have worked hard and
made progress, but it clearly won't have an effect on States Parties who are not new to this Convention, and still have
not even designated a National Authority. If you sleep through your wake-up alarm, ladies and gentlemen, you need a
louder alarm clock, and I submit that this is exactly what some states need now. We need to wake up the member states
that are still sleeping. Letting the Action Plan lapse without agreeing on follow-on measures, on the other hand, would
not just end our coordinated efforts at assistance, but would have other consequences. States Parties, individually and
collectively, would have to consider alternative courses for ensuring compliance.
We need a balanced approach that will move this Organization toward universal, effective implementation. Specifically,
we need an agreement on follow-on measures that is time-limited; that includes measures to secure the attention of those
States Parties that have thus far declined to take even the simplest steps; that provides an additional grace period,
along with OPCW oversight, for those working conscientiously to fulfill their obligations; and that makes fair provision
for States Parties that have joined the CWC since the adoption of the Action Plan.
Effective national implementation of the obligations of the Convention plays an indispensable role in our common
security. It matters. And it matters, in part, because the CWC itself, and the action plan we adopted, are multilateral
approaches to serious problems. If multilateralism is to thrive as a means of addressing such issues, it must
demonstrate that it can be effective. And, it seems to me, that means demonstrating not only that we are prepared to
help each other meet our obligations, but also that we are prepared to take appropriate steps when some of our members
fail to even attempt to do so.
This is an important test of our collective political commitment to both the Convention and multilateralism. If we
truly value the goals of the Convention, we cannot stand idly by and watch member states ignore their commitments. And
most important of all, to ensure the security of our own populations, we cannot--we must not--allow the existence of
holes in our collective security net.
Earlier today, the Director-General proposed another way of moving this Organization forward--by looking back.
Establishing a day to commemorate the victims of CW attacks--not some victims, in some places, but ALL of the casualties
of these horrific weapons--will remind the world of why we are here. And, perhaps more importantly, it will remind us of
the larger issues at stake, when we are prone to becoming absorbed in minutia and details.
I ardently wish this Conference was in a position to move the Convention forward by adopting a long-overdue decision on
how to select OCPF sites for inspections. I urge delegations to redouble their efforts to reach an agreement that
achieves the critical security and confidence-building objectives of this inspection regime. The Convention provides for
both the Technical Secretariat and States Parties to influence the selection process; it seems to us important that the
Conference adopt ground rules embodying these Treaty principles, rather than forcing States Parties and the Technical
Secretariat to move forward without clear guidance or a transparent process.
Regarding other industry issues, I am pleased that we expect to adopt a decision on Schedule 1 captive use, but alarmed
at the continued failure of member states to reach agreement on an array of long-running issues. Most of these are minor
questions that, as a practical matter, have relatively little impact on the overall verification regime. Yet they
continue to clog the industry cluster calendar and prohibit the intersessional group from focusing on other important or
new issues. I will name a few:
* The Organization needs to be sure that States Parties are submitting declarations in a timely and complete fashion.
There are still a number of States Parties that are not meeting their annual responsibilities. Although we have
discussed this issue, little has been done to rectify the situation. * It is critical that the inspectorate has all the
tools and resources necessary to conduct effective and efficient verification. As new inspectors arrive at the OPCW, we
need to ensure that they receive the same rigorous training that was provided at entry-into-force.
I urge States Parties to rededicate themselves to taking a broader view, and resolving their minor disagreements--or,
if this is impossible, setting them aside--so that the industry cluster can focus on issues that have a wider effect on
the nonproliferation activities of the Convention.
I also want to reiterate my government's support for the full and effective implementation of Article XI. States
Parties have been working on a draft decision on Article XI implementation. I am hopeful that we will be able to reach
agreement on a decision that is consistent with the obligations of States Parties under Article XI, that maintains the
correct balance between the responsibilities of States Parties and the facilitating role that the Technical Secretariat
can play once cooperative arrangements are in place, and will enable us to resolve this longstanding issue
Finally, distinguished colleagues, let me note one more way in which this Conference can help the CWC grow and move
forward: we are called upon to select the next Director-General of the OPCW. I take consummate pleasure in the
recommendation of the Executive Council that we renew the appointment of Rogelio Pfirter as Director-General. This
decision will mark the high regard in which we hold the man, as well as recognition of his outstanding performance in an
exceptionally challenging job.
Mr. Director-General, over the years you have had to make difficult decisions, particularly, I would note, with regard
to implementation of the tenure policy. More recently, you have overseen the introduction of results-based budgeting. I
am sure that when you indicated a willingness to serve another term, you did so knowing full well that only more
difficult decisions, ranging from administration to policy, await you in the next four years. Let me assure you that the
United States stands ready to work with you and assist you and the Organization in tackling these challenges.
No man is an island, and no success is earned by one man alone. On behalf of the United States, I want to recognize all
the men and women of the Technical Secretariat for your hard work and many accomplishments. We value and appreciate your
dedication and skill. You have our respect and our profound gratitude.
Mr. Chairman, Mr. Director-General, Distinguished Representatives, it has been an honor to address you today. We can
all look back on a year of solid accomplishments, particularly on national implementation. We must now address the
challenges that face us in the coming year, particularly on Article VII, but also on many other issues. The United
States delegation, and I personally, pledge to work with all of you during the course of this Conference, and over the
next year, as we address the complex and important issues on our agenda and strive to reach the common goal of a world
without chemical weapons.
Thank you.
ENDS