US embassy cable - 04THEHAGUE769

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000769 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM AMBASSADOR JAVITS FOR AC/CB AND IO/S 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PARM, PREL, CWC 
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): SUPPORTING THE 
VOLUNTARY NON-RENEWAL OPTION 
 
REF: STATE 63125 
 
1.  (U)  This is CWC-40-04. 
 
2.  (U)  The guidance cable from the Department for the 
current OPCW Executive Council session instructs me to 
support the efforts by the Technical Secretariat to implement 
measures to assist staff members affected by the tenure 
policy.  As Washington wisely notes, the proposal to have the 
Human Resources Branch provide assistance to those staff 
selected for separation from the OPCW in finding other 
employment is "good management practice."  However, the 
Department then instructs me to oppose the proposal for a 
voluntary non-renewal option. 
 
3.  (U)  I am sure that opposition to such a valuable 
initiative is due to a misunderstanding of what is being 
proposed.  First and foremost, employees who adopt the 
voluntary, non-renewal option will need to sign a waiver 
indicating they will not bring a case in the ILO on their 
separation from the OPCW.  For that reason alone, I would 
assert that the U.S. should support this initiative. 
 
4.  (U)  In addition, the proposal allows the organization to 
minimize the amount of dislocation and anxiety among the 
entire OPCW staff.  Every staff member who elects voluntary 
non-renewal is one less person who will need to be 
involuntarily separated from the OPCW in order to meet the 
tough standard which has been set by the U.S. and others for 
tenure implementation.  It is also important to correct the 
misconception that the proposal provides staff with three 
months salary "for not working."  While some staff may take 
the opportunity to go home to seek follow-on employment, 
other measures being implemented by the HR office allow those 
who take voluntary non-renewal to conduct a job hunt at the 
OPCW.  Beyond that, the proposal has been well-crafted to 
give preeminence to the needs of the organization.  While 
employees may apply for voluntary non-renewal, if the 
Director General believes the OPCW is in need of a particular 
staff member, voluntary non-renewal is not offered to that 
individual. 
 
5.  (U)  In its guidance cable, Washington notes that 
"renewals should be offered when it is in the best interest 
of the organization to do so."  I would assert that this is 
exactly what the OPCW is doing with the voluntary non-renewal 
initiative.  It helps prevent, keep to a minimum or moderate 
the likely outcome of legal action by staff.  It reduces the 
amount of involuntary separation from the OPCW.  It will 
substantially improve staff morale.  And it does so with a 
minimal amount of "lost work."  I am sure that in view of 
these factors, Washington will instruct me to support the 
voluntary non-renewal initiative. 
 
6.  (U)  Javits sends. 
SOBEL