US embassy cable - 04ROME2083

C O N F I D E N T I A L  ROME 002083 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
THE HAGUE FOR CWC DEL; STATE FOR AC/CB ROBERT MIKULAK 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PARM, IT, CWC 
SUBJECT: OPCW AMBASSADOR JAVITS DISCUSSES RANGE OF ISSUES 
WITH ITALIAN OFFICIALS 
 
REF: ROME 1853 
 
Classified By: POLITICAL MILITARY COUNSELOR GARY ROBBINS 
               FOR REASONS 1.5(B)(D) 
 
1. (C) Summary. OPCW Ambassador Eric Javits discussed Italy's 
concerns over the timing of converting Libya's Rabta Chemical 
Weapons production facility, the Working Capital Fund, the 
OPCW budget format and universality with Italian officials in 
Rome on May 10.  End Summary. 
 
RABTA 
----- 
 
2. (C)  Ambassador Antonio Catalano, MFA Coordinator for 
International Security Policy, questioned the timing for the 
conversion of Libya's Rabta CW facility under Chemical 
Weapons Convention (CWC) provisions.  Amb. Javits explained 
that the earliest conversion could occur is following action 
by the Conference of States Parties (CSP) at its next session 
on November 29-December 3.  The US favors a two-step approach 
to Rabta conversion that would eliminate Libya's CW 
production capability in a timely manner, he said.  The first 
step is for the Executive Council to consider a plan for 
destruction and verification at the June 29-July 2 meeting. 
EC-38 (12-15 October) could then recommend that the CSP adopt 
the conversion formalities agreed to by Libya and the 
Technical Secretariat (TS) along with a technical fix to 
paragraph 72 at its early December session.  Amb. Javits 
explained that the CSP would be reluctant to approve a 
blanket approval so broad that it would cede away its power 
to scrutinize individual cases in the future, and is more 
likely to approve the revision to paragraph 72 if the change 
is Libya specific.  With good coordination between the TS and 
WEOG, and with Libya, the proposed change is very likely to 
be approved, he predicted, in part because it bolsters the 
universality concept. 
 
3. (C) Amb. Catalano questioned whether a six-month time 
frame is realistic for conversion.  Amb. Javits clarified 
that the US wants to achieve OPCW approval of the Libyan 
request for conversion of Rabta as soon as possible, but 
expects the plant will be under inspection for several years. 
 
 
WORKING CAPITAL FUND 
-------------------- 
 
4. (C) Amb. Javits raised Italy's resistance to increasing 
the OPCW Working Capital Fund to a 9.9 million Euro level. 
He stressed the important role the fund plays in allowing the 
OPCW to meet financial goals.  General Tracci, an MOD CW 
expert seconded to the MFA, said that Italy wants the funds 
to be available to pay reimbursement costs and cover 
emergencies.  Italy has been against the proposal for eight 
years, Tracci said, because of the political consequences of 
such an increase.  Amb. Javits countered that the fund should 
be used to prevent emergencies as well as respond to them. 
The issue is a financial one, he stressed, tied to the fact 
that certain countries won't pay their dues this year, or 
will have questions about vouchers that delay payment, or 
have different fiscal years.  There is no surety about when 
funds will come in or how much.  Meanwhile, inspections and 
verifications continue and scientists must be paid, he noted. 
It would be irresponsible to stop industrial inspections 
because the organization is short of funds.  The US is trying 
to ensure that the OPCW develops in a fiscally responsible 
manner by proposing the increase in the Working Capital Fund, 
he explained.  No separate assessments or contributions are 
required.  Amb. Javits urged the Italians to support raising 
the level to 9.9 as a protection against the possibility of 
having to cut programs. 
 
BUDGET FORMAT 
------------- 
 
5. (C)  Amb. Javits noted that some States Parties remain 
skeptical of the new RBB format for the OPCW budget.  The 
2005 budget was distributed only in the RBB format to begin 
to familiarize members with the new approach.  A conventional 
version will be distributed in June.  The US supports the RBB 
format and would like to see it adopted this year or for next 
year's budget, he said.  Tracci agreed, but said the 
conventional system should remain available while members 
adjusted to the new format. 
 
HOST COUNTRY AGREEMENT 
---------------------- 
 
 
6. (C) Amb. Javits asked Giovanni Iannuzzi, head of Italy's 
National CWC Authority, for an update on the HCA.  Iannuzzi 
said full clearance is very close (see reftel) and they have 
requested full signatory authority on behalf of Italy.  He 
asked whether the Ambassador to Italy will sign for the US. 
Once executed, the HCA will go to parliament for 
ratification, he explained. 
 
UNIVERSALITY 
------------ 
 
7. (C)  The US expects significant efforts on universality 
from the TS, Amb. Javits told the Italians.  Preparations for 
Malta were disappointing, despite discussions last November. 
It takes six months for States Parties to do the political 
campaigning needed to gain support.  The recent UN mandate 
(1540) is a boost, but OPCW needs an action plan for meeting 
targets so countries will participate and do the necessary, 
he said.  Catalano suggested pressing for reporting to the 
Security Council, rather than just compliance with OPCW. 
Italy plans to work through the EU Nonproliferation Strategy 
as well as bilaterally, he added. 
 
8. (C) Iannuzzi said that Italy is working to establish a 
clear rule on the OPCW tenure policy and welcomed the 
decision to require non-career employment in the 
organization.  Financial constraints have prevented the 
Secretary from fully implementing the new policy but progress 
 
SIPDIS 
is being made, he noted.  Beyond the financial constraints, 
he stressed that it is important to keep to the seven year 
rule.  Once it is clear the new rule can't be circumvented, 
it will be easier to implement it, he said. Italy hopes for 
more representation on the TS staff, commensurate with its 
role as the sixth largest contributor to the OPCW budget, he 
said.  Amb. Javits responded that the US focus is on 
competency; OPCW should hire the most qualified candidates, 
and urged Italy to seek to find and offer the most qualified 
candidates it could. 
 
9. (U) Ambassador Javits has cleared this cable. 
 
Visit Rome's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/rome/index.cf m 
 
SEMBLER 
 
 
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 2004ROME02083 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL