Cablegate: Chemical Weapons Convention (Cwc) - Seeking

VZCZCXYZ0007
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSW #2046 3071623
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 031623Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY BERN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3378
INFO RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE PRIORITY 4058
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 2622

UNCLAS BERN 002046

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE FOR USDEL OPCW

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL SZ
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC) - SEEKING
SUPPORT FOR U.S. REQUEST TO EXTEND 100 PERCENT DESTRUCTION
DEADLINE

REF: SECSTATE 179253

1.(SBU) Switzerland will not intervene on the USG extension
request at the CWC Executive Council meeting. In response to
reftel talking points, Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs
Disarmament Chief Andreas Friedrich told Poloff that
Switzerland appreciates the USG paper and is aware of the
hurdles in our efforts to meet the 100 percent destruction
deadline. At the same time, Switzerland encourages the USG
to step up its efforts, observing that Russia seemed to be
making better progress. Asked by Poloff whether
Switzerland's view remains, as it was last April, one of
"grudging acceptance" of the USG position, Friedrich laughed
in general agreement. His view, he added, was that "meeting
the deadline would still be possible; it is just a question
of resources." Nevertheless, instructions for the Swiss
delegation will be not to weigh in on the issue.
OTTO

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