Cablegate: Rgc Response On Cambodia's Cwc Status

VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHPF #2142 3390940
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 050940Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7683
INFO RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE PRIORITY 0283
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 1560

UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 002142

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS, ISN/CB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM CWC KTIA PREL CB
SUBJECT: RGC RESPONSE ON CAMBODIA'S CWC STATUS

REF: STATE 193643

1. (SBU) On December 5, post received a preliminary
response to the demarche to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
regarding Cambodia's CWC status. The MFA said that in 2006,
the RGC established through Royal Decree a National Authority
to deal with chemical, biological, and other weapons of mass
destruction. A specific role for the National Authority
reportedly is the implementation of the Chemical Weapons
Convention. The Ministry of Defense chairs the Authority,
and other relevant Ministries (e.g., MFA, Industry) are
included as Vice Chairs. The National Authority has yet to
establish a Secretariat, as this will reportedly require
financial resources that are not yet available.

2. (SBU) The MFA recommended that post contact the Ministry
of Defense for further information, and suggested General
Chey Son, Director of the Department of Chemical Protection
as a starting point. We will try to meet with him and get a
better understanding of the country's plans regarding the CWC.
MUSSOMELI

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