Pages 14-15 from FCO 8-6807
Description
The document is a summary of a meeting regarding chemical weapons export controls. The main points mentioned are:
-
The meeting discussed the coordination of chemical export controls among industrial countries. Some leaks in civil chemical exports have been addressed, but others identified will be difficult to stop. Further national actions were agreed upon.
-
The meeting took place in Paris under Australian chairmanship, with Switzerland attending for the first time. An information and intelligence exchange highlighted the impact of export controls on costs and program slowdowns but acknowledged that it had not prevented the increasing capability of Iraq or extensive procurement activities by Iran.
-
Japan expressed concerns about expanding the warning list, arguing that their existing list already amounted to an export prohibition to Iran/Iraq. Other countries were willing to share details of additional chemicals identified with their industries to varying degrees. 18 countries had imposed or were in the process of imposing export controls on a common list of 8 chemicals. Adding thionylchloride to the list had growing support but no agreement was reached.
-
Industrial reactions to the chemical warning list and a possible equipment warning list were reported to be favorable. Larger manufacturing concerns were willing to cooperate, and there was agreement to build on existing cooperation. The US and UK would produce a revised version of the equipment warning list. The main problem highlighted was the lack of information exchange, and a framework for future exchanges was agreed upon.
-
A US intervention to give political existence to the group was politely but firmly rejected.
-
The next meeting was scheduled for the following spring, with Australia making arrangements through the usual channels.
Overall, the meeting focused on addressing leaks in chemical exports, expanding the warning list, promoting cooperation among industrial countries, and improving information exchange.