The Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) Database
ANNEX to REPORT FROM GENEVA -- FRIDAY 15 JULY 2000
A series of accasional reports on developments in the Geneva Negotiations
PRINCIPAL CATEGORY III "Strong conceptual differences in views" ISSUES
The analysis in Evaluation Paper No. 18 of the principal Category III issues in the Preamble and the 23 Articles of the Protocol text for which there are "Strong conceptual differences in views" showed that, although these are interrelated and all are important issues, they can with advantage be further divided into three groups:
A. Key Issues
1. Red light/green light initiation procedure for investigations
2. Randomly-selected visits to all declared facilities
3. Thresholds
4. Modification, particularly to Article I, of the BTWC ( Protocol Art I General Provisions, Art II Definitions, Art XI Relationship of the Protocol to the BTWC)
5. Transfer guidelines (Art III of the BTWC, non-impedance of economic and technological development issues)
6. Cooperation Committee role
7. Biodefence in Art VII of the Protocol
8. Clarification procedures regarding facilities that appear to meet the requirements for declaration and have not been declared
B. Other Issues
1. Declaration Triggers (BL-3, Work with Listed Agents, Other Production Facilities, Other Facilities, Outbreaks)
2. Date for initial declarations (1925/1946/1975)
3. "Testing and evaluation, production" information in declarations
4. Documentation availability during visits/investigations
5. Sampling during visits/investigations
6. Access and Executive Council procedures for visits/investigations
7. Waiver of immunity for Director-General and Organization for the Prohibition of Biological Weapons (OPBW).
C. Further Issues
1. Preambular language
2. Redress situation -- report to UN General Assembly/Security Council
3. Request for assistance being conditional on a simultaneous request for a field investigation.
4. Seat of the Organization
5. Executive Council representation from Asia/East Asia and the Pacific/West and South Asia
6. Dispute procedure
7. Frequency of Review Conferences (5/10 years)
8. Amendments to Annexes/Appendices
9. Entry into Force
10. Reservations
In Evaluation Paper No. 18,The BTWC Protocol: Revised Proposed Complete Text for an Integrated Regime, July 2000 each of the above Category III issues is addressed and how they have been resolved in developing the Bradford revised proposed complete text for the Protocol.