 |
OPCW | Technical Secretariat | ||
| International Cooperation and Assistance Division | ||||
| S/338/2003 | ||||
| 25 February 2003 | ||||
| Original: ENGLISH | ||||
NOTE BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL
CHEMICAL WEAPONS CIVIL DEFENCE TRAINING COURSE
Lázně Bohdaneč, CZECH REPUBLIC
12 – 16 May 2003
1. On behalf of the Government of the Czech Republic and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the Director-General wishes to invite Member States of the OPCW to nominate participants for a training course on CW protection, which will be held at the Institute of Civil Protection in Láznĕ Bohdaneč, Czech Republic, from 12 to 16 May 2003.
2. The course is related to the offer made by the Czech Republic, under Article X of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), to provide assistance and protection against chemical weapons (CW), and will be jointly organised by the Government of the Czech Republic and the Secretariat. The course will provide training in civil CW protection, detection, and decontamination to 20 chief instructors from Member States.
3. The main purpose of the course is to assist other Member States in their efforts to establish a basic CW protective capability that will directly benefit their civilian populations. The course will draw on the extensive experience of the Czech Republic in the field of civilian CW protection, and will provide basic training to specialists and experts who are or will be associated with the training of civilians in their home countries in how to protect themselves from CWs.
4. Applicants from Member States that do not yet have civilian CW protective capabilities will be particularly welcome. Due to the objective of the course and its technical nature, the candidates will be carefully selected. Participants should have a solid technical background, as well as good English‑language skills. They should be physically fit and be able to wear individual protection gear for several hours during some of the practical sessions of the course. Some practical experience of military or civilian CW protection is desirable.
5. Participants will arrive on Sunday 11 May 2003 and depart on Saturday 17 May 2003. Participants are requested to obtain any necessary visas (including transit visas) before travelling to the Czech Republic. The Secretariat expects to be able to cover the travel costs of a limited number of candidates nominated by Member States. When proposing candidates for the course, Member States should specify whether such sponsorship is a condition of their participation. Course materials, as well as accommodation and all meals during the course, will be provided to all participants. Further details regarding accommodation, the course venue, and transport will be issued to participants at a later date.
6. Interested Member States are invited to complete the nomination form that is included as Annex 1 to this Note, giving each nominee’s full name and address, fax and telephone numbers, and e-mail address if available, together with his or her affiliation and area(s) of expertise.
7. The completed nomination form, together with a brief curriculum vitae for each nominee, should be submitted to the Assistance and Protection Branch, International Cooperation and Assistance Division, OPCW at +31 (0)70 416 3209. Nominations should be submitted as soon as possible, but no later than 7 March 2003, to allow sufficient time for the OPCW Secretariat and the Czech authorities to make the necessary arrangements.
8. A tentative schedule for the workshop is contained in annex 2 to this Note. Further details of the arrangements will be issued as soon as the International Cooperation and Assistance Division receives confirmation from the participants that they will be attending the course.
9. Should any problems arise in connection with the attendance of a nominee, or should Member States have any questions regarding this course, they may contact the International Cooperation and Assistance Division of the OPCW:
Tel.: +31 (0)70 416 3555; 416 3217
Fax: +31 (0)70 416 3209
E-mail: EmergAssistBr@opcw.org.
Annexes: (English only)
Annex 1: Nomination form
Annex 2: Tentative Programme