OPCW Technical Secretariat
International Cooperation and Assistance Division
S/349/2003
4 April 2003
ENGLISH only

An Invitation to Propose Candidates for a Basic Course for Personnel Involved in the National Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention

The Hague, the Netherlands

2 – 6 June 2003

1.         The Technical Secretariat (hereinafter “the Secretariat”) is pleased to announce that a seven-day basic course for personnel involved in the national implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention will be held at the OPCW headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands, from 2 to 6 June 2003.  The course is primarily intended for personnel of National Authorities who have little or no previous involvement in the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).  Its objective is to increase the ability of States Parties to the Convention to comply with the obligations they have assumed.  Individuals nominated to the course are therefore expected to be actually responsible for the specific tasks of implementing the CWC at the national level. It should be noted that the course will not be able to cover the more-specialised needs of States Parties that have declared themselves possessors of chemical weapons (CWs).  The course curriculum is presented in Annex 1 to this invitation.

2.         All course activities will be conducted in English, and no interpretation services of any kind will be provided.  Participants are therefore expected to have a good command of the English language, both written and oral.

3.         States Parties whose nationals have not previously participated in a basic course organised by the Secretariat are particularly encouraged to nominate candidates.  One candidate from each such State Party will be given priority.  Other States are also encouraged to nominate candidates.  However, the number of places available for such candidates may be limited.

4.         The Secretariat expects to be able to sponsor the participation of a limited number of participants.  Each nomination should specify whether sponsorship is a condition of the nominee’s participation.  Nominees who have previously participated in a basic course for the personnel of National Authorities cannot be considered for sponsorship. For sponsored participants, the Secretariat will cover the costs of the course fee, travel, meals, and medical insurance, and will provide a limited subsistence allowance to cover sundry expenses.  In cases where the Secretariat arranges accommodation for sponsored participants, it will also cover the costs of that accommodation.  Sponsored participants who do not intend to use the accommodation provided by the Secretariat are requested to indicate that to the Secretariat as soon as possible, so that it does not incur hotel cancellation fees.  The daily subsistence allowance will remain unchanged for those participants who opt to make their own accommodation arrangements.  When making travel arrangements for sponsored participants, the Secretariat will seek the most economical options.  The Secretariat will purchase tickets and send them to participants.  Participants will be allowed to purchase tickets locally only if this leads to further savings for the Secretariat and if the Secretariat authorises it.  In order for the Secretariat to keep costs to a minimum, sponsored participants are expected to arrive no earlier than Saturday, 31 May 2003, and to depart no later than Saturday,
7 June 2003.  The Secretariat’s agreement is required for any changes to the arrival and departure dates of sponsored participants. The Secretariat will not cover expenses unrelated to the course or that result from changes in travel arrangements it has not authorised.  Sponsored participants shall bear all costs resulting from changes they make, including cancellations, once the Secretariat has purchased tickets.  Participants who have not been not sponsored are requested to make their own travel and accommodation arrangements, although the Secretariat can, if necessary, arrange accommodation at reduced rates.

5.                  Participants are requested to obtain any necessary visas (including transit visas) before travelling to the Netherlands.

6.                  States Parties to the Convention and other States are invited to complete the nomination form that is included as Annex 2 to this Note, making sure in particular to provide all the contact details it requests so that the Secretariat can get in touch directly with nominees.  Completed forms should be addressed to the Director, International Cooperation and Assistance Division, OPCW, Johan de Wittlaan 32, 2517 JR The Hague, the Netherlands.  Nominations may also be submitted by fax to +31 (0)70 306 3535, or by e‑mail to ipb@opcw.org.  All nominations must be received by the Secretariat no later than 9 May 2003.  Please be advised that participants must present an OPCW acceptance letter in order to register for the course.

7.                  Additional information about the course may be obtained from the Implementation Support Branch, International Cooperation and Assistance Division, which can be contacted as specified in paragraph 6 above.

Annexes:

Annex 1:  Course Curriculum

Annex 2:  Nomination Form

Annex 1

Basic course for personnel involved in the national implementation of the

 Chemical Weapons Convention

The Hague, the Netherlands

2 – 6 JUNE 2003

COURSE CURRICULUM

1.            GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1     THE HISTORY OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND CHEMICAL DISARMAMENT

The history of CWs and chemical disarmament

1.2         THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION AND THE OPCW

The provisions of the CWC

Subjects include an overview of the CWC, its object and purpose, its benefits, and sources of information on it; and the OPCW, its structure and mission, and how it implements the CWC.

1.3     PRESENT STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION

                   Overview of the current status of implementation, including important outstanding matters

1.4     ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTION UNDER ARTICLE X; INVESTIGATIONS OF ALLEGED USE

The operational tasks of States Parties relating to assistance and protection under Article X; Various forms of protection against CWs; how the OPCW can develop and maintain a state of readiness to assist any Member State that is attacked or threatened with CWs; how protective postures can be improved.

1.5     INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION UNDER ARTICLE XI

          The operational tasks of States Parties relating to economic and technological development under Article XI; the programmes operated by the OPCW to promote international cooperation in the fields of chemistry and chemical technology.

2.             LEGISLATION

2.1     LEGAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE CWC

Rights and obligations under the CWC from a legal perspective

2.2     IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION

Overview of the legislative and administrative measures a State Party must introduce in order to implement the CWC, and of the use of model legislation to meet some of these requirements.

3.       DECLARATIONS

3.1     OPERATIONAL TASKS RELATING TO DECLARATIONS

          Overview of declaration requirements under Articles III and VI, and of the import and export provisions of the CWC; how to contribute, with the help of the Declaration Handbook, to the preparation of correct and timely declarations as required under the CWC

How declarable activities, especially declarable imports, on the parts of a Member State can be identified; the regulations that may be required to ascertain the accuracy of the declared data.   

3.3     DECLARATION PROBLEMS

          Discussion of various problems that may be encountered by National Authorities when preparing declarations, and by the Secretariat when evaluating declarations; and identification of possible solutions

3.4     DATA HANDLING AND CONFIDENTIALITY

Database-handling and data-collection techniques; means of ensuring confidentiality and data security

4.1     THE INSPECTION PROCESS

4.2     ARTICLE IX OF THE CONVENTION

   The procedures for consultations, cooperation, and fact‑finding, including challenge inspections

4.3     TABLETOP INSPECTION EXERCISE

   The purpose of this exercise will be to prepare and carry out a national escort to a chemical industry facility, based on data that will be provided.

5.1     RUNNING A NATIONAL AUTHORITY

   Detailed study of the operational tasks required of national bodies charged with implementing the CWC, including National Authorities.

5.5     THE ROLE OF CUSTOMS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION

          How customs can assist National Authorities in obtaining declaration data and ascertaining that there have been no prohibited transfers of scheduled chemicals

Annex 2

Basic course for personnel involved in the national implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention

The Hague, the Netherlands

2 – 6 JUNE 2003

NOMINATION FORM

Please submit the completed form by 9 May 2003 to:

The Director, International Cooperation and Assistance Division, OPCW

Johan de Wittlaan 32, 2517 JR The Hague, the Netherlands

Fax: +31 (0)70 306 3535; e-mail: ImplementationSupportBranch@opcw.org.

Please TYPE or use BLOCK LETTERS.

1.    Government body making the nomination  
2.    Family name of nominee  
3.    First name(s)  
4.    Date of birth  
5.    Nationality  
6.    Gender* Male                        Female
7.    Passport no.  
8.    Date of issue  
9.    Expiry date  
10.  Place of issue  
11.    Employer  
 
12.     Description of duties  
 
 
13.     Contact address  
 
 
14.  Telephone number† Home:                                        Office:
15.  Fax number Home:                                        Office:
16.  E-mail address  
17.  Has the nominee previously attended a basic course of this kind?* Yes                         No  If so, when and where?
16.  Is sponsorship required?* Yes                         No
17.  Is assistance in finding accommodation required?* Yes                         No

* Please tick the appropriate box.

†  Please include the country and city codes.

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