SERBIA FORMALLY SUPPORTS PSI

UNCLAS BELGRADE 001970 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PGOV PREL MARR SR SUBJECT: SERBIA FORMALLY SUPPORTS PSI This is an action request, see para 3. ¶1. On December 5, the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs handed emboff an official statement of support for the Proliferation Security Initiative and its principals under cover of diplomatic note number 34019. The statement, dated November 16, 2006, will be put on the Ministry's website in the near future, according to our contacts. Text of Statement follows: ¶2. (U) Begin Text Belgrade, 16/11/2006 Statement of the Government of the Republic of Serbia on the Accession to the Proliferation Security Initiative The danger of weapons of mass destruction is one of the greatest threats to international order, peace and security. Aware of the fact, the Government of the Republic of Serbia renders its active support to international activities aimed at preventing the proliferation of this type of weapons and the acquisition by non-state actors. The existence of a real danger of possible use of weapons of mass destruction by non-state actors highlights the need for the countries to cooperate in an effective, continuous and close way and to take decisive and efficient measures and actions in order to eliminate this type of threat to national, regional and global security. The Government of the Republic of Serbia welcomes and supports the Proliferation Security Initiative launched by the United States in Krakow in September 2003 as well as the Statement of Interdiction Principles of 4 September 2004 signed in Paris. This Initiative renders a substantial contribution to the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 which considers the weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery and related materials in a comprehensive way and provides for a binding code of conduct for all states in respect of non-proliferation, prevention and suppression of illegal weapons of mass destruction access. By acceding to Proliferation Security Initiative, Serbia expresses its readiness to actively participate in the programme taking place within its ambit and commits itself to take necessary measures under its laws in order to prevent possible proliferation of weapons of mass destruction over its territory within the Initiative. End text. ¶3. (U) Action Request: MFA requested a "menu" of past and planned PSI-related activities, as well as an indication of which countries and/or international organizations would be best placed to help Serbia plan to participate in or host a PSI-related exercise in the next 12 months. We would welcome Department's input on these requests. Point of contact is deputy political counselor Ian Campbell. POLT