ARGENTINA INTERESTED IN ATTENDING APRIL 11-12 PSI

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 000382 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2016 TAGS: PARM MARR PREL AR SUBJECT: ARGENTINA INTERESTED IN ATTENDING APRIL 11-12 PSI EXPERTS GROUP MEETING Classified By: Ambassador Lino Gutierrez, Reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 4. ¶2. (C) At a February 15 lunch hosted by Ambassador, the MFA's new Director of International Security, Nuclear, and Space Issues (DIGAN),Elsa Kelly, said the GOA would like to send an interagency delegation to the April 11-12 PSI Operational Experts Group meeting in Miami. Argentina became the first (and so far only) South American country to endorse the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles on March 31, 2005. Argentina's interest in PSI is consistent with its strong stance on nonproliferation issues, including support for UNSCR 1540 and two votes at the IAEA to refer Iran to the UN Security Council. ¶3. (C) DIGAN Official Maria Paula MacLoughlin, who also attended the lunch, told POLOFF that the GOA has identified 6 experts for the Miami meeting: 1 from the Coast Guard, 2 from the Ministry of Defense (one civilian and one Naval officer), 1 from Customs, 1 from the Border Police (Gendarmeria) and 1 official from the Argentine consulate in Miami representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ¶4. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Post requests that the Department send an official invitation to the GOA to participate in the April 11-12 OEG meeting, including information regarding the agenda as well as travel and hotel information. ¶5. (C) The points of contact for this request are Political-Military Officer Richard Miles, milesrg@state.sgov.gov, and Military Group Commander Colonel Joseph Napoli, napolij@buenosaires.cms.southcom.smil.mil. GUTIERREZ