Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06VIENTIANE404
2006-05-04 09:32:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vientiane
Cable title:
LAO RESPONSE ON PSI INITIATIVE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHVN #0404 1240932 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 040932Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9874
C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENTIANE 000404
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MLS, ISN/CPI, NP, T
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2016
TAGS: MNUC PARM PHSA PGOV PREL KNNP LA
SUBJECT: LAO RESPONSE ON PSI INITIATIVE
REF: STATE 50811
Classified By: Ambassador Patricia M. Haslach, reason 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENTIANE 000404
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MLS, ISN/CPI, NP, T
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2016
TAGS: MNUC PARM PHSA PGOV PREL KNNP LA
SUBJECT: LAO RESPONSE ON PSI INITIATIVE
REF: STATE 50811
Classified By: Ambassador Patricia M. Haslach, reason 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Embassy demarched the MFA's International
Organizations Department on March 31 and again on May 4
regarding the PSI initiative, conveying the talking points
contained in reftel. International Organizations Director
Saleumsai Kommasith told us that the GoL was "closely
following" discussion on the PSI initiative, and supported
PSI "in principle." He said the GoL fully concurred with
PSI's goal of preventing the spread of weapons of mass
destruction. He reminded us that Laos had participated in
PSI activities -- the GoL sent several officials (including
himself) to a regional workshop on PSI organized by Japan in
January -- and would continue to participate in regional
workshops and seminars pertaining to PSI.
2. (C) Saleumsai cautioned, however, that Laos was a "small
country" with limited resources for taking on new
responsibilities in international fora. He said his
government was concerned that endorsing PSI might create
obligations it would be unable to fill and overstretch its
capacity. As a result, the GoL was "still researching"
whether to sign on to the PSI initiative.
3. (C) The Poles have in recent days also demarched the GoL
on the PSI initiative. Polish Charge Tomas Gerlasch told us
that MFA had conveyed much the same line to him, that they
were studying the PSI proposal but could not yet offer an
endorsement.
HASLACH
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MLS, ISN/CPI, NP, T
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2016
TAGS: MNUC PARM PHSA PGOV PREL KNNP LA
SUBJECT: LAO RESPONSE ON PSI INITIATIVE
REF: STATE 50811
Classified By: Ambassador Patricia M. Haslach, reason 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Embassy demarched the MFA's International
Organizations Department on March 31 and again on May 4
regarding the PSI initiative, conveying the talking points
contained in reftel. International Organizations Director
Saleumsai Kommasith told us that the GoL was "closely
following" discussion on the PSI initiative, and supported
PSI "in principle." He said the GoL fully concurred with
PSI's goal of preventing the spread of weapons of mass
destruction. He reminded us that Laos had participated in
PSI activities -- the GoL sent several officials (including
himself) to a regional workshop on PSI organized by Japan in
January -- and would continue to participate in regional
workshops and seminars pertaining to PSI.
2. (C) Saleumsai cautioned, however, that Laos was a "small
country" with limited resources for taking on new
responsibilities in international fora. He said his
government was concerned that endorsing PSI might create
obligations it would be unable to fill and overstretch its
capacity. As a result, the GoL was "still researching"
whether to sign on to the PSI initiative.
3. (C) The Poles have in recent days also demarched the GoL
on the PSI initiative. Polish Charge Tomas Gerlasch told us
that MFA had conveyed much the same line to him, that they
were studying the PSI proposal but could not yet offer an
endorsement.
HASLACH