AUCKLAND PSI POINTS DELIVERED; AZERBAIJAN REQUESTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000532 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR ACTING U/S JOHN ROOD E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/01/2020 TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL AJ SUBJECT: AUCKLAND PSI POINTS DELIVERED; AZERBAIJAN REQUESTS MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PSI INITIATIVES REF: SECSTATE 53412 Classified By: DCM JASON P. HYLAND FOR REASONS 1.4 (B). ¶1. (U) This is an action request, see para 3. ¶2. (U) Poloff delivered reftel talking points on the Auckland PSI conference to Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Security Affairs Department. MFA officers thanked poloff for the information and had specific follow-up questions about PSI decisions and the PSI decision-making process regarding interdictions and the model PSI response plan. MFA officers asked if there were any working drafts of these initiatives which they would be able to review. The MFA viewed the information contained in reftel to be positive. We request any further information from PSI on interdictions and response plan so we can provide it to the Azeris. ¶3. (C) COMMENT; The MFA has been reluctant to engage too deeply on PSI, however, this relative positive response is welcome. Azerbaijan's concerns have centered primarily on the issue of interdiction, and the requirements that may be placed on them in terms of interdicting possible proliferation-related shipments. The formalization of how PSI views interdictions and how interdiction requests are made would be very useful in reengaging the Azeris on the PSI question. Over the short term, we request any further information from PSI on interdictions and response plan so we can provide it to Azerbaijan. DERSE