SERBIA TO JOIN GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO COMBAT NUCLEAR

UNCLAS BELGRADE 001655 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN/WMDT AND T FOR TIM KATSAPIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PARM PREL SR SUBJECT: SERBIA TO JOIN GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO COMBAT NUCLEAR TERRORISM REF: BELGRADE 381 ¶1. (SBU) MFA Director for Arms Control, Branka Latinovic, told PolChief on December 11 that Serbia had agreed to join the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, providing a note verbale formally informing the USG of this decision. Ambassador Latinovic said that thedecision culminated an extensive government review, begun in response to joint U.S.-Russian encouragement to participate in the initiative (reported reftel) earlier in the year. Latinovic said the decision made good sense in the context of Serbia's commitment to fighting terrorism, generally, and noted that Serbia particpated in the Proliferation Security Initiative. An informal translation of the note verbale follow in paragraph 3. ¶2. (SBU) Latinovic said that to participate fully in this initiative Serbia would require assistance both in building technical capacity and implementating programs, and would welcome opportunities to participate in exercises. Agencies at post are coordinating to determine where additional assistance can be provided. ¶3. (SBU) /Begin Informal Translation/ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia pays its respect to the Embassy of the United States of America in Belgrade, and is honored to inform that the Government of Serbia has decided that the Republic of Serbia will join the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, jointly initiated, during the G-8 Summit in Saint Petersburg in 2006, by U.S. President George W. Bush and Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin. The Republic of Serbia has made contributions through its actions in keeping with the spirit of the Global Initiative -- shipping spent fuel to the Russian Federation for de-enrichment, strengthening the nuclear sector physical security and combating illegal trade in nuclear and other radioactive material, and ratifying the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. By joining the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and accepting the Statement on Principles, the Republic of Serbia expresses its readiness to participate actively and to contribute fully to their implementation. Once again, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia takes this opportunity to express great esteem for the Embassy of the United States of America in Belgrade. Belgrade, December 11, 2007 /End Translation/ MUNTER