PSI: CHILE'S PARTICIPATION IN THE PSI OPERATIONAL

UNCLAS STATE 153576 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CI KNNP MNUC PARM PREL SUBJECT: PSI: CHILE'S PARTICIPATION IN THE PSI OPERATIONAL EXPERTS GROUP (OEG) ¶1. This is an action request please see paragraphs 2-11. SUMMARY -------------- ¶2. Department requests embassy approach the GOC to determine its interest in becoming a participant in the PSI Operational Experts Group (OEG). If the GOC decides it is willing and able to accept the long-term commitment of support and resources to fully support participation in the PSI OEG, the USG will work with the other nineteen OEG partners on GOC's behalf to gain their inclusion in the OEG. ¶3. There are a limited number of states that can participate in the OEG if it is to remain an effective, action-oriented group working on behalf of the broader PSI community of more than 80 nations. If the GOC is willing to fully accept the rigors of OEG participation, we would look to it as a regional leader of the PSI to help carry PSI-related information to other regional participants; to conduct outreach to garner additional PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles endorsing states; and, at some future point to host a Regional OEG (ROEG) meeting or other regional PSI event. OBJECTIVES -------------- ¶4. Department instructs Embassy to pursue the following objectives: -- Determine GOC interest in becoming a full and active partner in the PSI Operational Experts Group (OEG). -- Make very clear to GOC that agreeing to participate in the PSI OEG will require a long-term commitment that can at times be resource intensive (manpower, exercise participation, travel to 3-4 OEG meetings annually, occasional PSI workshops, etc. and requires a level of participation as outlined in background paragraph 8. -- Inform the GOC that, if it decides to participate in the OEG, the USG will work on its behalf with the other nineteen OEG partners to gain GOC participation starting with the February 4-6, 2008 OEG meeting to be held in London, United Kingdom. Washington has received positive signals from the British and Canadian PSI OEG delegations that they would support an invitation to Chile. If Chile agrees, Washington does not expect any problems including Chile in the OEG. -- For embassies London and Ottawa only: Inform the appropriate British and Canadian officials that we are approaching Chile on possible OEG participation and will notify them on the Chilean response. REPORTING DEADLINE -------------- ¶5. Embassy should report results of efforts by cable before November 16, 2007. BACKGROUND -------------- ¶6. There are a limited number of states that can participate in the OEG if it is to remain an effective action-oriented group working on behalf of the broader PSI community of more than 85 nations. The GOC's active support for the PSI, its strategic importance in Latin America, and the GOC's demonstrated commitment during SOUTHCOM exercise Panamax 07 has prompted the USG decision to invite the GOC to participate in the PSI OEG. ¶7. The OEG is currently a group of 20 nations working to improve interdiction methodologies; plan and execute PSI exercises; improve national capacities for interdiction of OEG and non-OEG states; identify national and international legal positions to ensure all actions taken in interdictions will be consistent with national and international law and frameworks; and enhance the interoperability of PSI participants. The twenty PSI OEG states currently include Argentina, Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. ¶8. The decision to join the OEG should not be made lightly. The schedule of meetings, exercises, and other events is significant in terms of a state's resources of manpower, travel money, and time. -- OEG meetings are held approximately quarterly around the world. For example, the last three OEG meetings were held in Montreal, Canada (December 2006),Auckland, New Zealand (March 2007), and Rhodes, Greece (October, 2007). The next OEG meeting will be held in London, United Kingdom in February 2008. Participating OEG states are expected to attend each meeting with a sufficiently robust delegation of operational experts from various ministries. -- Most states' delegations average 8-10 members. -- Three PSI OEG-planned exercises are held annually, as well as a number of regional exercises in various parts of the world. OEG participants are expected to at least send appropriate operational expert observers, if not contribute assets to the OEG-planned exercises. Regional exercises and Regional OEG (ROEG) meetings do not require all OEG partners' attendance, but most OEG states send at least observers to support their partner nations and keep abreast of the latest information. -- PSI OEG sponsored workshops are held approximately annually. OEG participants are expected to attend these workshops with a sufficient number of appropriate experts to add value to the workshop on their nation's specific issues. The last three workshops have included a UK-hosted maritime industry workshop in London on September 25-26, 2006; a U.S.-hosted air cargo industry workshop in Los Angeles on September 14-15, 2005; and a Danish-hosted shipping container security workshop in Copenhagen on August 3-4, 2004. -- Additional PSI background information can be obtained at the State Department PSI web site (http://www.state.gov/t/isn/c10390.htm) which contains a complete list of past OEG meetings, exercises, and workshops as well as the key PSI documents and other information. The Canadian web site (http://www.proliferationsecurity.info) provides links to other PSI participating nation's web sites. ¶9. OEG Delegation Composition: It is important to ensure the OEG remains a forum for experts to gather and share capabilities and operational lessons and techniques. Therefore, we firmly believe OEG delegations should be led by Ministry of Defense (MOD) officials, military officers, or law enforcement community equivalent personnel due to the operational nature of PSI activities. Also, the importance of the Head of Delegation (HoD) and delegation member continuity to the OEG process is critical. The most effective OEG states are those whose HoDs have retained that position for a lengthy period. Most states have historically sent delegations to the OEG led by a 1-star military officer, a MOD civilian equivalent (although delegations from some smaller countries are led by a Colonel or equivalent), or an equivalent representative from the law enforcement community as head of delegation.The delegations typically include the following types of experts: -- Operational law representative, such as a Lieutenant Colonel or Colonel (O-5 or O-6) military lawyer and/or equivalent rank law enforcement lawyer. -- Operational intelligence representative such as a defense or law enforcement official of O-5 or O-6 level rank or equivalent. -- Additional operational officials from law enforcement, customs, border security, military, foreign ministry, and intelligence agencies. -- Military exercise, legal, law enforcement, and intelligence expertise in the delegation is needed because OEG meetings include break-out groups in these areas that meet simultaneously. Note: The PSI OEG was explained to Chilean representatives during the June 2007 U.S.-Chile Defense Consultative Commission in Washington. Captain George Brown (Chilean MOD) and local embassy representatives attended and told OSD reps that discussion of possible OEG participation was taking place among various ministries in Santiago. ¶10. The USG would like the GOC to increase its participation in the PSI. As a first step, GOC participation in the OEG would be welcome. But, we would also envision the GOC acting as a regional leader for the initiative, conducting regional outreach efforts to garner additional PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles endorsing states, and possibly hosting a regional exercise or meeting. If GOC is willing to undertake this role, the USG and other OEG members stand ready to assist its efforts and would work with it to help prepare for the London OEG meeting in February, 2008. ¶11. For Embassies Ottawa and London only. If Chile desires to join the PSI OEG, Washington expects to work with the British and Canadian PSI OEG delegation experts to prepare Chile for the London meeting in February 2008. POINT OF CONTACT -------------- ¶12. Please contact ISN/CPI Carlos Guzman at 202-647-6329 or email GuzmanCS@state.gov for further information. RICE