PSI: TALKING POINTS FOR OCTOBER 2007 RHODES,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 STATE 156160

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL
SUBJECT: PSI: TALKING POINTS FOR OCTOBER 2007 RHODES,
GREECE OPERATIONAL EXPERTS GROUP (OEG) MEETING

REF: A. STATE 156111

B. STATE 156113

SUMMARY


1. REFTELS A or B (different address groups) reported on the
latest Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Operational
Experts Group (OEG) meeting hosted by the Government of
Greece on October 2-4, 2007 in Rhodes, Greece. Although
participation in these meetings is limited (currently 20
countries) to hold streamlined discussions, the work of these
meetings is undertaken on behalf of all PSI participants
(i.e., the more than 85 countries that have endorsed the PSI
Statement of Interdiction Principles). Therefore, we would
like to continue to share key insights from the latest
meeting with those countries that have endorsed the PSI, do
not have the opportunity to attend the Operational Experts
Group (OEG) meetings, and with which we want to deepen our
operational cooperation.


2. Posts are requested to provide a summary of the October
2007 OEG meeting results to host government officials from
relevant agencies such as Ministries of Defense, Law
Enforcement Agencies (including Customs, Border Guards,
etc.),and Intelligence Agencies. END SUMMARY

OBJECTIVE


3. To inform PSI-endorsing states of the latest developments
in PSI resulting from the October 2-4, 2007 PSI OEG meeting
held in Rhodes, Greece. Post may draw from the background
paragraph, which may be left as a nonpaper. Additional
meeting materials for posts' reference only can be provided
by State/ISN/CPI (Carlos Guzman) upon request
(GuzmanCS@state.gov).

REPORTING DEADLINE: Not applicable.

BACKGROUND


4. BEGIN NON-PAPER ON THE OCTOBER 2007 PSI OEG MEETING
HOSTED BY GREECE:

-- The Government of Greece hosted the fifteenth PSI
Operational Experts Group (OEG) meeting on October 2-4, 2007.
These meetings currently include delegates from 20 PSI
partners who are establishing a PSI exercise program and

STATE 00156160 002 OF 004


developing basic operational concepts in support of the
Initiative and on behalf of the more than 85 PSI participants.

-- This meeting covered a broad range of topics, including
UNSCRs 1718/1737/1747, disposition and liability, maritime,
ground and air interdictions, outreach, proliferation
financing, a Model PSI National Response Plan, and PSI
exercises.

-- UNSCRs. OEG participants discussed how a commitment to
PSI is consistent with UNSCRs such as 1540, 1718, 1737 and

1747. Participants shared viewed on steps they were taking
to implement the UNSCR provisions.

-- USE OF INTELLIGENCE AS EVIDENCE. The UK delivered a
presentation on the use of intelligence as evidence in legal
proceedings, illustrating the need for close collaboration
between the intelligence and law enforcement communities. The
presentation underscored the importance of parallel case
construction in achieving the dual ends of protecting
intelligence sources and prosecuting claims.

-- SUA PROTOCOLS. Several OEG participants reported on the
status of ratifying the 2005 Protocols to the Convention on
the Suppression of Unlawful Acts at Sea (SUA). The US
reported that the Protocols were moving forward. On October
1, the White House transmitted the implementing legislation
to the Senate for review.

-- MARITIME INTERDICTION. In the area of maritime
interdiction, PSI Operational Experts focused for the first
time on bunkering, maritime choke points and hubs, noting the
particular challenges presented by these nodes along the
shipping supply chain in coastal states.

-- GROUND AND AIR INTERDICTIONS. In the area of ground and
air interdiction, participants shared information on
different programs that provide countries with a layered
defense against shipments of proliferation concern.
Additionally, Australia updated the OEG on a proposal before
the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) that
would criminalize the transport of dangerous materials aboard
aircraft. OEG partners received an updated matrix that
consolidates PSI countries' legal authorities with respect to
granting or denying overflight rights and the
processes/procedures involved.

-- OUTREACH MEETINGS. New Zealand reported on the results of
the Asia-Pacific Outreach Forum held in March 2007 following
the last OEG. Poland updated OEG partners on the extent of
its outreach activities in Europe and the Gulf Region.
Finally, PSI countries agreed to find ways to increase the

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capabilities and participation levels of non-OEG
PSI-endorsing countries.


-- PROLIFERATION FINANCE. Canada provided a back-brief on
the issues discussed at two recent Financial Action Task
Force (FATF) meetings in Ottawa (May 3-4) and Rome (September
17-18),including the issuance of non-binding guidance on
effective implementation of UNSCR prohibitions and broader
financial prohibitions. Additionally, Canada informed
partners of a FATF project on typologies that will eventually
lead to guidance on broader financial prohibitions. OEG
countries agreed to include FATF updates in subsequent OEG
meetings for informational purposes.

-- MODEL PSI NATIONAL RESPONSE PLAN. The OEG discussed the
latest version of a Model PSI National Response Plan that can
be used to help PSI countries assess how they can organize
themselves, what they need to improve their internal
capabilities to implement PSI and conduct interdictions, or
what issues they would have to address in order to contribute
to PSI activities. This product can be used in outreach
efforts.

-- PSI EXERCISES. The OEG reviewed the schedule of upcoming
PSI exercises. Japan provided an update on planning for
maritime interdiction exercise "Pacific Shield" that was
planned for October 13-16, almost immediately following the
OEG in Rhodes. Poland invited partners to participate in the
exercise "Eastern Shield", a multi-modal exercise held in
Ukraine from October 29-31, 2007. The exercise was organized
jointly by Poland, Ukraine and Romania with the participation
of other Black Sea countries. France will host a maritime
interdiction exercise "Guistir" in Djibouti on March 11-12,

2008. New Zealand announced plans to host maritime
interdiction exercise "Maru" on September 15-19, 2008.

-- CAPACITY BUILDING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. The US
presented the final version of a WMD and Missile Commodity
Technical Reference Manual that can assist anyone who reviews
shipping documentation or export licenses to make assessments
on the controllability of an export (for example, industry,
law enforcement officials, and licensing review officials).
OEG countries were encouraged to adapt the manual to the
specifics of their own domestic export control systems.

-- The UK will host the next PSI OEG meeting in London on
February 4-6, 2008.

-- The US will host an event in Washington in May/June 2008
for all PSI endorsing countries to commemorate the fifth
anniversary of PSI.

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END NON-PAPER ON THE OCTOBER 2007 PSI OEG MEETING
HOSTED BY GREECE.

POINTS OF CONTACT


5. Please slug responses for OSD GSA (Beth Flores) and
State/ISN/CPI (Carlos Guzman). USG POC for PSI Operational
Experts Group issues is OSD/GSA: Beth Flores. USG POC for
operational legal matters is Gary Sharp, DOD/OGC. USG POC for
PSI policy issues is Carlos Guzman, State/ISN/CPI.
RICE