URGING PSI ENDORSEMENT BY WESTERN HEMISPHERE

UNCLAS STATE 029766 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MNUC PARM PHSA PREL KNNP XL XM SUBJECT: URGING PSI ENDORSEMENT BY WESTERN HEMISPHERE COUNTRIES PRIOR TO MAY 2008 FIFTH ANNIVERSARY REF: A. 07 STATE 071281 (NOTAL) ¶B. 07 STATE 090345 (NOTAL) -------------- SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST -------------- ¶1. The U.S. is hosting two events in Washington on May 28-29, 2008 on the occasion of the Fifth Anniversary of the establishment of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). First announced by President Bush at Krakow, Poland, this initiative is one of the hallmarks of the Administration's efforts to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destructions. A Senior-Level Meeting on the first day will take stock of the first five years of the PSI and discuss the way forward to further strengthen the Initiative. This meeting will be open only to those countries that have endorsed the PSI. The second day will be an outreach workshop with informational briefings for countries that have not endorsed the PSI, as well as those that have endorsed but may lack information on all the available participation opportunities. ¶2. In advance of these May events, Washington is seeking to increase the number of countries that endorse the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles (SOP) (text is available at www.state.gov/t/isn/c10390.htm) by conducting targeted outreach in key states and underrepresented regions, including Latin America. A number of Latin American countries have shown an interest in the PSI, but for various reasons have not made a final decision to endorse. ¶3. WHA ACTION ADDRESSEES are requested to engage host governments again (See Refs A and B) about endorsing the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles (SOP) (BRIDGETOWN for all the countries under your purview). Posts are requested to approach highest appropriate levels of host government and urge endorsement of the PSI SOP. In particular, please inform host governments that they must endorse the PSI in order to participate in the Senior-Level Meeting on May 28, which will set the direction for the PSI in future years. Posts may draw from points in paragraph 6, which also may be left as a non-paper. Posts should leave the letter from A/S Shannon in paragraph 7 and may leave the sample diplomatic note in paragraph 8 with host government. ¶4. EMBASSIES MADRID, OTTAWA, LISBON, and LONDON are requested to notify host governments of U.S. efforts to urge Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Uruguay to participate in the PSI, and to pass copies of the non-paper in paragraph 6 for their information. Washington will also discuss possible joint outreach efforts with the Washington-based representatives of these governments. -------------- REPORTING DEADLINE -------------- ¶5. Please report delivery of cable and any immediate response by COB March 28, 2008. E-mail replies are acceptable, but we do need confirmation that host governments have received this approach. Please also continue to report reactions as received. -------------- BACKGROUND/NONPAPER -------------- ¶6. Begin points: -- May 2008 marks the Fifth Anniversary of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). -- In the five years since its inception, over 85 countries from every region of the world have endorsed the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles. -- As a result, the PSI has become the hallmark of strong nonproliferation credentials. -- To date, the PSI partners have conducted over 30 operational interdiction training exercises (air, maritime, and ground) involving more than 70 nations. These exercises are a key element of the PSI in increasing the interoperability of PSI participants, improving interdiction decision-making processes and procedures, and enhancing the interdiction capacities of all participating states. The PSI partner states continue to work together by sharing information, conducting exercises, and carrying out interdictions that improve our ability and readiness to disrupt and counter proliferation activities. -- We would welcome your Government's participation in the PSI. By endorsing the PSI Statement of Interdiction, your government will undertake a political commitment to stop WMD trafficking within the constraints of your national capabilities and legal authorities. Other regional neighbors who participate in the PSI include Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Panama, Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras. -- The United States is hosting a meeting of senior policy makers from all PSI endorsing states in Washington on May 28 to mark the PSI's Fifth Anniversary. The participants will review the PSI's results so far and exchange ideas for strengthening it further for the future. Your government's endorsement of the PSI before then would enable it to participate in this meeting. -- We will also host a PSI outreach workshop the following day in the same location. The workshop will include informational briefings on the broad range of available PSI participation opportunities. This outreach workshop on May 29 will be open to all countries to attend. Your government may wish to send representatives from your capital to this event, although representatives from your embassy in Washington would also be welcome. The invitation and logistical information for this PSI workshop will be provided in the near future. -- We urge your government to endorse the PSI Statement of Interdiction through a diplomatic note to the United States or another PSI partner state prior to the Fifth Anniversary Meeting. -- Participation in the PSI is also a signal that a state takes its UN Security Council obligations seriously, including those under UNSCR 1540. This resolution identified the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) as a threat to international peace and security. It also identified cooperative efforts as one way in which states could cooperate to counter WMD and missile proliferation. -- PSI participants have quietly cooperated to stop shipments of technology related to weapons of mass destruction and their delivery means. -- These actions have been taken voluntarily and in all cases fully consistent with national legal authorities and relevant international law and frameworks. -- The PSI does not in any way conflict with international law. To the contrary, the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles, which participating states endorse to become PSI participants, explicitly states that participants commit to interdiction principles "consistent with national legal authorities and relevant international law and frameworks, including the UN Security Council." -- Participation in any PSI activity is voluntary. If a state believes it does not have the legal authorities or capability to act in a specific case, it may decline to participate. -- The Statement of Interdiction Principles does not entail any legal or operational obligations. Nonetheless, endorsement of the Statement of Principles provides a clear indication of a country's strong nonproliferation credentials, and also acts as a strong deterrent to proliferators seeking to abuse states' sovereign territory by trafficking WMD and missile-related materials and items. -------------- LETTER FROM ASSISTANT SECRETARY -------------- ¶7. Begin text of PSI letter from A/S Shannon: (Insert appropriate salutation) May 2008 marks the Fifth Anniversary of President Bush's announcement of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) in Krakow, Poland. On this occasion, the United States is hosting the PSI Fifth Anniversary Conference May 28-29, 2008, in Washington, D.C. I write to you to encourage your government to endorse the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles prior to the Fifth Anniversary Conference. A Senior-Level Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 28, for all PSI endorsing governments. The focus of this meeting will be to review the Initiative's results and successes over the last five years and look at ways to continue strengthening the PSI for the future. By first endorsing the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles, your government would then be able to participate in this meeting. On Thursday, May 29, the workshop will be open to both PSI endorsing states and states considering endorsement. It will provide detailed information on the broad range of PSI activities and share best practices and tools that have been developed to assist countries with implementing their commitment to the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles. We encourage participation in this workshop by experts in the defense, legal, law enforcement and customs, operational and intelligence communities. Greater participation by Latin American states in the PSI will strengthen the region's security against trafficking in weapons of mass destruction. The capacity-building exercises and other cooperation conducted by the PSI nations also provide secondary benefits in improving capabilities against all illegal trafficking and transshipments. I urge your government to seriously consider endorsing the PSI, and if you decide to do so, provide a diplomatic note to that effect. I look forward to your government's positive response and your participation in the PSI Fifth Anniversary events. Sincerely, Thomas A. Shannon Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs -------------- SAMPLE DIPLOMATIC NOTE -------------- ¶8. Begin text of sample diplomatic note endorsing the PSI: The Government of (country) welcomes and fully supports the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) and the 4 September 2003 Statement of Interdiction Principles (SOP). This endorsement reflects (country's) willingness to cooperate in preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD),their means of delivery and related materials. (Country) is committed to upholding the PSI SOP and looks forward to participating, to the extent possible, in future PSI-related activities. (Additional language on your government's commitment to non-proliferation and particular efforts your government would like to undertake, etc., may be inserted as desired.) End Sample Diplomatic Note. -------------- POINT OF CONTACT -------------- ¶9. Washington points of contact for follow-up information are Carlos Guzman, ISN/CPI, and Jane Purcell, ISN/CPI. Please slug all responses for ISN, T, and WHA. Washington greatly appreciates Posts' assistance. RICE