T LETTER OF THANKS TO UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE

UNCLAS STATE 072987 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL PL SUBJECT: T LETTER OF THANKS TO UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE WASZCZYKOWSKI FOR PSI SPEECH REF: STATE 023570 ¶1. SUMMARY: Polish Under Secretary of State Witold Waszczykowski delivered the luncheon address during the Senior-Level Meeting for all states endorsing the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) held on May 28, 2008, in Washington, DC, on the occasion of the PSI's Fifth Anniversary (copy forwarded separately). The Senior-Level Meeting was attended by representatives of 85 countries, almost all of the 92 states that have endorsed the PSI. ¶2. ACTION REQUESTED: Embassy is requested to deliver under appropriate cover the following letter from Acting Under Secretary John Rood to Under Secretary of State Waszczykowski, thanking him for his speech. The State Department does not plan to release the text of this message but has no objection if the Government of Poland wishes to do so. There will be no signed original. ¶3. Begin text of letter: Dear Under Secretary of State Waszczykowski: On behalf of the U.S. Government, I want to thank you for your luncheon address delivered at the May 28, 2008 Senior-Level Meeting of Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) participants in Washington DC, covering Poland's views on the state of the PSI. Your speech made an important contribution to the success of the meeting. I particularly welcome your call for greater regional cooperation and Poland's proposal to host a regional Operational Experts Group (OEG) meeting next year. For our part, the U.S. Department of Defense is planning to host a regional OEG meeting next year for Western Hemisphere states. Poland will, of course, also be invited to participate. I believe the PSI Fifth Anniversary Senior-Level Meeting was very successful in reaffirming the strong commitment of the PSI partner states to respond to the WMD proliferation challenge. It also provided the participants from 85 countries an opportunity to strengthen communication with each other. We hope this event will result in expanded participation in PSI activities, particularly on a regional basis. The United States recognizes that Poland plays a significant role in the PSI, and we greatly appreciate your Government's continued efforts and contributions to advancing the PSI goals. Sincerely, John C. Rood Acting Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security End text of letter. ¶4. POINTS OF CONTACT: Washington points of contact on the PSI are Jane Purcell, e-mail: PurcelJa@state.gov , 202-647-6186; and Carlos Guzman, e-mail: GuzmanCS@state.gov , 202-647-6320. Department appreciates Post's assistance. RICE