Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE77487
2008-07-18 16:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

T LETTER OF THANKS TO NETHERLANDS MFA OFFICIAL

Tags:  KNNP MNUC PARM PREL NL 
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VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #7487 2001615
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 181610Z JUL 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE IMMEDIATE 2715
UNCLAS STATE 077487 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL NL
SUBJECT: T LETTER OF THANKS TO NETHERLANDS MFA OFFICIAL
FOR PSI 5TH ANNIVERSARY PRESENTATION

REF: STATE 023570

UNCLAS STATE 077487

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL NL
SUBJECT: T LETTER OF THANKS TO NETHERLANDS MFA OFFICIAL
FOR PSI 5TH ANNIVERSARY PRESENTATION

REF: STATE 023570


1. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND: The Netherlands MFA Deputy
Director-General for Political Affairs, Wim Geerts, gave a
presentation at the Senior-Level Meeting for all states
endorsing the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) held
May 28, 2008, in Washington, DC, on the occasion of the PSI's
Fifth Anniversary. Geerts described obstacles in
implementing the PSI and possible solutions to them, during
the opening panel on taking stock of the first five years of
the PSI. The PSI 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 MFA Deputy Director-General for
Political Affairs Wim Geerts, thanking him for his role in
the PSI Fifth Anniversary Senior-Level Meeting. The State
Department does not plan to release the text of this letter
but has no objection if the Government of The Netherlands
wishes to do so. There will be no signed original.


3. Begin text of letter:

Dear Mr. Geerts:

On behalf of the U.S. Government, I want to thank you for
your presentation describing obstacles in implementing the
PSI and possible solutions to them, at the opening panel of
the May 28, 2008 Senior-Level Meeting for Proliferation
Security Initiative (PSI) participants in Washington DC.
Your presentation made an important contribution to the
meeting. This panel was a good way for the meeting
participants to take stock of the first five years of the
PSI, including the views of The Netherlands and several other
key PSI partners.

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 one
another. We hope this event will result in expanded
participation in PSI activities, particularly on a regional
basis. The United States recognizes that The Netherlands
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