T LETTER OF THANKS TO ITALY MFA OFFICIAL FOR PSI

UNCLAS STATE 077504 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL IT SUBJECT: T LETTER OF THANKS TO ITALY MFA OFFICIAL FOR PSI 5TH ANNIVERSARY PRESENTATION REF: STATE 023570 ¶1. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND: Italian MFA Deputy Director General for Political Affairs Filippo Formica made a formal statement 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. Formica's statement reviewed the progress of the PSI and gave recommendations for its future path, 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, Filippo Formica, thanking him for his presentation at 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 Italy wishes to do so. There will be no signed original. ¶3. Begin text of letter: Dear Mr. Formica: On behalf of the U.S. Government, I want to thank you for your statement reviewing the progress of the PSI and giving recommendations for its future path, made 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 panel and the meeting overall. I particularly appreciated your call for further efforts in conducting exercises, improving national and international legal frameworks, conducting outreach, and combating proliferation financing. 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 Italy 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