ISN LETTERS OF THANKS TO UK PSI PRESENTERS

UNCLAS STATE 078237 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL UK SUBJECT: ISN LETTERS OF THANKS TO UK PSI PRESENTERS REF: STATE 023568 ¶1. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND: On May 29, 2008, the United States hosted a Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Outreach Workshop in Washington, attended by representatives of 21 countries that have not yet endorsed the PSI, as well as most of the 92 PSI participating states. The workshop provided detailed information on the broad range of PSI activities and tools that have been developed for training, organizing for, and conducting interdictions of shipments of proliferation concern. ¶2. Three UK officials had formal roles at the workshop. Myles Hothersall, a senior lawyer in the Solicitor's Office of HM Revenue and Customs, gave two presentations: on a successful PSI prosecution case and on the legal aspects of the PSI. John Andrews, Deputy for the Counter-Proliferation Support Group, Ministry of Defence, moderated a panel on current proliferation threats and challenges. Dr. Bryan Wells, Director, Counter-Proliferation and Arms Control, Ministry of Defence, gave a briefing on the role of the PSI Operational Experts Group on short notice, because of the unavailability of the scheduled Greek presenter. Copies of presentations can be forwarded upon request. ¶3. ACTION REQUESTED: Embassy is requested to deliver under appropriate cover the following letters from Acting Assistant Secretary Patricia McNerney to Mr. Hothersall, Mr. Andrews, and Dr. Wells, thanking them for their contributions to the PSI Outreach Workshop. There will be no signed original. ¶4. Begin text of letter to Myles Hothersall, HMRC: Dear Mr. Hothersall: I would like to thank you for giving two presentations at the May 29, 2008 Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Outreach Workshop in Washington, DC, on "Operation Attitude" and on the "Legal Aspects of the PSI." Your presentations made important contributions to the Workshop. I believe the Outreach Workshop was very successful both because it informed states of the many ongoing PSI activities and because it provided states with concrete ways to improve their capabilities to stop WMD-related trafficking. The United States greatly appreciates the significant role that the UK plays in advancing the PSI's goals, including in outreach. We believe that we must continue PSI outreach, both to encourage more states to endorse the PSI and encourage states that have already endorsed to participate more actively. We look forward to continuing our work together in support of the PSI. Sincerely, Patricia A. McNerney Acting Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation, Department of State ¶5. Begin text of letter to John Andrews, MOD: Dear Mr. Andrews: I would like to thank you for introducing and moderating the panel on "Current Proliferation Threats and Challenges" at the May 29, 2008 Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Outreach Workshop in Washington, DC. The panel helped to explain to attendees the methods being used by proliferators and ways in which they can be countered. I believe the Outreach Workshop was very successful both because it informed states of the many ongoing PSI activities and because it provided states with concrete ways to improve their capabilities to stop WMD-related trafficking. The United States greatly appreciates the significant role that the UK plays in advancing the PSI's goals, including in outreach. We believe that we must continue PSI outreach, both to encourage more states to endorse the PSI and encourage states that have already endorsed to participate more actively. We look forward to continuing our work together in support of the PSI. Sincerely, Patricia A. McNerney Acting Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation, Department of State ¶6. Begin text of letter to Bryan Wells, MOD: Dear Dr. Wells: I would like to thank you for giving the presentation on the role of the Operational Experts Group (OEG) at the May 29, 2008 Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Outreach Workshop in Washington, DC. I particularly appreciate your willingness to step up to this responsibility on very short notice. Your presentation made an important contribution to the Workshop. I believe the Outreach Workshop was very successful both because it informed states of the many ongoing PSI activities and because it provided states with concrete ways to improve their capabilities to stop WMD-related trafficking. The United States greatly appreciates the significant role that the UK plays in advancing the PSI's goals, including in outreach. We believe that we must continue PSI outreach, both to encourage more states to endorse the PSI and encourage states that have already endorsed to participate more actively. We look forward to continuing our work together in support of the PSI. Sincerely, Patricia A. McNerney Acting Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation, Department of State ¶7. 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