T LETTER OF THANKS TO FCO DIRECTOR-GENERAL LESLIE

UNCLAS STATE 080510 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL UK SUBJECT: T LETTER OF THANKS TO FCO DIRECTOR-GENERAL LESLIE FOR HER ROLE IN PSI 5TH ANNIVERSARY REF: STATE 023568 ¶1. SUMMARY: FCO Director General for Defence and Intelligence Mariot Leslie led a panel on ways to continue strengthening the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) at the Senior-Level Meeting for all PSI endorsing states held May 28, 2008, in Washington, DC, on the occasion of the PSI's Fifth Anniversary. This panel addressed current proliferation challenges and raised ideas for improving PSI cooperation and participation to address them. It included statements and presentations by representatives of Turkey, New Zealand, Croatia, Lithuania, and Kazakhstan. 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 FCO Director General Leslie, thanking her for her leading role in the PSI Fifth Anniversary Senior-Level Meeting. The State Department does not plan to release the text of this message but has no objection if HMG wishes to do so. There will be no signed original. ¶3. Begin text of letter: Dear Ms. Leslie: On behalf of the U.S. Government, I want to thank you for introducing and leading the panel "Looking Ahead: Continuing to Strengthen PSI" at the May 28, 2008 Senior-Level Meeting of Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) participants in Washington DC. Your leadership of the panel made an important contribution to the success of the meeting. 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 United Kingdom 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