T LETTER OF THANKS TO CANADIAN FINANCE OFFICIAL

UNCLAS STATE 080516 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL CA SUBJECT: T LETTER OF THANKS TO CANADIAN FINANCE OFFICIAL FOR PSI 5TH ANNIVERSARY PRESENTATIONS REF: STATE 023570 ¶1. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND: Robert Sample, Senior Economist, Department of Finance Canada, 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. Sample's presentation covered proliferation financing, during the panel on efforts to strengthen international frameworks that support 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. On May 29, 2008, the United States hosted a PSI Outreach Workshop in Washington, attended by representatives of 21 countries that have not yet endorsed the PSI, as well as most of the 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. Robert Sample also gave a presentation on proliferation financing at this workshop. (Copies of presentations can be forwarded upon request.) ¶3. ACTION REQUESTED: Embassy is requested to deliver under appropriate cover the following letter from Acting Under Secretary John Rood to Department of Finance Senior Economist Robert Sample, thanking him for his presentations at the PSI Fifth Anniversary Senior-Level Meeting and Outreach Workshop. The State Department does not plan to release the text of this letter but has no objection if the Government of Canada wishes to do so. There will be no signed original. ¶4. Begin text of letter: Dear Mr. Sample: On behalf of the U.S. Government, I want to thank you for your presentation on proliferation financing, given in the panel on efforts to strengthen international frameworks at 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, covering a key element of the international legal framework to counter WMD-related trafficking. I also would like to thank you for giving the presentation on proliferation financing at the May 29, 2008 PSI Outreach Workshop, geared toward briefing non-PSI states and PSI endorsing states that have not participated regularly on this critical issue. 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 Canada 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. ¶5. 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