ISN LETTERS OF THANKS TO AUSTRALIAN PSI PRESENTERS

UNCLAS STATE 080543

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL AS
SUBJECT: ISN LETTERS OF THANKS TO AUSTRALIAN 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. Two Australian officials had formal roles at the
workshop. Kerin Leonard, Principal Legal Officer, Office of
International Law, Attorney General's Department, gave a
presentation on the proliferation challenges of transshipment
by air, land and sea. Ted Knez, Deputy for
Counter-Proliferation in the International Security Division
of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT),gave a
presentation on the PSI and upcoming events. 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 Ms. Leonard and Mr. Knez,
thanking them for their contributions to the PSI Outreach
Workshop. There will be no signed original.


4. Begin text of letter to Kerin Leonard, Attorney General's
Department:

Dear Ms. Leonard:

I would like to thank you for giving the presentation on the
"The Proliferation Challenges of Transshipment by Air, Land
and Sea - Difficulties of Interdicting Dual-Use Items and
Materials" at the May 29, 2008 Proliferation Security
Initiative (PSI) Outreach Workshop in Washington, DC. 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
Australia 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 Ted Knez, DFAT:

Dear Mr. Knez:

I would like to thank you for giving the presentation on the
PSI and upcoming PSI events at the May 29, 2008 Proliferation
Security Initiative (PSI) Outreach Workshop in Washington,
DC. 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
Australia 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. 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