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