ISN LETTER OF THANKS TO ITALY PSI PRESENTER

UNCLAS STATE 080869

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL IT
SUBJECT: ISN LETTER OF THANKS TO ITALY PSI PRESENTER

REF: STATE 023570


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. Nicola Antonio Laurelli, Head of the
Method and Control Central Unit, Italian Customs, gave a
presentation on Customs' Role in the PSI and a case of
Customs cooperation (copy can be forwarded upon request).


2. ACTION REQUESTED: Embassy is requested to deliver under
appropriate cover the following letter from Acting Assistant
Secretary Patricia McNerney to Mr. Laurelli, thanking him for
his presentation. There will be no signed original.


3. Begin text of letter:

Dear Mr. Laurelli:

I would like to thank you for giving the presentation on
"Customs' Role and a Case of Customs Cooperation" 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
Italy 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

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