T LETTER OF THANKS TO DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER

UNCLAS STATE 081384 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL JA SUBJECT: T LETTER OF THANKS TO DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER SASAE FOR HIS ROLE IN PSI 5TH ANNIVERSARY REF: STATE 023570 ¶1. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND: Japanese Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Kenichiro Sasae led a panel on efforts to strengthen international frameworks at the Senior-Level Meeting for all Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) endorsing states held May 28, 2008, in Washington, DC, on the occasion of the PSI's Fifth Anniversary. This panel addressed how new treaties and frameworks support the PSI; and how the PSI can fill gaps and assist in examining and strengthening national legal authorities and applicable international law. It included statements and presentations by representatives of Canada, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and Spain. 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 Deputy Minister Sasae, thanking him for his 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 the Government of Japan wishes to do so. There will be no signed original. ¶3. Begin text of letter: Dear Mr. Sasae: On behalf of the U.S. Government, I want to thank you for introducing and leading the panel "Efforts to Strengthen International Frameworks" 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 Japan 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