T LETTER OF THANKS TO GERMAN COMMISSIONER GRONING

UNCLAS STATE 081390 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL GM SUBJECT: T LETTER OF THANKS TO GERMAN COMMISSIONER GRONING FOR PSI 5TH ANNIVERSARY PRESENTATION REF: STATE 023568 ¶1. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND: Ambassador Friedrich Groning, Commissioner of the Federal Government for Arms Control and Disarmament, German Foreign Office, 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. Groning's presentation described a PSI resource website newly proposed and developed by Germany. 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 Ambassador Groning, thanking him for his presentation at the PSI Fifth Anniversary Senior-Level Meeting. The State Department does not plan to release the text of this letter but has no objection if the Government of Germany wishes to do so. There will be no signed original. ¶3. Begin text of letter: Dear Ambassador Groning: On behalf of the U.S. Government, I want to thank you for your presentation "Expanding Distribution of PSI Information: The PSI Resource Page" given 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 meeting. We are looking forward to widespread use of Germany's new PSI website as a tool for participating countries to stay better informed on PSI developments. 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 Germany 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