T LETTER OF THANKS TO UAE MFA DIRECTOR AL-HOSANI

UNCLAS STATE 081403 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL AE SUBJECT: T LETTER OF THANKS TO UAE MFA DIRECTOR AL-HOSANI FOR PSI 5TH ANNIVERSARY REMARKS REF: STATE 023568 ¶1. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND: UAE MFA Director for International Organizations Yacub Al-Hosani made remarks 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. 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 MFA Director Al-Hosani, thanking him for his remarks 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 the UAE wishes to do so. There will be no signed original. ¶3. Begin text of letter: Your Excellency: On behalf of the U.S. Government, I want to thank you for your remarks at the May 28, 2008 Senior-Level Meeting for participants of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) in Washington DC. Your remarks made an important contribution to 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 the United Arab Emirates 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