MAURITIUS CONSIDERING PARTICIPATION IN 5TH PLENARY GI

UNCLAS PORT LOUIS 000037 DEPT FOR ISN FM/WMDT MEGGEN WATT AND SARAH PRESCOTT AF/E FOR MARIA BEYZEROV E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PINR PINS PREL PTER KGIC MP SUBJECT: MAURITIUS CONSIDERING PARTICIPATION IN 5TH PLENARY GI MEETING REF: A) STATE 132539 B) BARBER ISN FM/WMDT 1-12-08 EMAIL C) PORT LOUIS 244 ¶1. On January 22, Charge d'Affaires (CDA) and the Russian Ambassador to Mauritius, Mrs. Olga Ivanova, jointly delivered a demarche regarding the 5th plenary GI meeting to Foreign Minister Dr. Arvin Boolell (FORMIN) and Ambassador Patrice Cure, Head of Multilateral Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation. ¶2. FORMIN Boolell said that Mauritius is open to participating in the 5th Plenary GI meeting and requested more information on the partner members that will be present at The Hague meeting. Boolell added that this meeting is timely as Mauritius will soon set up a CT unit and this could be an opportunity for local CT experts to establish contact with their GI counterparts. Boolell concurred that this will be a pretext for countries to assess their CT awareness and evaluate their practical plans and measure their readiness to fight terrorism. ¶3. The Russian COM proposed to provide all the necessary direct contact information to Mauritius, and also offered to provide "practical support" for Mauritius' participation in the 5th plenary GI meeting. ¶4. CDA added that combating terrorism and the proliferation of nuclear devices is important for this Administration and referred to an Obama administration statement on nuclear proliferation outlined on the new White House official site, www.whitehouse.gov. She also pointed out that the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism presented an opportunity for Mauritius to play a leading role in building awareness on CT and anti-proliferation issues in the region. Both the FORMIN and Ambassador Cure seemed receptive to the idea. (NOTE: This plenary meeting represents the first opportunity for Mauritius to participate in a GI activity since agreeing to become a partner. End of Note.). BLASER