GICNT: U.S. CONFIRMS SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL JUNE 2010

UNCLAS STATE 121106 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: IS PARM PREL PTER RS US KGIC SUBJECT: GICNT: U.S. CONFIRMS SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL JUNE 2010 LEGAL FRAMEWORKS AND FORENSICS WORKSHOP REF: TEL AVIV 2420 ¶1. This is an action request for Embassy Tel Aviv. Please see paragraph 3. SUMMARY -------------- ¶2. The United States supports the Government of Israel,s (GOI) request to host a Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) workshop on legal frameworks and forensics to combat nuclear and radiological terror in Jerusalem on June 7-8, 2010. The U.S. has discussed with Russian MFA staff (Russian GICNT Co-Chair) who are also in support of this activity. The Co-Chairs look forward to additional details from Israel on the planned agenda and goals of the workshop. OBJECTIVES -------------- ¶3. Department requests Post to inform appropriate GOI officials of the following: --Thank GOI for its active role in the GICNT and willingness to host activities that strengthen the partnership. --Confirm U.S. support for the GOI,s proposed GICNT workshop on legal frameworks and forensics to combat nuclear and radiological terror, scheduled for June 7-8, 2010 in Jerusalem, noting that the U.S. has discussed this with the Russian GICNT Co-Chair. --Request the GOI to provide details on the planned agenda and goals of the workshop to the Co-Chairs as soon as they are available. --Welcome an Israeli presentation on this proposed workshop at the January 19, 2010 Exercise Planning Group. REPORTING DEADLINES -------------- ¶4. Department requests that Post reports GOI,s response by December 2, 2009. BACKGROUND -------------- ¶5. On October 30, the GOI proposed holding a workshop on legal frameworks and forensics to combat nuclear and radiological terror for GICNT partners on June 7-8, 2010. The GOI requested confirmation from Co-Chairs prior to beginning planning (Reftel). ¶6. Background on the GICNT: The GICNT was launched in July ¶2006. Its mission is to strengthen international cooperation and collaboration to build partners, individual and collective capacity to combat the threat of nuclear terrorism. The United States and the Russian Federation co-chair the GICNT. GICNT partners are committed to a set of principles that encompass a broad range of deterrence, prevention, detection, and response objectives. Through multilateral activities and exercises, partners share best practices and lessons learned, particularly with regional neighbors, in order to strengthen both individual and collective capabilities to combat the threat of nuclear terrorism. To date, partners have conducted over thirty multilateral activities and five senior-level GICNT meetings, resulting in strengthened policies, enhanced information sharing techniques, and greater partner nation transparency and collaboration. ¶7. President Obama has called for the Global Initiative to become a &durable international institution8 (Prague speech, April 2009). Both the United States and Russia welcome the expansion and strengthening of the Global Initiative and are currently taking steps to enhance implementation of the Initiative. There are now 76 partners in the Global Initiative and four official observers: the European Union (EU),International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL),and the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC). POINT OF CONTACT -------------- ¶8. The Department greatly appreciates Post,s assistance. All cables associated with the GICNT should be slugged to the Department for ISN/WMDT and the relevant regional bureaus. E-mails regarding the GICNT may be sent to . CLINTON