PSI: INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN REGIONAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 019681

SIPDIS
PLEASE PASS TO POL AND FBI LEGATT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL KNNP ZR
SUBJECT: PSI: INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN REGIONAL
PROLIFERATION SECURITY INITIATIVE (PSI)
COUNTERPROLIFERATION WORKSHOP JULY 14-16, 2009


1. This is an action request. See paragraphs 9 and 11 below.


2. Summary: The FBI plans to host a Regional Proliferation
Security Initiative (PSI) Counterproliferation Workshop July
14-16, 2009 at the International Law Enforcement Academy
(ILEA) in Budapest, Hungary for government experts/action
officers from PSI-endorsing states in the Middle East and
Maghreb regions. The purpose of this cable is to inform
Embassies about the upcoming workshop, invite countries to
participate, and obtain help identifying and coordinating the
participation of host government participants in the
workshop. End Summary.

Background


3. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),Weapons of
Mass Destruction Directorate (WMDD),in coordination with the
Office of Secretary of Defense (Policy) and Department of
State (ISN/CPI),proposes to provide a regional PSI
Counterproliferation Workshop the week of July 13-17, 2009 at
the ILEA in Budapest, Hungary for government experts/action
officers from PSI-endorsing states in the Middle East and
Maghreb regions (all action addressees).


4. The aim of the workshop is to enhance the knowledge and
capabilities available to participating countries so that
they can participate more robustly in PSI activities,
especially real-world interdictions. Participants are
expected to leave the workshop with an increased
understanding of interdiction-related challenges and
solutions, which will assist them in developing the
operational capabilities and national coordination structures
critical to carrying out interdictions of
proliferation-related shipments.


5. The PSI Model National Response Plan, provided to invitee
countries at the PSI Fifth Anniversary in May 2008, will
serve as a basis for the workshop. Subject matter experts
from various PSI Operational Expert Group (OEG) countries
will also participate as presenters, providing insights based
on their own country's real-world interdiction experiences.
The workshop will culminate in a table-top exercise.


6. The Regional PSI Counterproliferation Workshop will not
require financial support from U.S. embassies, as logistical
arrangements (travel, lodging and most meals) for this
workshop will be made and funded by the FBI through
contracted support. The workshop will be conducted at the
ILEA in Budapest, Hungary. We urge participants to check
applicable visa requirements for official travel to Hungary.
They must make appropriate arrangements directly with the
responsible Hungarian diplomatic mission or consular post for
their country.


7. The workshop will accommodate an inter-ministerial
delegation of up to six government representatives from each
of 12 countries at the O-4 to O-6 military rank and civilian
equivalent. Invited governments are requested to send
delegations representing multiple agencies and relevant areas
of expertise (international and customs law, operational
intelligence, law enforcement and customs operations, border
security, international trade and finance, exercise planning,
and nonproliferation policy/diplomacy).


8. The working language for the workshop is English.
Invited countries may wish to include an interpreter as part
of their delegation, if needed. Copies of the PSI Model
National Response Plan, which forms the basis of the workshop
agenda, will be made available in Arabic.

Action Requests


9. Posts are requested to:

STATE 00019681 002 OF 003

SUBJECT: PSI: INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN REGIONAL
PROLIFERATION SECURITY INITIATIVE (PSI)
COUNTERPROLIFERATION WORKSHOP JULY 14-16, 20
1) Extend an invitation to the PSI workshop to host
governments, using the points below;
2) Confirm acceptance of the PSI Workshop no later than May
4, 2009;
3) Identify and help coordinate the participation of up to
six (6) representatives from each country;
4) Provide lists of proposed participants for the workshop to
the FBI POC not later than May 18, 2009, along with a
designated post or primary government POC for each country
delegation. Dates and location have already been accepted by
the ILEA in Budapest, Hungary.
5) Ensure completion of human rights vetting on the selected
participants in accordance with Leahy amendment guidelines.
The FBI team also invites FBI LEGAT Section (control officer)
to attend the workshop, and will entertain proposals for
another U.S. Embassy staff to attend the workshop


10. NOTE FOR EMBASSY Budapest: Further information
regarding possible GOH level of participation in the workshop
will be provided septel. Embassy recommendations are welcome.

Points of Contact


11. Department of State (ISN/CPI) point of contact is Carlos
Guzman (guzmancs@state.gov, 202-647-6320); the OSD(P) point
of contact is Beth Flores (beth.flores@osd.mil,
703-692-0147); and the FBI PSI Workshop Coordinator and point
of contact is Janet Thomas (202-615-3012,
Janet.Thomas@ic.fbi.gov). FBI POC will be the main POC for
coordination of logistics information between Post and
Workshop contracted support. FBI POC has contracted with
CUBIC Corporation to coordinate logistics arrangements for
air transportation, lodging, and ground transportation in
Hungary for participants. FBI POC will coordinate with post
LEGAT and contracted support for all logistical arrangements,
necessary fund transfers, and reimbursements for ground
transportation in Hungary. Please slug responses to ISN/CPI,
OSD(P),and to FBI/WMDD Counterproliferation Operations Unit.
Embassies' prompt action on this request is greatly
appreciated.

Invitation Talking Points


12. Posts are requested to draw on the following points and
invite representatives of host government to participate in
this PSI workshop. Posts may also provide the points in
writing under appropriate cover.

BEGIN POINTS:

-- The USG invites (Fill in Country) to participate in a
Regional Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)
Counterproliferation Workshop. This workshop is offered by
the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),Weapons of Mass
Destruction Directorate (WMDD),in coordination with the
Office of the Secretary of Defense (Policy),and the
Department of State's Office of Counterproliferation
Initiatives (ISN/CPI).

-- The workshop will be conducted at the International Law
Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Budapest, Hungary July 14-16,
2009 for government experts and/or action officers from
PSI-endorsing states in the Middle East and Maghreb region.

-- The primary objective of the Regional PSI
Counterproliferation Workshop is to enhance the knowledge and
capabilities of PSI partners so that they can participate
more robustly in PSI activities, including real-world
interdictions. The workshop will provide participants with
an increased understanding of interdiction-related problems
and solutions, which will assist them in developing the
operational capabilities and national coordination structures
critical to carrying out interdictions of
proliferation-related shipments.

-- The PSI Model National Response Plan will serve as a basis
for the workshop. Subject matter experts from Operational
Experts Group (OEG) countries will also serve as presenters,
providing real-world insights to help attendees strengthen

STATE 00019681 003 OF 003

SUBJECT: PSI: INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN REGIONAL
PROLIFERATION SECURITY INITIATIVE (PSI)
COUNTERPROLIFERATION WORKSHOP JULY 14-16, 20
their own national coordination structures to support PSI
interdictions.

-- The three-day workshop will review the PSI Statement of
Interdiction Principles and discuss the development of
national coordination structures to support interdiction
operations. It will also explore operational and legal
perspectives on interdiction; share insights from industry
partners; introduce tools and "lessons learned" developed
through the Operational Experts Group (OEG) process; and
review the PSI exercise program. Operational topics covered
will include conducting interdictions in the maritime, air,
and land domains; conducting in-port inspections; and
information-sharing and intelligence challenges. The
workshop will culminate in a table-top exercise.

-- The workshop is designed for up to 80 participants from
Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar,
Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, the UAE, and Yemen (about six per
country). We would like your government to select experts at
the O-4 to O-6 military rank and civilian equivalents
representing multiple agencies (international and customs
law, operational intelligence, law enforcement and customs
operations, border security, international trade and finance,
exercise planning, and nonproliferation policy/diplomacy).
All delegates should have a working level proficiency in
English, as no interpretation will be provided due to the
size of the proceedings; however, the U.S. will be able to
fund travel and lodging for up to one interpreter as a member
of each delegation to assist if needed.

-- There will be no registration fee for participants. This
opportunity will be provided at U.S. Government expense to
include economy fare air travel, airport transfers,
hotel/lodging, and most meals. No additional stipend for
meals or incidental expenses will be provided.

-- The USG will arrange for participants' travel to Budapest
on July 12 or 13, and return on July 17 or 18.

-- Participants will be responsible for obtaining any
necessary visas for travel.

END POINTS.
CLINTON