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