PSI: MAY 2009 PSI OPERATIONAL EXPERTS GROUP AND

UNCLAS STATE 026174 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL SUBJECT: PSI: MAY 2009 PSI OPERATIONAL EXPERTS GROUP AND OUTREACH MEETINGS - OFFICIAL INVITATION TO WESTERN HEMISPHERE PSI COUNTRIES REF: 08 STATE 132842 OBJECTIVES AND ACTION REQUESTS -------------- ¶1. As promised in REFTEL, below is the official U.S. invitation to the events the U.S. will host May 12-14 in Miami for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Operational Experts Group (OEG) and Outreach meetings. ¶2. Since this OEG meeting will have a Western Hemisphere focus, the U.S. is inviting all PSI-endorsing countries from the Western Hemisphere to attend (Belize, Chile, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, and The Bahamas),along with the 20 countries that regularly participate in the OEG (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Turkey, UK, U.S.). Any other countries in the Western Hemisphere that endorse the PSI before the meeting will also be welcome to attend the OEG meeting. ¶3. Addressees are requested to deliver the invitation letter under appropriate letterhead to appropriate government officials in host government and urge host government's participation in the PSI OEG and Outreach Meetings. No original will be sent. A separate invitation letter will be sent to regular OEG participants. Posts are encouraged to distribute the information to host government ministries involved in international security-related decision-making, nonproliferation, and export controls (to include international and customs law, operational intelligence, law enforcement and customs operations, border security, international trade and finance, exercise planning, and policy/diplomacy communities). NOTE: Typically, PSI OEG delegations are comprised of 3-8 officials led by a one-star equivalent government official from the Ministry of Defense (MOD) or Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). ¶4. Posts are also requested to be prepared to assist participants from capitals in obtaining any required U.S. visas on an expedited basis. If any delegates from host government indicate they cannot complete registration using the website, please contact the POCs below and we will e-mail the registration forms and instructions for Post to pass to host government. REPORTING DEADLINE AND POC -------------- ¶5. Addressees are requested to deliver the documents below to host governments by March 23, and report delivery by March 27. E-mail responses are acceptable. Points of contact are Carlos Guzman (202-647-6320), GuzmanCS@state.sgov.gov and Beth Flores (703-692-0147), beth.flores@osd.(smil).mil for matters pertaining to the OEG agenda and format, and Ms. Neoni Mattox (703-692-0103; neoni.mattox.ctr@osd.mil) for all logistical and administrative matters. The Department greatly appreciates Embassies' assistance. INVITATION LETTER -------------- ¶6. Begin text of PSI invitation letter from OSD Assistant Secretary Of Defense Joseph Benkert: Dear Colleague: The United States will host the next Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Operational Experts Group (OEG) meeting on May 12 - 13, 2009, in Miami, Florida. This meeting will explore the regional dimensions of the weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferation challenge and discuss practical steps that Western Hemisphere governments can take to stop shipments of illicit WMD and missile-related material. As a PSI partner in the Western Hemisphere, your government is invited to attend this meeting, along with PSI partners from other regions of the world. The Miami OEG meeting will focus on operational issues, experimenting with a new small-group discussion format to analyze some of the challenges involved in undertaking PSI-related interdictions. Participation in this meeting and other PSI capacity-building activities can assist countries with strengthening their interagency decision-making process to stop illicit trafficking and fortifying their economic systems and assets (such as ports, industries, etc.) against exploitation by illicit traffickers of WMD and related items. On May 14, the United States will host an Outreach meeting for countries in the Western Hemisphere that have not endorsed the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles to learn more about the PSI. All PSI partner countries are also invited to attend the Outreach meeting. An evening reception for delegates to both meetings will take place on May 13. The Outreach meeting will provide an opportunity for governments to learn more about the PSI through discussions with colleagues from the Western Hemisphere and around the world. Countries are encouraged to send interagency delegations consisting of officials interested in the issues reflected in the OEG agenda. Typically, PSI OEG delegations are comprised of 3-8 officials led by a one-star equivalent government official from the Ministry of Defense (MOD) or Foreign Affairs (MFA). Professionals in the following areas would have expertise to contribute to OEG discussions: nonproliferation policy, international law, including air and maritime law, customs law and operations, export controls, operational intelligence, law enforcement and investigation, border security, tracking illicit finance, and exercise planning. The OEG meeting will take place at the J.W. Marriott Hotel Miami, 1109 Brickell Avenue, Miami, Florida. Delegates are requested to stay at this hotel, where we have blocked rooms at a special rate (USD $121 per night) for all meeting participants during the period from May 11-15. The blocked rooms will be held only until April 3, after which the special rate and/or rooms may no longer be available. We encourage participants to contact the hotel before April 3. We have set up a dedicated PSI OEG website with important details about the meeting, including instructions necessary for reserving hotel rooms at the special rate. Please visit the website as soon as possible to register for the conference and reserve hotel rooms. All delegates are encouraged to check the website often, as it will be used to post the latest agendas and other materials related to the meeting. Website: http://www.reddelasamericas.net/scj5/conferen ces/ Click on 'Start Conference Manager' button, and then log on using Conference ID: PSI-OEG-2009 The points of contact are Ms. Beth Flores (703-692-0147; Beth.Flores@osd.mil) and CDR Carlos Guzman (202-647-6320; GuzmanCS@state.gov) for matters pertaining to the OEG agenda and format and Ms. Neoni Mattox (703-692-0103; neoni.mattox.ctr@osd.mil) for all logistical and administrative matters. We look forward to seeing your delegation in Miami and deepening our collaboration on this issue of great importance and common concern. Sincerely, Joseph A. Benkert LOGISTICAL INFORMATION -------------- ¶7. Begin text of logistical information sheet for the PSI OEG and Outreach meetings: Registration: To register for the Miami OEG and Outreach meetings please visit the official website: http://www.reddelasamericas.net/scj5/conferen ces/ Click on the 'Start Conference Manager' button, and then log on using the following OEG Conference ID: PSI-OEG-2009 If you cannot access the PSI OEG meeting website, contact your local U.S. Embassy, provide an email address or FAX number and the registration forms can be sent to you. There is no fee for these events. Visas: Please submit the required U.S. visa application form to your local U.S. Embassy as early as possible. You may contact your local U.S. Embassy for guidance or assistance with visa processing. Agenda and Structure: The PSI OEG meeting will be conducted on May 12-13. The U.S. is inviting all PSI-endorsing countries from the Western Hemisphere to attend this meeting (Belize, Chile, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, and The Bahamas),along with any additional countries from the region that endorse the PSI before the meeting. The May 14 Outreach meeting will be open to PSI partners and countries from the Western Hemisphere that have not endorsed the PSI. A reception for all delegates to both meetings will take place on the evening of May 13. Event check-in will be available in the J.W. Marriott Hotel Miami beginning the afternoon of May 11. Delegation size and composition: There are no specific limitations on the size of a country's delegation. We encourage governments to send delegations that represent the ministries that are involved in international security-related decision making. Typically, PSI OEG delegations are normally comprised of 3-8 officials led by a one-star equivalent government official, from the Ministry of Defense or Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Experts in the following areas could have something to contribute to OEG discussions: international and customs law, operational intelligence, customs operations, border security, international trade and finance, exercise planning, and policy/diplomacy. Location: All PSI OEG and Outreach events will be held at the J.W. Marriott Hotel Miami, 1109 Brickell Avenue, Miami, Florida. The hotel is located approximately 9 miles from the Miami International Airport (approximately U.S. $30 one-way taxi fare). Accommodations: Delegates are encouraged to stay at the J.W. Marriott Hotel Miami, where we have blocked rooms at a special rate (USD $121 per night) for all meeting participants during the period from May 11- 15. (Those delegates wishing to extend these dates should contact the hotel directly.) The blocked rooms will be held only until April 3, after which the special rate and/or rooms may no longer be available. We encourage participants to contact the hotel before April 3. The hotel's website includes information on directions, local transportation, and local attractions: www.marriott/com/hotels/travel/ miajw-jw-marriott-hotel-miami/. Participants are responsible for their own accommodations costs. Hotel Registration: The dedicated PSI OEG website has additional and important details about the meeting, including instructions necessary for reserving hotel rooms at the special rate (see above). All delegates are encouraged to check the website often, as it will be used to post the latest agenda and other materials related to the meeting. Meals: The PSI OEG meetings will include continental breakfast, luncheon, snacks and beverages. Appetizers, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages will be served at the evening reception on May 13. Attire: The attire for the OEG and Outreach meetings is business attire. The attire for the evening reception on May 13 is "Florida casual" (e.g., casual pants and collared shirts for men, casual pants or skirts for women). Working language: The official working language during the events will be English. There will be no simultaneous interpretation services; some presentations made as part of the PSI meetings will be presented on the screen in both English and Spanish. Non-English speaking delegations may include an English-speaking interpreter if deemed necessary. Additional meeting room: A small meeting room at the hotel will be available for side meetings if requested. Arrangements can be made upon arrival or by contacting Ms. Neoni Mattox (703-692-0103 or neoni.mattox.ctr@osd.mil). Weather: Average temperatures in Miami in May are a low of 72 and high of 87 degrees F (22-31 degrees C). Rain is possible at any time, including thunderstorms. Electricity: Electricity sockets in the United States are set at 110 Volts and 60 cycles, and fit electric plugs with two flat blades, with or without a third cylindrical grounding pin. Electrical appliances from outside the United States generally need a power converter and an adaptor for use in U.S. sockets. Points of Contact: Points of contact for the PSI OEG meeting events are Carlos Guzman (202-647-6320), GuzmanCS@state.gov and Beth Flores (703-692-0147), beth.flores@osd.mil for matters pertaining to the OEG agenda and participation, and Ms. Neoni Mattox (703-692-0103; neoni.mattox.ctr@osd.mil) for all logistical and administrative matters. Agenda: Tentative agenda topics for the OEG include: - Global Proliferation Challenge and The Americas - PSI: Western Hemisphere Views - Break out group discussions among the legal, law enforcement/customs, and intelligence experts - The PSI website - PSI reports from participating countries - Interdiction case studies - PSI and UNSCR 1540 - Update on Financial Action Task Force - Upcoming PSI events Tentative agenda topics for the PSI Outreach meeting include: - Introduction to PSI - PSI Capacity-Building, including the PSI exercise program - Developing a model national response plan - PSI and UN Security Council Resolution 1540 - WMD Commodities Manual - PSI and the Law (domestic and international law; customs law) - PSI Upcoming Events Full agendas are posted on the conference website. The website should be checked often for updates. End logistical information. CLINTON