SOUTHEAST EUROPE REGIONAL INITIATIVE ON

UNCLAS STATE 002919 SENSITIVE SIPDIS PASS TO DEPUTY POLAD COL CRAIG CROXTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL ZB ZL SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST EUROPE REGIONAL INITIATIVE ON CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS AND MUNITIONS REF: 2008 CDRUSEUCOM 12010907 The Department of State supports the proposal in reftel and is moving forward with plans to establish a regional initiative to address the destabilizing threats from excess or unstable stockpiles of conventional weapons and munitions. The goal is to establish a proactive, coordinated approach to this real-world challenge. The Department is coordinating internally and working closely with the Department of Defense. Washington is collaborating with Allies and partners, international organizations with relevant experience and capacity, and regional countries. The initial goal will be a conference to be held in the region (possibly in Croatia) in the second half of May 2009. Critical to the success of this effort is close and routine coordination between Washington and U.S. European Command (EUCOM). The primary Department point of contact for this initiative in the will be the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the Bureau of Political Military Affairs (PM/WRA). This office will coordinate with EUCOM headquarters in order to ensure maintenance of effective communications. A list of suggested countries to invite, notional agenda, available resources, and logistical information on dates and venue will follow septel. RICE