ENCOURAGING HOST GOVERNMENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN

UNCLAS STATE 058377 SIPDIS COLOMBO FOR WITMER DHAKA FOR HARRIS KABUL FOR FETTY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL PTER XD SUBJECT: ENCOURAGING HOST GOVERNMENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN SOUTH ASIA UNSCR 1540 WORKSHOP REF: STATE 13976 ¶1. This is an urgent action request. Please see para. 3. ¶2. The Government of Sri Lanka is hosting a South Asia Workshop on Implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540, scheduled to take place June 23-25 in Colombo (reftel). The governments of Afghanistan, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka have confirmed their attendance orally, but have still not completed official registration. We understand the Indian Government has informed us that they will be represented by the Indian High Commission in Colombo. Despite posts' efforts, Bangladeshi and Bhutanese MFAs have not responded. Timing is critical. Airfare to this USG-funded workshop becomes more expensive with each passing day. ¶3. Action request: Posts are requested to re-approach host governments soonest to urge formal registration in the Workshop. Invitees may register at https://1540.sandia.gov/srilanka2009. ¶4. Washington greatly appreciates Posts' assistance in supporting this important workshop. The 2006 and 2008 Committee reports, as well as general information, are available at http://www.un.org/sc/1540. ¶5. Details on U.S. implementation efforts are available on the intranet at http://t.state.gov/t/isn/cpi/scr1540/scr1540. htm. Please contact reftel POCs for any necessary further background information or argumentation to meet our objectives. CLINTON