PSI: INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN REGIONAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 071183 SIPDIS PLEASE PASS TO FBI LEGATT AND POL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL KNNP XB XV XC XD SUBJECT: PSI: INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN REGIONAL PROLIFERATION SECURITY INITIATIVE (PSI) COUNTERPROLIFERATION WORKSHOP SEPTEMBER 15-17, 2009 ¶1. This is an action request. See paragraphs 11 and 12 below. ¶2. Summary: The USG plans to host a Regional Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Counterproliferation Workshop September 15-17, 2009 in Sydney, Australia for government experts/action officers from PSI-endorsing states in the Asia-Pacific region. 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 attendees of 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), Department of State (ISN/CPI),and the Government of Australia (GOA) proposes to provide a regional PSI Counterproliferation Workshop the week of September 14-18, 2009 in Sydney, Australia for government experts/action officers from PSI-endorsing states in the Asia-Pacific region (all action addressees). ¶4. The aim of the workshop is to enhance the knowledge and capabilities of 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 WMD proliferation-related shipments. ¶5. The PSI Model National Response Plan, provided to invitee countries at the PSI Fifth Anniversary in May 2008 and other PSI events since, 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. We urge participants to check applicable visa requirements for official travel to Australia. They must make appropriate arrangements directly with the responsible Australian 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 the ten invited countries at the senior action officer, deputy director or office director level (O-4 to O-6 military rank equivalent). Invited governments are requested to send diverse delegations representing multiple agencies and relevant areas of expertise (international and customs law, operational intelligence, law enforcement and customs operations including investigations, border patrol and security, international trade and finance, military operations and 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. E-copies of STATE 00071183 002 OF 003 SUBJECT: PSI: INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN REGIONAL PROLIFERATION SECURITY INITIATIVE (PSI) COUNTERPROLIFERATION WORKSHOP SEPTEMBER 15-17, 20 the PSI Model National Response Plan, which forms the basis of the workshop agenda, are available in advance upon request. ¶9. The PSI Workshop in Sydney is one of several capacity-building opportunities available to PSI partners and will provide useful insights for organizing attending governments for enhanced participation in the PSI. The concept for this workshop emerged out of the Washington Declaration (adopted by PSI partners at the PSI 5th Anniversary High-Level Political meeting in Washington, May 2008) to strengthen and emphasize the regional focus and dimensions of PSI activities. ¶10. For Embassies Canberra, Wellington, Singapore, and Tokyo. Post should inform appropriate officials that they are welcome to use the points in the non-paper in paragraph 13 to reach out invited Asia-Pacific PSI countries and encourage them to participate in the PSI Workshop. Action Requests ¶11. Posts are requested to: 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 August 7, 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 August 10, 2009, along with a designated post or primary government POC for each country delegation. Dates and location have already been coordinated with Australian Government. 5) To facilitate coordination and purchasing of airfare, a copy of the identification section of their passport should be provided to LEGAT. 6) 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. Points of Contact ¶12. 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, 703-692-8248); 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 Australia for participants. FBI POC will coordinate with post or regional LEGAT and contracted support for all logistical arrangements, necessary fund transfers, and reimbursements for ground transportation in Australia. 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 ¶13. 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: STATE 00071183 003 OF 003 -- 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),the Department of State's Office of Counterproliferation Initiatives (ISN/CPI), and the Government of Australia. -- The workshop will be conducted in Sydney, Australia on September 15-17, 2009 for government experts and/or action officers from PSI-endorsing states in the Asia-Pacific 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 WMD 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 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 Brunei, Cambodia, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Vanuatu (up to six per country). We would like your government to select experts at the senior action officer, deputy director or office director level (O-4 to O-6 military rank equivalent) 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, breakfast and lunch, and daily flat rate allowance to cover dinner/incidentals in Sidney. -- The USG will arrange for participants' travel to Sydney on September 13 or 14, and return on September 18 or 19. -- Participants will be responsible for obtaining any necessary visas for travel. END POINTS. CLINTON