VZCZCXRO6210
PP RUEHAST RUEHDBU RUEHMJ
DE RUEHC #6157/01 3181723
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 141705Z NOV 07
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 STATE 156157 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL
SUBJECT: PSI: TALKING POINTS FOR OCTOBER 2007 RHODES, 
GREECE OPERATIONAL EXPERTS GROUP (OEG) MEETING 
 
REF: A. STATE 156111 
 
     ¶B. STATE 156113 
 
SUMMARY 
 
¶1.  REFTELS A or B (different address groups) reported on the 
latest Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Operational 
Experts Group (OEG) meeting hosted by the Government of 
Greece on October 2-4, 2007 in Rhodes, Greece.  Although 
participation in these meetings is limited (currently 20 
countries) to hold streamlined discussions, the work of these 
meetings is undertaken on behalf of all PSI participants 
(i.e., the more than 85 countries that have endorsed the PSI 
Statement of Interdiction Principles).  Therefore, we would 
like to continue to share key insights from the latest 
meeting with those countries that have endorsed the PSI, do 
not have the opportunity to attend the Operational Experts 
Group (OEG) meetings, and with which we want to deepen our 
operational cooperation. 
 
¶2. Posts are requested to provide a summary of the October 
2007 OEG meeting results to host government officials from 
relevant agencies such as Ministries of Defense, Law 
Enforcement Agencies (including Customs, Border Guards, 
etc.), and Intelligence Agencies.  END SUMMARY 
 
OBJECTIVE 
 
¶3.  To inform PSI-endorsing states of the latest developments 
in PSI resulting from the October 2-4, 2007 PSI OEG meeting 
held in Rhodes, Greece.  Post may draw from the background 
paragraph, which may be left as a nonpaper. Additional 
meeting materials for posts' reference only can be provided 
by State/ISN/CPI (Carlos Guzman) upon request 
(GuzmanCS@state.gov). 
 
REPORTING DEADLINE:  Not applicable. 
 
BACKGROUND 
 
¶4.  BEGIN NON-PAPER ON THE OCTOBER 2007 PSI OEG MEETING 
HOSTED BY GREECE: 
 
-- The Government of Greece hosted the fifteenth PSI 
Operational Experts Group (OEG) meeting on October 2-4, 2007. 
 These meetings currently include delegates from 20 PSI 
partners who are establishing a PSI exercise program and 
 
STATE 00156157  002 OF 004 
 
 
developing basic operational concepts in support of the 
Initiative and on behalf of the more than 85 PSI participants. 
 
-- This meeting covered a broad range of topics, including 
UNSCRs 1718/1737/1747, disposition and liability, maritime, 
ground and air interdictions, outreach, proliferation 
financing, a Model PSI National Response Plan, and PSI 
exercises. 
 
-- UNSCRs.  OEG participants discussed how a commitment to 
PSI is consistent with UNSCRs such as 1540, 1718, 1737 and 
¶1747.  Participants shared viewed on steps they were taking 
to implement the UNSCR provisions. 
 
--  USE OF INTELLIGENCE AS EVIDENCE.  The UK delivered a 
presentation on the use of intelligence as evidence in legal 
proceedings, illustrating the need for close collaboration 
between the intelligence and law enforcement communities. The 
presentation underscored the importance of parallel case 
construction in achieving the dual ends of protecting 
intelligence sources and prosecuting claims. 
 
-- SUA PROTOCOLS. Several OEG participants reported on the 
status of ratifying the 2005 Protocols to the Convention on 
the Suppression of Unlawful Acts at Sea (SUA).  The US 
reported that the Protocols were moving forward.  On October 
1, the White House transmitted the implementing legislation 
to the Senate for review. 
 
-- MARITIME INTERDICTION.  In the area of maritime 
interdiction, PSI Operational Experts focused for the first 
time on bunkering, maritime choke points and hubs, noting the 
particular challenges presented by these nodes along the 
shipping supply chain in coastal states. 
 
-- GROUND AND AIR INTERDICTIONS.  In the area of ground and 
air interdiction, participants shared information on 
different programs that provide countries with a layered 
defense against shipments of proliferation concern. 
Additionally, Australia updated the OEG on a proposal before 
the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) that 
would criminalize the transport of dangerous materials aboard 
aircraft. OEG partners received an updated matrix that 
consolidates PSI countries' legal authorities with respect to 
granting or denying overflight rights and the 
processes/procedures involved. 
 
-- OUTREACH MEETINGS.  New Zealand reported on the results of 
the Asia-Pacific Outreach Forum held in March 2007 following 
the last OEG. Poland updated OEG partners on the extent of 
its outreach activities in Europe and the Gulf Region. 
Finally, PSI countries agreed to find ways to increase the 
 
STATE 00156157  003 OF 004 
 
 
capabilities and participation levels of non-OEG 
PSI-endorsing countries. 
 
 
-- PROLIFERATION FINANCE.  Canada provided a back-brief on 
the issues discussed at two recent Financial Action Task 
Force (FATF) meetings in Ottawa (May 3-4) and Rome (September 
17-18), including the issuance of non-binding guidance on 
effective implementation of UNSCR prohibitions and broader 
financial prohibitions. Additionally, Canada informed 
partners of a FATF project on typologies that will eventually 
lead to guidance on broader financial prohibitions.  OEG 
countries agreed to include FATF updates in subsequent OEG 
meetings for informational purposes. 
 
-- MODEL PSI NATIONAL RESPONSE PLAN. The OEG discussed the 
latest version of a Model PSI National Response Plan that can 
be used to help PSI countries assess how they can organize 
themselves, what they need to improve their internal 
capabilities to implement PSI and conduct interdictions, or 
what issues they would have to address in order to contribute 
to PSI activities. This product can be used in outreach 
efforts. 
 
-- PSI EXERCISES.  The OEG reviewed the schedule of upcoming 
PSI exercises.  Japan provided an update on planning for 
maritime interdiction exercise "Pacific Shield" that was 
planned for October 13-16, almost immediately following the 
OEG in Rhodes. Poland invited partners to participate in the 
exercise "Eastern Shield", a multi-modal exercise held in 
Ukraine from October 29-31, 2007. The exercise was organized 
jointly by Poland, Ukraine and Romania with the participation 
of other Black Sea countries.  France will host a maritime 
interdiction exercise "Guistir" in Djibouti on March 11-12, 
¶2008. New Zealand announced plans to host maritime 
interdiction exercise "Maru" on September 15-19, 2008. 
 
-- CAPACITY BUILDING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.  The US 
presented the final version of a WMD and Missile Commodity 
Technical Reference Manual that can assist anyone who reviews 
shipping documentation or export licenses to make assessments 
on the controllability of an export (for example, industry, 
law enforcement officials, and licensing review officials). 
OEG countries were encouraged to adapt the manual to the 
specifics of their own domestic export control systems. 
 
-- The UK will host the next PSI OEG meeting in London on 
February 4-6, 2008. 
 
-- The US will host an event in Washington in May/June 2008 
for all PSI endorsing countries to commemorate the fifth 
anniversary of PSI. 
 
STATE 00156157  004 OF 004 
 
 
END NON-PAPER ON THE OCTOBER 2007 PSI OEG MEETING 
HOSTED BY GREECE. 
 
POINTS OF CONTACT 
 
¶5.  Please slug responses for OSD GSA (Beth Flores) and 
State/ISN/CPI (Carlos Guzman). USG POC for PSI Operational 
Experts Group issues is OSD/GSA: Beth Flores. USG POC for 
operational legal matters is Gary Sharp, DOD/OGC. USG POC for 
PSI policy issues is Carlos Guzman, State/ISN/CPI. 
RICE