VZCZCXYZ0007
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #9681 2061423
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 241418Z JUL 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY NASSAU IMMEDIATE 3320

UNCLAS STATE 079681 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KNNP KTIA EWWT PHSA PARM PREL MARR BF
SUBJECT: PSI SHIPBOARDING AGREEMENT WITH THE BAHAMAS, 
AUTHORITY TO SIGN 
 
REF: A. NASSAU 00471 
     ¶B. NASSAU 00359 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND:  Ref A reports the approval by 
the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas (GCOB) of a 
bilateral reciprocal Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) 
shipboarding agreement negotiated in Nassau April 30-May 1, 
2008 (ref B).  The Department has received interagency 
approval for the United States to sign the agreement pursuant 
to C-175 authority previously granted. 
 
¶2.  OBJECTIVE AND ACTION REQUESTS:  Washington understands 
that the GCOB wishes to have the agreement signed in Nassau. 
WHA Bureau Deputy Assistant Secretary Kirsten Madison plans 
to travel to Post to sign the agreement, the final text of 
which was provided electronically to Post on July 24, 2008. 
Washington concurs with arranging a signing ceremony in 
Nassau on August 11 or 12, depending on WHA DAS Madison's 
travel schedule, which her office will coordinate with Post. 
Washington understands that the GCOB will prepare its text of 
the agreement.  Post is requested to work with Treaty Affairs 
(L/T) to ensure that both copies of the agreement, which will 
be only in English, are identical except for the alternat. 
 
¶3.  ACTION REQUESTS, CONTINUED:  Upon signature of the 
agreement, Post is requested to inform Washington via a cable 
marked for the attention of L/T, L/OES, WHA/CAR, and ISN/CPI. 
 Post is further requested to forward by pouch or overnight 
courier the signed original U.S. text of the agreement to the 
Office of the Assistant Legal Adviser for Treaty Affairs 
(L/T, room 5420 HST, attn:  Tom Malionek), timed for arrival 
in L/T no later than 20 days after signature in accordance 
with 22 CFR 181.5(a). 
 
¶4.  ENTRY INTO FORCE:  Article 17 of the agreement provides 
that the agreement shall enter into force upon an exchange of 
notes indicating that the necessary internal procedures of 
each Party have been completed.  Washington understands that 
parliamentary approval of the signed agreement will be 
necessary for the Bahamas.  Post is advised that U.S. Senate 
advice and consent is not/not required.  In due course 
following signature of the agreement, Department will provide 
Post the text of the U.S. diplomatic note called for by 
Article 17 of the agreement. 
 
¶5.  POINTS OF CONTACT:  Questions may be directed to ISN/CPI 
(Jane Purcell, 202-647-6186) and/or L/OES (Ash Roach, 
202-647-1646).  Questions regarding preparation of the texts 
or conduct of the signing ceremony may be directed to L/T 
(Tom Malionek, 202-647-1336). 
RICE