VZCZCXYZ0031
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #1399 2111429
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 291424Z JUL 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON IMMEDIATE 5716

UNCLAS STATE 081399 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL NZ
SUBJECT: T LETTER OF THANKS TO NEW ZEALAND DEPUTY 
SECRETARY FORSYTH FOR PSI 5TH ANNIVERSARY PRESENTATION 
 
REF: STATE 023570 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND:  Caroline Forsyth, New Zealand 
Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs, gave a presentation at 
the Senior-Level Meeting for all states endorsing the 
Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), held May 28, 2008, 
in Washington, DC, on the occasion of the PSI's Fifth 
Anniversary.  Forsyth's presentation covered improving 
international cooperation for more rapid interdiction action, 
during the panel on ways to continue strengthening the PSI. 
The PSI Senior-Level Meeting was attended by representatives 
of 85 countries, almost all of the 92 states that have 
endorsed the PSI. 
 
¶2.  ACTION REQUESTED:  Embassy is requested to deliver under 
appropriate cover the following letter from Acting Under 
Secretary John Rood to Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs 
Caroline Forsyth, thanking her for her presentation at the 
PSI Fifth Anniversary Senior-Level Meeting.  The State 
Department does not plan to release the text of this letter 
but has no objection if the Government of New Zealand wishes 
to do so.  There will be no signed original. 
 
¶3.  Begin text of letter: 
 
Dear Ms. Forsyth: 
 
On behalf of the U.S. Government, I want to thank you for 
your presentation on improving international cooperation for 
more rapid interdiction action, in the panel on ways to 
continue strengthening the Proliferation Security Initiative 
(PSI) at the May 28, 2008 Senior-Level Meeting for PSI 
participants in Washington DC.  Your presentation made an 
important contribution to the panel and the meeting overall. 
We especially appreciate New Zealand's initiative to develop 
the PSI Model National Response Plan and distribute it to 
participating countries during the PSI 5th Anniversary. 
 
I believe the PSI Fifth Anniversary Senior-Level Meeting was 
very successful in reaffirming the strong commitment of the 
PSI partner states to respond to the WMD proliferation 
challenge.  It also provided the participants from 85 
countries an opportunity to strengthen communication with one 
another.  We hope this event will result in expanded 
participation in PSI activities, particularly on a regional 
basis.  The United States recognizes that New Zealand plays a 
significant role in the PSI, and we greatly appreciate your 
Government's continued efforts and contributions to advancing 
the PSI goals. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
John C. Rood 
Acting Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and 
International Security 
 
End text of letter. 
 
¶4.  POINTS OF CONTACT:  Washington points of contact on the 
PSI are Jane Purcell (e-mail: PurcelJa@state.gov, 
202-647-6186); and Carlos Guzman (e-mail: GuzmanCS@state.gov, 
202-647-6320).  Department appreciates Post's assistance. 
RICE