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RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 0000
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RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO PRIORITY 0000

UNCLAS STATE 026136 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MNUC PARM PHSA PREL KNNP XL XM
SUBJECT: PSI: MAY 2009 PSI OUTREACH MEETING - OFFICIAL 
INVITATION 
 
REF: 08 STATE 132722 
 
SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST 
-------------------------- 
 
¶1.  The U.S. will host a Proliferation Security 
Initiative (PSI) Operational Experts Group (OEG) 
meeting and a PSI Outreach meeting on May 12-14, 
2009 in Miami, FL.  The OEG meeting for PSI 
participating countries will take place on 
May 12-13, and the Outreach meeting for Western 
Hemisphere countries that have not endorsed the 
PSI will take place on May 14.  A reception for 
delegates to both meetings will take place the 
evening of May 13.  The OEG meeting will explore 
global and regional dimensions of the PSI and the 
WMD-related interdiction challenge, and provide 
participants with an opportunity to exchange 
ideas with international counterparts in the 
policy, operational, legal, law enforcement, 
and intelligence communities.  The purpose 
of the Outreach meeting is to provide more 
information about the PSI, share best practices 
on operational concepts of interdiction, build 
relationships between regional and global 
counterparts working issues related to 
counterproliferation, and encourage countries 
to endorse the PSI Statement of Interdiction 
Principles. 
 
¶2.  Since this OEG meeting will have a Western 
Hemisphere focus, the U.S. is inviting all PSI- 
endorsing countries from the Western Hemisphere 
to attend (Belize, Chile, El Salvador, Honduras, 
Panama, Paraguay, and The Bahamas), along with 
the 20 countries that regularly participate in 
the OEG (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Denmark, 
France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, New 
Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, 
Russia, Singapore, Spain, Turkey, UK, U.S.). 
Any other countries in the Western Hemisphere 
that endorse the PSI before the meeting will 
also be welcome to attend the OEG meeting. 
 
¶3.  Washington is seeking to ensure that countries 
in the Western Hemisphere take advantage of this 
opportunity to learn more about the PSI by 
attending the Outreach meeting on May 14. 
Additionally, and in advance of these events, 
Washington is seeking to increase the number of 
countries that endorse the PSI Statement of 
Interdiction Principles (the text of which is 
available at http://t.state.gov/t/dr/2003/ 
docid=23764.htm).  Many countries in the region 
have shown an interest in the PSI, but for various 
reasons have not yet made the decision to endorse. 
 
¶4.  WHA ACTION ADDRESSEES are requested to invite 
host governments to send a delegation to attend the 
PSI Outreach meeting.  Additionally, we wish to 
encourage host governments to endorse the PSI 
Statement of Interdiction Principles (BRIDGETOWN 
for all the countries within your purview). 
Posts also are requested to approach highest 
appropriate levels of host government and urge 
endorsement of the PSI.  In particular, please 
inform host governments that PSI endorsement is a 
condition for participation in the PSI Operational 
Experts Group Meeting (OEG) May 12-13.  Posts may 
draw from points in paragraph 8, which also may be 
left as a non-paper.  Posts should provide the 
invitation letter from ASD Benkert (paragraph 9) 
and the logistical information sheet (paragraph 10). 
No original will be sent.  Posts may also leave the 
sample diplomatic note in paragraph 11 with host 
government. 
 
¶5.  FOR EMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE:  In 2008, Haiti's MFA 
verbally declared the government's support for the PSI 
and promised to record it in a dip note to the USG. 
Haiti's Ambassador to the U.S. therefore was invited and 
participated in the PSI Fifth Anniversary Senior Level 
Meeting for PSI participating countries on May 28, 2008, 
in Washington.  We would like to invite Haiti to 
participate in the May 12-13 OEG meeting as well as the 
May 14 Outreach meeting, but we have not yet received 
the promised dip note officially endorsing the PSI 
Statement of Interdiction Principles.  We request that 
Embassy seek an official endorsement from Haiti of the 
PSI, either in the form of a dip note or a public 
announcement. 
 
¶6.  EMBASSIES BUENOS AIRES, MADRID, OTTAWA, LISBON, and 
LONDON are requested to notify host governments of U.S. 
efforts to urge Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Brazil, 
Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, 
Ecuador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, 
Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, 
St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and 
Tobago, and Uruguay to endorse the PSI, and may pass 
copies of the materials below for their information. 
Washington will also discuss possible joint outreach 
efforts with the Washington-based representatives of 
these governments. 
 
-------------------------- 
REPORTING DEADLINE AND POC 
-------------------------- 
 
¶7.  All action addressees are requested to deliver the 
documents below to host governments by March 22, and 
report delivery by March 27. Points of contact are 
Carlos Guzman (202-647-6320), GuzmanCS@state.sgov.gov 
and Beth Flores (703-692-0147), beth.flores@osd. 
(smil).mil for matters pertaining to the OEG agenda 
and format, and Ms. Neoni Mattox (703-692-0103; 
neoni.mattox.ctr@osd.mil) for all logistical and 
administrative matters.  The Department greatly 
appreciates Embassies' assistance.  Please also 
continue to report reactions as received. 
 
--------- 
NONPAPERS 
--------- 
 
¶8. Begin points/non-paper: 
 
-- In the almost six years since the inception of the 
Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), 94 countries 
from every region of the world have endorsed the PSI 
Statement of Interdiction Principles. 
 
-- As a result, the PSI has become the hallmark of 
strong nonproliferation credentials. 
 
-- As noted in the Nuclear Threat Initiative's report 
on UN Security Council Resolution 1540 implementation 
in the Americas, "while few states in the Western 
Hemisphere are of direct proliferation concern, the 
existence of well established and highly sophisticated 
human and drug trafficking networks could be exploited 
to move NBC (nuclear/biological/chemical) weapon-related 
materials."  Additionally, most Western Hemisphere 
states have industries and/or transportation features 
such as commercial seaports, which could be exploited 
by weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferators. 
 
-- The PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles does 
not entail any legal or operational obligations. 
Nonetheless, endorsement of the Statement of Principles 
provides a clear indication of a country's strong 
nonproliferation credentials, and also acts as a 
strong deterrent to proliferators seeking to abuse 
states' sovereign territory by trafficking WMD and 
missile-related materials and items. 
 
-- Endorsement of the PSI is a signal that a state 
takes its UN obligations seriously, including those 
in UNSCR 1540.  This resolution identified the 
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) as 
a threat to international peace and security.  It also 
identified cooperative efforts as one way in which 
states could implement their obligations to counter 
WMD and missile proliferation. 
 
-- Active participation in the PSI can assist countries 
with fortifying their economic systems and assets 
(such as ports, industries, etc.) against exploitation 
by illicit traffickers of WMD and related items, as 
well as other illicit materials. 
 
-- To date, the PSI partner countries have conducted 
over 36 operational interdiction training exercises 
(air, maritime, and ground) involving more than 70 
nations.  These exercises are a key element of the PSI 
in increasing the interoperability of PSI participants, 
improving interdiction decision-making processes and 
procedures, and enhancing the interdiction capacities 
of all participating states.  The PSI partner states 
continue to work together by sharing information, 
conducting exercises, and carrying out interdictions 
that improve our ability and readiness to disrupt and 
counter proliferation activities. 
 
-- We would welcome your Government's participation in 
the PSI.  By endorsing the PSI Statement of Interdiction 
Principles, your government will undertake a political 
commitment to stop WMD trafficking in a manner that is 
consistent with existing national laws and international 
legal frameworks.  Other countries that participate in 
the PSI include The Bahamas, Canada, Chile, Argentina, 
Paraguay, Panama, Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras. 
 
-- The United States will host a Proliferation Security 
Initiative (PSI) Operational Experts Group (OEG) meeting 
on May 12-13, 2009 and a PSI Outreach meeting on May 14, 
2008 in Miami, Florida.  The May 14 Outreach meeting will 
be open to countries from the Western Hemisphere that 
have not endorsed the PSI.  All Western Hemisphere states 
that have endorsed the PSI are invited to attend this 
OEG along with any additional countries from the region 
that endorses the PSI before the meeting. A reception for 
delegates to both meetings will take place on the evening 
of May 13. 
 
-- The OEG meeting on May 12-13 will explore global and 
regional dimensions of the PSI and WMD-related 
interdictions, and will provide participants with an 
opportunity to exchange ideas with international 
counterparts in the policy, operational, legal, 
law enforcement, and intelligence communities. 
 
-- The PSI OEG, a group of military, law enforcement, 
intelligence, legal, and diplomatic experts from 20 PSI 
participating states, meets regularly to develop 
operational concepts, organize the interdiction exercise 
program, share information about national legal 
authorities, and pursue cooperation with key industry 
sectors. 
 
-- We urge your government to endorse the PSI Statement 
of Interdiction Principles through a diplomatic note to 
the United States or another PSI partner state prior to 
the May 12-13 OEG Meeting, which will give you the 
opportunity to participate in the OEG meeting. 
 
-- The May 14 Outreach meeting will provide information 
on PSI operational concepts and capacity-building 
opportunities for all Western Hemisphere countries. 
It is an opportunity to build relationships and learn 
about best practices in counterproliferation from 
foreign counterparts in the region and around the world. 
Your government may wish to send representatives from 
your capital to this event.  Representatives from your 
embassy in Washington or other consular offices would 
also be welcome. 
 
End points. 
 
¶9.  Begin letter from Assistant Secretary of Defense 
Joseph A. Benkert: 
 
Dear Colleague: 
 
 The United States will host a Proliferation Security 
Initiative (PSI) Outreach meeting on May 14, 2009, in 
Miami, Florida.  Your government is invited to attend the 
meeting and an evening reception on the evening of May 13. 
 
 The Outreach meeting is an opportunity for Western 
Hemisphere governments to learn more about the PSI and 
explore the regional dimensions of the weapons of mass 
destruction (WMD) proliferation challenge with colleagues 
from the Hemisphere and around the world. 
 
 Countries that endorse the PSI Statement of 
Interdiction Principles prior to May 12 are also invited 
to attend the PSI Operational Experts Group (OEG) meeting 
on May 12-13. The OEG is a forum for government experts 
to share practical information on WMD proliferation and 
develop capabilities to interdict illicit WMD-related 
shipments. Additionally, the OEG explores interdiction 
issues in the legal, law enforcement and intelligence 
arenas and plans PSI training exercises. 
 
 The PSI Outreach meeting will take place at the J.W. 
Marriott Hotel Miami, 1109 Brickell Avenue, Miami, 
Florida.  Delegates are requested to stay at this hotel, 
where we have blocked rooms at a special rate (USD $121 
per night) for meeting participants.  The blocked rooms 
will be held only until April 3, after which the special 
rate and/or rooms may no longer be available. 
 
 We have set up a dedicated PSI Outreach website with 
important details about the meeting, including 
instructions necessary for reserving hotel rooms at 
the special rate. Please visit the website as soon as 
possible to register for the meeting, reserve hotel 
rooms, and review the agenda and related materials. 
Each delegate is encouraged to check the website 
periodically, as it will be used to post agendas and 
presentations related to the meeting. 
 
Website: http://www.reddelasamericas.net/scj5/conferen ces/ 
Click on 'Start Conference Manager' button, and then log 
on using Conference ID: PSI-OUTREACH-2009 
 
 The points of contact are Ms. Beth Flores (703-692-0147; 
Beth.Flores@osd.mil) and CDR Carlos Guzman (202-647-6320; 
GuzmanCS@state.gov) for matters pertaining to meeting 
content and Ms. Neoni Mattox (703-692-0103; 
neoni.mattox.ctr@osd.mil) for all logistical and 
administrative matters. 
 
 We look forward to seeing your delegation in Miami and 
discussing this issue of great importance and common concern. 
 
     Sincerely, 
 
     Joseph A. Benkert 
 
 
¶10.  Begin text of logistical information sheet for PSI 
Outreach meeting: 
 
Registration:  To register for the Miami OEG and Outreach 
meeting please visit the official website: 
http://www.reddelasamericas.net/scj5/conferen ces/ 
Click on the 'Start Conference Manager' button, and then 
log on using the following Outreach Conference ID: 
PSI-OUTREACH-2009 
 
If you cannot access the PSI meeting website, contact 
your local U.S. Embassy, provide an email address or 
FAX number, and the registration forms can be sent to 
you.  There is no fee for the event. 
 
Visas:  Please submit the required U.S. visa 
application form to your local U.S. Embassy as early as 
possible. You may contact your local U.S. Embassy for 
guidance or assistance with visa processing. 
 
Agenda and Structure:  The May 14 Outreach meeting will 
be open to governments from the Western Hemisphere that 
have not endorsed the PSI.  A reception for all 
delegates will take place on the evening of May 13. 
Check-in for the Outreach meeting will be available 
beginning the afternoon of May 13. 
 
Delegation Size and Composition:  We encourage 
governments to send delegations that represent the 
ministries that are involved in international 
security-related decision making. Professionals in 
the following areas would have appropriate expertise: 
international and customs law, intelligence, law 
enforcement and customs operations, border security, 
international trade and finance, exercise planning, 
and policy/diplomacy. 
 
Location:  All PSI events will be held at the J.W. 
Marriott Hotel Miami, 1109 Brickell Avenue, Miami, 
Florida. The hotel is located approximately 9 miles 
from the Miami International Airport (approximately 
U.S. $30 one-way taxi fare). 
 
Accommodations:  All delegates are encouraged to stay 
at the J.W. Marriott Hotel Miami, where we have 
blocked rooms at a special rate (USD$121 per night) 
for meeting participants during the period from May 
11 -15.  The blocked rooms will be held only until 
April 3, after which the special rate and/or rooms 
may no longer be available. We encourage participants 
to contact the hotel before April 3. The hotel's 
website includes information on directions, local 
transportation, and local attractions: 
www.marriott/com/hotels/travel/miajw-jw-marri ott- 
hotel-miami/. 
Participants are responsible for their own 
accommodation costs. 
 
Hotel Registration:  The dedicated PSI meeting website 
has important details about the meeting, including 
instructions necessary for reserving hotel rooms at 
the special rate (see above).  All delegates are 
encouraged to check the website often, as it will be 
used to post agenda updates and other materials 
related to the meeting. 
 
Meals:  The PSI meetings will include continental 
breakfast, luncheon, snacks and beverages. 
Appetizers, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages will 
be served at the evening reception on May 13. 
 
Attire:  The attire for the OEG and Outreach meetings 
is business.  The attire for the evening reception on 
May 13 is "Florida casual" (e.g., casual pants and 
collared shirts for men, casual pants or skirts for 
women). 
 
Working language:  The official working language during 
the events will be English.  There will be no 
simultaneous interpretation services provided; however, 
presentations made as part of the PSI Outreach meeting 
will be presented on the screen in both English and 
Spanish.  Non-English speaking delegations may wish to 
include an English-language interpreter if deemed 
necessary. 
 
Additional meeting room:  A small meeting room at the 
hotel will be available for side meetings if requested. 
Arrangements can be made upon arrival or by contacting 
Ms. Neoni Mattox (703-692-0103 or 
neoni.mattox.ctr@osd.mil). 
 
Weather:  Average temperatures in Miami in May are a 
low of 72 and high of 87 degrees F (22-31 degrees C). 
Rain is possible at any time, including thunderstorms. 
 
Electricity:  Electricity sockets in the United States 
are set at 110 Volts and 60 cycles, and fit electric 
plugs with two flat blades, with or without a third 
cylindrical grounding pin.  Electrical appliances 
from outside the United States generally need a power 
converter and an adaptor for use in U.S. sockets. 
 
Points of Contact:  Points of contact for the PSI OEG 
meeting events are Carlos Guzman (202-647-6320), 
GuzmanCS@state.gov and Beth Flores (703-692-0147), 
beth.flores@osd.mil for matters pertaining to the agenda 
and participation, and Ms. Neoni Mattox (703-692-0103; 
neoni.mattox.ctr@osd.mil) for all logistical and 
administrative matters. 
 
Tentative agenda topics for the PSI Outreach meeting include: 
- Introduction to PSI 
- PSI Capacity-Building, including the PSI exercise 
  program 
- Developing a model national response plan 
- PSI and UN Security Council Resolution 1540 
- WMD Commodities Manual 
- PSI and the Law (domestic and international law; 
  customs law) 
- PSI Upcoming Events 
 
The full agenda will be posted on the conference website. 
The website should be checked often for updates. 
 
---------------------- 
SAMPLE DIPLOMATIC NOTE 
---------------------- 
 
¶11.  Begin text of sample diplomatic note endorsing the PSI: 
 
The Government of (country) welcomes and fully supports 
the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) and the 4 
September 2003 Statement of Interdiction Principles 
(SOP). 
 
This endorsement reflects (country's) willingness to 
cooperate in preventing the proliferation of weapons of 
mass destruction (WMD), their means of delivery and 
related materials. (Country) is committed to upholding 
the PSI SOP and looks forward to participating, to the 
extent possible, in future PSI-related activities. 
 
(Additional language on your government's commitment to 
non-proliferation and particular efforts your government 
would like to undertake, etc., may be inserted as desired.) 
 
End Sample Diplomatic Note. 
CLINTON