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UNCLAS STATE 026174 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL
SUBJECT: PSI: MAY 2009 PSI OPERATIONAL EXPERTS GROUP AND 
OUTREACH MEETINGS - OFFICIAL INVITATION TO WESTERN 
HEMISPHERE PSI COUNTRIES 
 
REF: 08 STATE 132842 
 
OBJECTIVES AND ACTION REQUESTS 
------------------------------ 
 
¶1.  As promised in REFTEL, below is the official U.S. 
invitation to the events the U.S. will host May 
12-14 in Miami for the Proliferation Security 
Initiative (PSI) Operational Experts Group (OEG) 
and Outreach meetings. 
 
¶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. Addressees are requested to deliver the invitation 
letter under appropriate letterhead to appropriate 
government officials in host government and urge host 
government's participation in the PSI OEG and Outreach 
Meetings.  No original will be sent. A separate 
invitation letter will be sent to regular OEG 
participants.  Posts are encouraged to distribute the 
information to host government ministries involved in 
international security-related decision-making, 
nonproliferation, and export controls (to include 
international and customs law, operational intelligence, 
law enforcement and customs operations, border security, 
international trade and finance, exercise planning, and 
policy/diplomacy communities). 
NOTE:  Typically, PSI OEG delegations are comprised of 
3-8 officials led by a one-star equivalent government 
official from the Ministry of Defense (MOD) or Ministry 
of Foreign Affairs (MFA). 
 
¶4.  Posts are also requested to be prepared to assist 
participants from capitals in obtaining any required U.S. 
visas on an expedited basis.  If any delegates from host 
government indicate they cannot complete registration 
using the website, please contact the POCs below and we 
will e-mail the registration forms and instructions for 
Post to pass to host government. 
 
REPORTING DEADLINE AND POC 
-------------------------- 
 
¶5.  Addressees are requested to deliver the documents 
below to host governments by March 23, and report 
delivery by March 27.  E-mail responses are acceptable. 
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. 
 
INVITATION LETTER 
----------------- 
 
¶6.  Begin text of PSI invitation letter from OSD 
Assistant Secretary Of Defense Joseph Benkert: 
 
Dear Colleague: 
 
The United States will host the next Proliferation 
Security Initiative (PSI) Operational Experts Group 
(OEG) meeting on May 12 - 13, 2009, in Miami, Florida. 
This meeting will explore the regional dimensions of 
the weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferation 
challenge and discuss practical steps that Western 
Hemisphere governments can take to stop shipments of 
illicit WMD and missile-related material.  As a PSI 
partner in the Western Hemisphere, your government 
is invited to attend this meeting, along with PSI 
partners from other regions of the world. 
 
The Miami OEG meeting will focus on operational issues, 
experimenting with a new small-group discussion format 
to analyze some of the challenges involved in 
undertaking PSI-related interdictions.  Participation 
in this meeting and other PSI capacity-building 
activities can assist countries with strengthening 
their interagency decision-making process to stop 
illicit trafficking and fortifying their economic 
systems and assets (such as ports, industries, etc.) 
against exploitation by illicit traffickers of WMD 
and related items. 
 
On May 14, the United States will host an Outreach 
meeting for countries in the Western Hemisphere that 
have not endorsed the PSI Statement of Interdiction 
Principles to learn more about the PSI.  All PSI 
partner countries are also invited to attend the 
Outreach meeting.  An evening reception for delegates 
to both meetings will take place on May 13.  The 
Outreach meeting will provide an opportunity for 
governments to learn more about the PSI through 
discussions with colleagues from the Western 
Hemisphere and around the world. 
 
Countries are encouraged to send interagency 
delegations consisting of officials interested in 
the issues reflected in the OEG agenda.  Typically, 
PSI OEG delegations are comprised of 3-8 officials 
led by a one-star equivalent government official 
from the Ministry of Defense (MOD) or Foreign Affairs 
(MFA).  Professionals in the following areas would 
have expertise to contribute to OEG discussions: 
nonproliferation policy, international law, including 
air and maritime law, customs law and operations, 
export controls, operational intelligence, law 
enforcement and investigation, border security, 
tracking illicit finance, and exercise planning. 
 
The OEG 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 all 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. 
 
We have set up a dedicated PSI OEG 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 conference and 
reserve hotel rooms.  All delegates are encouraged 
to check the website often, as it will be used to 
post the latest agendas and other materials 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-OEG-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 the OEG agenda and format 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 deepening our collaboration on this issue of 
great importance and common concern. 
 
     Sincerely, 
 
     Joseph A. Benkert 
 
 
LOGISTICAL INFORMATION 
---------------------- 
 
¶7.  Begin text of logistical information sheet for 
the PSI OEG and Outreach meetings: 
 
Registration:  To register for the Miami OEG and 
Outreach meetings 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 OEG Conference 
ID:  PSI-OEG-2009 
 
If you cannot access the PSI OEG 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 these events. 
 
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 PSI OEG meeting will be 
conducted on May 12-13.  The U.S. is inviting all 
PSI-endorsing countries from the Western Hemisphere 
to attend this meeting (Belize, Chile, El Salvador, 
Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, and The Bahamas), along 
with any additional countries from the region that 
endorse the PSI before the meeting.  The May 14 
Outreach meeting will be open to PSI partners and 
countries from the Western Hemisphere that have not 
endorsed the PSI.  A reception for all delegates to 
both meetings will take place on the evening of 
May 13.  Event check-in will be available in the 
J.W. Marriott Hotel Miami beginning the afternoon 
of May 11. 
 
Delegation size and composition:  There are no 
specific limitations on the size of a country's 
delegation.  We encourage governments to send 
delegations that represent the ministries that are 
involved in international security-related decision 
making.  Typically, PSI OEG delegations are 
normally comprised of 3-8 officials led by a 
one-star equivalent government official, from 
the Ministry of Defense or Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs.  Experts in the following areas could have 
something to contribute to OEG discussions: 
international and customs law, operational 
intelligence, customs operations, border security, 
international trade and finance, exercise planning, 
and policy/diplomacy. 
 
Location:  All PSI OEG and Outreach 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:  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 all 
meeting participants during the period from May 
11- 15.  (Those delegates wishing to extend these 
dates should contact the hotel directly.)  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-marriott-hotel-miami/. 
Participants are responsible for their own 
accommodations costs. 
 
Hotel Registration:  The dedicated PSI OEG website 
has additional and 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 the latest agenda and other materials 
related to the meeting. 
 
Meals:  The PSI OEG 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 attire.  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; some presentations 
made as part of the PSI meetings will be presented on 
the screen in both English and Spanish.  Non-English 
speaking delegations may include an English-speaking 
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 
OEG agenda and participation, and Ms. Neoni Mattox 
(703-692-0103; neoni.mattox.ctr@osd.mil) for all 
logistical and administrative matters. 
 
Agenda:  Tentative agenda topics for the OEG include: 
- Global Proliferation Challenge and The Americas 
- PSI: Western Hemisphere Views 
- Break out group discussions among the legal, law 
  enforcement/customs, and intelligence experts 
- The PSI website 
- PSI reports from participating countries 
- Interdiction case studies 
- PSI and UNSCR 1540 
- Update on Financial Action Task Force 
- Upcoming PSI events 
 
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 
 
Full agendas are posted on the conference website. 
The website should be checked often for updates. 
 
End logistical information. 
CLINTON