VZCZCXYZ0015
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHC #0516 2071820
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 251815Z JUL 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY OTTAWA IMMEDIATE 1692
UNCLAS STATE 080516
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL CA
SUBJECT: T LETTER OF THANKS TO CANADIAN FINANCE OFFICIAL
FOR PSI 5TH ANNIVERSARY PRESENTATIONS
REF: STATE 023570
1. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND: Robert Sample, Senior Economist,
Department of Finance Canada, 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. Sample's presentation covered proliferation
financing, during the panel on efforts to strengthen
international frameworks that support 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. On May 29, 2008, the United States hosted a PSI Outreach
Workshop in Washington, attended by representatives of 21
countries that have not yet endorsed the PSI, as well as most
of the PSI participating states. The workshop provided
detailed information on the broad range of PSI activities and
tools that have been developed for training, organizing for,
and conducting interdictions of shipments of proliferation
concern. Robert Sample also gave a presentation on
proliferation financing at this workshop. (Copies of
presentations can be forwarded upon request.)
3. ACTION REQUESTED: Embassy is requested to deliver under
appropriate cover the following letter from Acting Under
Secretary John Rood to Department of Finance Senior Economist
Robert Sample, thanking him for his presentations at the PSI
Fifth Anniversary Senior-Level Meeting and Outreach Workshop.
The State Department does not plan to release the text of
this letter but has no objection if the Government of Canada
wishes to do so. There will be no signed original.
4. Begin text of letter:
Dear Mr. Sample:
On behalf of the U.S. Government, I want to thank you for
your presentation on proliferation financing, given in the
panel on efforts to strengthen international frameworks at
the May 28, 2008 Senior-Level Meeting for Proliferation
Security Initiative (PSI) participants in Washington DC.
Your presentation made an important contribution to the panel
and the meeting overall, covering a key element of the
international legal framework to counter WMD-related
trafficking.
I also would like to thank you for giving the presentation on
proliferation financing at the May 29, 2008 PSI Outreach
Workshop, geared toward briefing non-PSI states and PSI
endorsing states that have not participated regularly on this
critical issue.
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 Canada 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.
5. 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