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