Cablegate: T Letter of Thanks to Spanish Mfa Officials For

VZCZCXYZ0009
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #7361 2001330
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 181325Z JUL 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY MADRID IMMEDIATE 0000

UNCLAS STATE 077361

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL SP
SUBJECT: T LETTER OF THANKS TO SPANISH MFA OFFICIALS FOR
PSI 5TH ANNIVERSARY PRESENTATIONS

REF: STATE 023568

1. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND: 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, two Spanish officials had
formal roles. MFA Director-General for External Policy
Rafael Dezcallar gave a presentation reviewing five
successful years of the PSI during the first session of the
day, on taking stock of the first five years of the PSI. MFA
Department for Non-Proliferation and Disarmament official
Tada Bastida Eizaguirre gave a presentation in the afternoon
on Spain's ratification of the 2005 Protocols to the
Convention on the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the
Safety of Maritime Navigation. 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 letters from Acting Under
Secretary John Rood to MFA Director-General for External
Policy Rafael Dezcallar and MFA Department for
Non-Proliferation and Disarmament official Tada Bastida
Eizaguirre, thanking each of them for their role in the PSI
Fifth Anniversary Senior-Level Meeting. The State Department
does not plan to release the texts of these letters but has
no objection if the Government of Spain wishes to do so.
There will be no signed originals.

3. Begin text of letter to Mr. Dezcallar:

Dear Mr. Dezcallar:

On behalf of the U.S. Government, I want to thank you for
your presentation "PSI 2003-2008: Five Successful Years" in
the opening panel of the May 28, 2008 Senior-Level Meeting of
Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) participants in
Washington DC. Your presentation made an important
contribution to the meeting. This panel was a good way for
the meeting participants to take stock of the first five
years of the PSI, including the views of Spain and several
other key PSI partners.

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 Spain 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. Begin text of letter to Ms. Bastida Eizaguirre:

Dear Ms. Bastida Eizaguirre:

On behalf of the U.S. Government, I want to thank you for
your presentation "Ratification of the 2005 Protocols to the
SUA Treaties: Paving the Way Forward" at the May 28, 2008
Senior-Level Meeting of Proliferation Security Initiative
(PSI) participants in Washington DC. Your presentation made
a valuable contribution to the meeting, covering one of the
most important additions to the international legal framework
to counter WMD-related trafficking since the PSI was
established. Spain's example as the first signatory state to
ratify the 2005 SUA Protocols is an inspiration to all PSI
partners.

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 Spain 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

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