VZCZCXYZ0012
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHC #3366 2171252
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 041250Z AUG 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY KYIV IMMEDIATE 7376
UNCLAS STATE 083366
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL UP
SUBJECT: ISN LETTER OF THANKS TO UKRAINE PSI PRESENTER
REF: A. STATE 023568
B. STATE 069343
1. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND: On May 29, 2008, the United
States hosted a Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)
Outreach Workshop in Washington, attended by representatives
of 21 countries that have not yet endorsed the PSI, as well
as most of the 92 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. Volodymyr Bielashov, Director, Arms
Control and Military-Technical Cooperation Directorate, MFA,
gave a presentation on Ukraine's 2007 PSI exercise "Eastern
Shield" (copy can be forwarded upon request).
2. ACTION REQUESTED: Embassy is requested to deliver under
appropriate cover the following letter from Acting Assistant
Secretary Patricia McNerney to Mr. Bielashov, thanking him
for his presentation. There will be no signed original.
3. Begin text of letter:
Dear Mr. Bielashov:
I would like to thank you for giving the presentation on
Ukraine's "Eastern Shield" exercise at the May 29, 2008
Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Outreach Workshop in
Washington, DC. Your presentation made an important
contribution to the Workshop.
I believe the Outreach Workshop was very successful both
because it informed states of the many ongoing PSI activities
and because it provided states with concrete ways to improve
their capabilities to stop WMD-related trafficking. The
United States greatly appreciates the significant role that
Ukraine plays in advancing the PSI's goals, including in
outreach. We believe that we must continue PSI outreach,
both to encourage more states to endorse the PSI and
encourage states that have already endorsed to participate
more actively. We look forward to continuing our work
together in support of the PSI.
Sincerely,
Patricia A. McNerney
Acting Assistant Secretary for International Security and
Nonproliferation,
Department of State
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