Disarmament Documentation

Proliferation Security Initiative meeting, March 20-22, 2005

'Experts From 19 Nations Conclude Meeting to Halt WMD Transfers', US Department of State, Washington File, March 22, 2005.

Delegates from 19 nations attended an operational experts meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, March 20-22 focused on future training exercises hosted by Portugal, Spain and Poland; outreaches to industry representatives; and the domestic and international legal authorities needed for potential interdictions of WMD-related air shipments.

Following is the text of USSTRATCOM's release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 22, 2005

Nineteen Nations Meet to Stop WMD Transfers

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Nebraska Delegations from 19 nations supporting the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) concluded a two-day meeting at the Omaha Qwest Center on March 22. Hosted by U.S. Strategic Command and the Office of the Secretary of Defense on behalf of the United States, the meeting advanced ongoing international efforts to enhance the operational capability of PSI participants to halt the international trafficking of weapons of mass destruction [WMD], their delivery systems, and related materials.

The meeting, which drew nearly 200 delegates, was the ninth PSI operational experts meeting since President Bush announced the PSI in Krakow, Poland in May 2003. It reflects our continued efforts to enhance collective capabilities against state and non-state actors engaged in proliferation trade and to shut down the networks that support this dangerous trade. This meeting focused on operational concepts, training exercises, industry outreach, and legal authorities related to the interdiction of WMD-related air shipments. PSI participants are planning several exercises in 2005, including a maritime interdiction exercise led by Portugal in April; an air interdiction exercise hosted by Spain and a ground interdiction exercise by Poland in June; maritime interdiction exercises led by Singapore and the United Kingdom in August and November, respectively; and an air interdiction simulation hosted by Norway in October.

General James Cartwright, Commander USSTRATCOM, who opened the PSI meeting by welcoming delegates, said it was important for the command to host the PSI operational experts meeting now that it has the mission of integrating and synchronizing Department of Defense efforts to combat WMD. USSTRATCOM is taking the lead within the U.S. Department of Defense to ensure all efforts to combat WMD across the entire military are maximized and synchronized," he said. "Because PSI and the interdiction of WMD-related shipments is a top priority for President Bush and the Department of Defense," he continued, "USSTRATCOM is focused on improving U.S. military capabilities in support of interdiction operations."

Participants included representatives from 19 countries - Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Source: US Department of State, http://usinfo.state.gov.

Back to the Top of the Page