For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 31, 2005
President's Statement on the Proliferation Security Initiative
Since the Proliferation Security Initiative was launched in Krakow,
Poland, two years ago, nations around the world have been cooperating
to develop new and dynamic approaches to stop the global trafficking of
weapons of mass destruction. To counter proliferation networks, we are
working in common cause with like-minded states prepared to make
maximum use of their laws and capabilities to deny rogue states,
terrorists, and black marketeers access to WMD-related materials and
delivery means.
Today, more than sixty countries are supporters of the PSI. Its
global reach continues to expand, most recently by endorsements from
Argentina, Georgia, and Iraq. The goals of PSI have been endorsed by
the United Nations Security Council in Resolution 1540.
Through training exercises involving military, law enforcement,
customs, intelligence, and legal experts, many PSI partners are
developing new tools to improve their national and collective
capacities to interdict WMD and related shipments - whether on land, at
sea, or in the air.
On this foundation, PSI partners are building a record of success
by stopping the transshipment of WMD-related materials, prosecuting
proliferation networks, and shutting down front companies trafficking
in WMD materials.
I urge all responsible states to join this global campaign by
endorsing the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles and by
committing to work to end the security threat posed by the
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
###
|