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Proliferation Security Initiative

Overview

The Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) is a practical response to the growing challenge posed by the worldwide spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and their delivery systems and related materials. PSI aims to impede illicit WMD related trade to and from states of proliferation concern and terrorist groups. The initiative was launched by President Bush in May 2003.   It has grown rapidly since then and now has support from over 80 countries.

Under the initiative, countries commit to disrupting the illicit trade in WMD by interdicting in their territory or territorial waters vessels, aircraft or other modes of transport that are reasonably suspected of carrying suspicious cargo. In October 2003, the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Italy acting under the auspices of the PSI stopped an illegal cargo of centrifuge parts for uranium enrichment destined for Libya.  Shortly afterwards, Libya announced its intention to dismantle its WMD program. 

Australia is working to raise awareness of, and expand support for, the initiative in the Asia-Pacific region.

PSI Exercises

A priority for Australia, and all other PSI participants, is to maintain and refine capabilities for interdicting WMD-related trade.  Countries participating in PSI activities have developed their maritime, air and ground interdiction capabilities through a program of joint training exercises in Europe, Asia and North America.  These exercises are designed to: enhance operational responsiveness by testing national interdiction capacity; improve mechanisms for conducting joint interdiction operations with other countries; bridge differences in training and operational systems and allow operational crews and policy experts to learn to work together in a cooperative and collaborative manner.  Australia has observed almost all PSI interdiction exercises, and hosted two (see above).

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