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THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF AMERICAN BASES (CAAB) |
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THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF AMERICAN BASES (CAAB) |
A senior US official said the so-called Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) had already netted several seizures, but declined to elaborate.
During two days of talks, the officials refined scenarios for the exercises which will focus on intercepting nuclear, chemical and biological weapons on the high seas, in international airspace, or during overland transit.
"The meeting was intended to enhance the operational capability of PSI participants to undertake air, maritime and ground interdictions of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery systems and related materials," said John Bolton, the top US diplomat for arms control.
The PSI was proposed by US President George W. Bush in late May with the aim of stopping countries, particularly North Korea and Iran, from WMD proliferation.
Since its launch, the initial 11 members -- Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the United States -- have been joined by Canada, Denmark, Norway, Singapore and Turkey.
The five newcomers attended their first meetings on PSI logistics on Tuesday and Wednesday. The meetings included briefings from US national security advisor Condoleezza Rice and Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, Bolton said.
The original 11 held four exercises this year simulating seizures of WMD from ships and aircraft. In the first half of 2004 the expanded group of 16 plan at least six new training programs.
Two of those exercises will be hosted by Italy and one each by France, Germany, Poland and the United States, said a senior US official who participated in the talks.
"This is serious," the official told reporters on condition of anonymity. "It's not just a bunch of diplomats sitting around a table."
Exact dates for the exercises -- which will be carried out by the armed forces, police and customs agencies of PSI participants -- were not immediately available.
Critics argue the controversial PSI tactics may violate elements of international law. One critic, China, said it understood the participants' concerns, but warned of "bad consequences" from its implementation.
"Internationally, the legality of some of the PSI measures have some negative aspects that could result in bad consequences and have raised a lot of concerns," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said on December
"PSI member states should earnestly consider this," he said.
The senior US official said PSI participants could operate within the existing constraints of international law, noting that it has already happened with no complaint.
"When an interdiction takes place and the product is not delivered, not only do we know the interdiction has taken place, the buyer knows it's taken place and the seller knows it's taken place," the officials said.
"So if they've got a problem, they can go find a court and you haven't seen any of that yet, have you?"
The senior US official refused to offer details about the number or location of the interdictions, or reveal what type of weapons had been confiscated.