Cablegate: Nz May Not Be Able to Participate in Psi "Leading

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DE RUEHWL #0482 1740539
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 230539Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2941
INFO RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA IMMEDIATE 4463
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RHHJJAA/JICPAC HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L WELLINGTON 000482

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
NOFORN

STATE FOR D (FRITZ), EAP/FO, EAP/ANP, AND ISN/CPI
NSC FOR VICTOR CHA
SECDEF FOR OSD/ISD LIZ PHU
PACOM FOR JO1E/J2/J233/J5/SJFHQ

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/23/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS NZ
SUBJECT: NZ MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN PSI "LEADING
EDGE" EXERCISE

Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Katherine B. Hadda,
for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)

1. (C) This message contains an action request, at para 4.

2. (C) On June 22, Pol-Econ Couns was called into the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) by Michael
Swain, Deputy Director of the Security Policy Division, and
Nik Green, Policy Officer. Swain explained that GNZ
officials remain unable to confirm attendance at the
US-hosted PSI table top exercise "Leading Edge" later this
year. The officials hope to attend, but have not yet
completed their country's national action plan, which they
believe is a prerequisite for the exercise. Without the
plan, New Zealand is unclear on which ministry has legal
authority to perform various aspects of the events that will
be simulated in the exercise.

3. (C) Noting that the U.S. side had asked New Zealand to
confirm its attendance in "Leading Edge" by May 31, Swain
said that it was unlikely New Zealand would have its action
plan in place before August. GNZ wonders if it could confirm
its attendance at that time. Swain and Green also stressed
that GNZ remains completely committed to the success of PSI
even if New Zealand is unable to participate in "Leading
Edge," either because it has missed the response deadline or
because the NZ national action plan will not be completed in
time. Swain added that GNZ is taking its signals from us on
what it needs to do to be successful in PSI. It would be
helpful for GNZ to know whether in fact US officials believe
the action plan is necessary for the exercise. Swain said
that NZ Embassy officials in Washington are also passing this
message through OSD.

4. (C) Action Request: Please advise post whether or not
the national action plan is a prerequisite for the "Leading
Edge" exercise as well as whether GNZ still has time to
respond positively to the invitation to participate.

McCormick

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