Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)
Since June 2003 a number of countries have been cooperating on the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), an initiative launched in response to proposals put forward by the USA and designed to prevent the transport and transfer of weapons of mass destruction (proliferation). Germany is a co-founder of the PSI.
The number of active participants has increased from the original 11 to 20, and almost 80 countries have expressed their support for the Initiative's goals. The PSI is intended not to duplicate but to effectively supplement existing export control mechanisms and non-proliferation agreements.
Through network-building and regular training exercises, the PSI aims to improve cooperation on the interdiction of suspect transfers by land, sea or air of items that could be used to manufacture nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and delivery systems. All PSI activities are fully consistent with applicable international and domestic law. During the PSI's first year participants adopted a Joint Statement of Interdiction Principles.
Despite relevant bans, individuals as well as states and non-state actors have repeatedly succeeded in acquiring the necessary components or equipment for the manufacture of weapons of mass destruction. In many instances those involved have taken advantage of freer global trade to circumvent national controls and conceal the true nature of their activities.
Active PSI participants hold meetings of the so-called Operational Expert Group two or three times a year. They also conduct international training exercises designed to practise the interception and seizure of proliferation-relevant items. One example of a purely civilian training exercise was the Hawkeye operation at Frankfurt/Main airport in early 2004.
The best example of a real-life interdiction operation was the seizure in October 2003 of the vessel BBC China and its cargo of gas ultracentrifuge casings intended for Libya's nuclear weapons programme. In the wake of this incident Libya terminated its nuclear weapons programme.
The PSI acquired a new regional dimension with the meeting held under Federal Foreign Office auspices in Hamburg from 24 to 26 November 2005, which was attended by not only 37 European countries but also by representatives of the European Union.
Last updated 05.07.2007