WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — On Friday, April 9, 2010, the Government of Colombia announced its endorsement of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Statement of Interdiction Principles with the following declaration:
“By adhering to the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Colombia expresses its willingness to work jointly with members of PSI to prevent and stop the transport of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery systems and related materials. Colombia will devote resources and efforts to interdiction operations and capabilities within the framework of the Initiative, in accordance with its national law and national capabilities, and without prejudice of the efforts and resources that Colombia should allocate to the maintenance of public order and defense of the institutions against the actions of the illegal armed groups.”
The United States welcomes Colombia’s participation in the PSI and looks forward to working with the government to advance the nonproliferation goals of the PSI and its Statement of Interdiction Principles.
PSI participants commit to undertake measures to interdict illicit transfers of WMD-related items, exchange relevant information, and strengthen national legal authorities. With the addition of Colombia, 96 countries on six continents are PSI participants, having endorsed the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles. The United States believes there should be the broadest possible participation in the PSI by all responsible states, to further strengthen international cooperation against trafficking in WMD, their delivery systems, and related materials. For more information on the Proliferation Security Initiative, please see the State Department’s website: http://www.state.gov/t/isn/c10390.htm.
