    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [May 28, 2008]
    [Pages 735-736]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Fifth Anniversary of the Proliferation Security
    Initiative
    May 28, 2008

        Members of the international community are gathered in Washington,
    DC, today on the fifth anniversary of the Proliferation Security
    Initiative (PSI). Since former Polish President Kwasniewski and I first announced the initiative on May 31,
    2003, in Krakow, Poland, PSI partner nations have been taking
    cooperative action to stop the proliferation trade and to deny
    terrorists, rogue states, and their supplier networks access to weapons
    of mass destruction (WMD), their delivery systems, and related
    materials.
        Five years ago, the world became aware that an international black
    market network, headed by A.Q. Khan, had
    for many years supplied a clandestine nuclear weapons program in Libya.
    Recently, the discovery of Syria's covert nuclear reactor demonstrated
    that proliferators are capable of pursuing dangerous objectives even as
    the world becomes more vigilant. And today, in violation of United
    Nations Security

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    Council resolutions, Iran continues to enrich uranium and develop
    missile systems that could eventually deliver WMD. These proliferation
    activities undermine peace and security and remind us of the continued
    need for cooperative action.
        The PSI has responded to this challenge and achieved a solid record
    of success. Beginning in 2003 with only 11 states, the PSI has grown to
    more than 90 nations from every region of the world committed to conduct
    interdictions and deter those engaged in this dangerous trade. As a
    result of the collaborative efforts and training it sponsors, PSI is an
    increasingly effective tool to carry out real-world WMD-related
    interdictions, from shutting down front companies to disrupting
    financial networks, prosecuting proliferators, and stopping shipments of
    sensitive materials from reaching their intended destination.
        I commend all PSI partners for the work they have undertaken and
    pledge continued U.S. leadership and support for the effort. I urge all
    responsible nations to join this global initiative to end WMD
    proliferation.