EXBS-MIDDLE EAST REGION ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 004890

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NP/ECC - T. GROEN, P. VAN SON, J. GABRYSZEWSKI
DOC FOR D. CREED
US COAST GUARD FOR USCG ACTIVITIES/MIO EUROPE M. BEE
US CUSTOMS FOR P. WALKER, W. LAWRENCE
USDOE/NNSA FOR T. PERRY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP JO
SUBJECT: EXBS-MIDDLE EAST REGION ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE
MAY 2005


1. SUMMARY. Regional EXBS Advisor completed coordination for
visits to Yemen and Oman. The "Export Control Legal-Regulatory
Workshop I," held in Oman May 15-18, provided exposure to a
complex subject for Omani officials, but the course detail and
subject were premature in terms of the level of development of
the Omani Export System. The Omani EXBS officials need immediate
training concerning transshipment and interdiction. Yemeni
officials have received extensive training for their Coast Guard
and now need assistance in procuring equipment and training to
man and operate a maritime operations center for the Yemeni Coast
Guard. Regional EXBS Advisor continued coordination for the
visit of a Department of Energy MEGAPORTS Initiative/Second Line
of Defense Program assessment team to Oman and Yemen. END
SUMMARY.


2. MIDDLE EAST REGION (OMAN, U.A.E., YEMEN)


I. BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST. Regional EXBS Advisor will make
contact with Post EXBS representatives in U.A.E., and Yemen,
calendar initial EXBS Advisor visits, coordinate EXBS training
events and make recommendations to respective Country Team and
NP/ECC as appropriate.

II. COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD.


A. SITE ASSESSMENTS, MEETINGS AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES
DURING REPORTING PERIOD.


1. On May 1-15,EXBS Advisor exchanged emails with EXBS point of
contact in Muscat, Oman and the US Coast Guard International Port
Security Liaison Officer (IPSLO) located in Rotterdam,
Netherlands who is responsible for Jordan and Oman. EXBS Advisor
discussed with Muscat and ISPLO, general maritime issues related
to EXBS and the visit of the ISPLO to Oman.


2. On May 1-15, EXBS Advisor assisted American Embassy Muscat,
Department of Commerce, NP/ECC and their contractor to make final
preparations for the "Export Control Legal-Regulatory Workshop
I," held in Muscat, Oman on May 15-18, 2005. Post EXBS
representative coordinated country clearance, transportation and
housing of trainers and training-facility logistics for the
course. Post course critique determined this workshop provided
exposure to a complex subject for Omani officials, but the course
detail and subject were premature in terms of the level of
development of the Omani Export System. The Omani EXBS officials
need immediate training concerning transshipment and
interdiction.


3. On May 1-30, EXBS Advisor assisted American Embassy Muscat,
American Embassy Sana'a, NP/ECC and Department of Energy to
coordinate future visit of MEGAPORTS Initiative/Second Line of
Defense assessment team. The team will assess the ports of
Qaboos and Salalah in Oman and Aden and possibly Al-Hudaydah in
Yemen for inclusion in the MEGAPORTS Initiative/Second Line of
Defense Programs. Teams plan to visit Yemen this August and Oman
this September.


4. On May 1-30, EXBS Advisor assisted NP/ECC, EXBS Inter-agency
Group Members and their contractors to update the annual Inter-
Agency EXBS Schedule for the Middle East Region.


B. TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING REPORTING PERIOD.


1. EXBS: "Export Control Legal-Regulatory Workshop I," held in
Muscat, Oman on May 15-18, 2005.


2. OTHER: None.


C. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING REPORTING PERIOD.
None.


D. IMMINENT TRAINING OR EQUIPMENT STATUS UPDATE.


1. EXBS: Visit of MEGAPORTS/SLD assessment teams to Oman and
Yemen (SPECIAL NOTE: Yemeni officials have received extensive
training for their Coast Guard and now need assistance in
procuring equipment and training to man and operate a maritime
operations center for the Yemeni Coast Guard.)


2. OTHER: None.


E. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN EXPORT CONTROLS, NONPROLIFERATION,
OR RELATED BORDER SECURITY.
To be determined following initial country visits (Yemen - July
10-19, 2005; Oman - September 18-28, 2005; U.A.E. TBD) and review
of EXBS: Control System Standards Questionnaire for each country.


F. OTHER SIGNIFICANT ISSUES/EVENTS.

Same as paragraph 2-II-E, above.


G. PRIMARY EXBS OBJECTIVES FOR COMING MONTH.


1. Schedule initial EXBS Advisor visit to U.A.E.


2. Coordinate with Embassy personnel on the ground to identify
persons and organizations of interest to EXBS.


3. Continue coordination for MEGAPORT/SLD assessments of Yemen
and Oman.


4. Continue coordination for country-specific
training/procurement for Region.


H. STATUS OF LAST MONTH'S PRIMARY EXBS OBJECTIVES.


1. EXBS Advisor and Post EXBS representative - have scheduled
dates for EXBS Advisor visit to Yemen and Oman.


2. EXBS Advisor will confirm tentative dates for visit to U.A.E.,
i.e., October 9-18, 2005.


3. EXBS Advisor will coordinate with Post EXBS representatives
Muscat, Abu Dhabi and Sanaa to identify persons/organizations of
interest to EXBS.

III. RED FLAG ISSUES.

None.


3. Any questions or comments can be directed to Joseph C. Irvine,
EXBS Advisor to the Middle East Region, Telephone:(962 6) 590-
6550/6558, Fax: (962 6) 592-7653, Email: IrvineJC@state.gov.
HENZEL