Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06AITTAIPEI2924
2006-08-24 02:32:00
SECRET
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Cable title:
MTAG: TAIWAN EXPORT CONTROL: REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHIN #2924 2360232 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 240232Z AUG 06 FM AIT TAIPEI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1788 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 5571 RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN PRIORITY 0134 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 4296 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0151 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 7957 RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG PRIORITY 6784 RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ BICE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
S E C R E T AIT TAIPEI 002924
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/TC AND ISN/MTR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2026
TAGS: MTCRE PARM TW ECCT KGIT
SUBJECT: MTAG: TAIWAN EXPORT CONTROL: REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE
REF: A. TAIPEI 2800
B. TAIPEI 2532
C. TAIPEI 1899
Classified By: AIT DDIR Robert Wang, REASONS 1.4 B/C
S E C R E T AIT TAIPEI 002924
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/TC AND ISN/MTR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2026
TAGS: MTCRE PARM TW ECCT KGIT
SUBJECT: MTAG: TAIWAN EXPORT CONTROL: REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE
REF: A. TAIPEI 2800
B. TAIPEI 2532
C. TAIPEI 1899
Classified By: AIT DDIR Robert Wang, REASONS 1.4 B/C
1. (U) Action request paras 3 and 5.
2. (S) Summary: AIT seeks reactions to the ref A non-paper
on Taiwan's plans to restrict trade with North Korea and Iran
and to Taiwan's Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT) repeated, and
now urgent, BOFT requests for technical assistance (ref B) in
its export control efforts. End Summary.
Vetting Visas for North Koreans
--------------
3. (S) AIT seeks reaction from Washington agencies to the
Taiwan non-paper contained in ref A. The non-paper indicates
that along with new trade and financial restrictions, Taiwan
will restrict issuance of Taiwan visas for North Korean
nationals by requiring prior Ministry of Foreign Affairs
approval. Do Washington agencies still wish to maintain the
present practice of receiving information on applicants from
North Korea who receive visas for travel to Taiwan? Do
Washington agencies still wish to initiate with the Taiwan
Ministry of Foreign Affairs a U.S. review of the visa
applications prior to issuance?
Embarrassing Questions
--------------
4. (S) As reported ref B, U.S. Container Security Initiative
officials here in Taiwan have concurred with BOFT's
assessment that there are serious technical obstacles to full
implementation of "Gameplan" commitments regarding transit
and transshipped cargoes. In ref B and elsewhere AIT has
relayed BOFT's desire for U.S. technical assistance with
these difficulties. BOFT reported to AIT on August 22 that
the matter has become more urgent due a letter that the
Kaohsiung Shipping Association has sent to several Taiwan
agencies complaining that there is no feasible way for
shipping companies to comply with the new license requirement
for transit and transshipped cargoes implemented on June 1
(ref C) and asking for details on how Taiwan agencies plan to
evaluate the license applications. BOFT is concerned that
the letter will result in unwelcome media attention and
political pressure.
5. (S) BOFT has again requested U.S. assistance in
explaining to international shipping companies the technical
details of the process for licensing transit and transshipped
cargoes. BOFT has suggested the possibility of having U.S.
speakers at a public meeting for shipping companies. Please
advise if U.S. agencies are prepared to offer assistance in
addressing Taiwan's technical export control questions, and,
if so, the soonest date that U.S. experts can discuss these
issues with Taiwan officials.
YOUNG
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/TC AND ISN/MTR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2026
TAGS: MTCRE PARM TW ECCT KGIT
SUBJECT: MTAG: TAIWAN EXPORT CONTROL: REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE
REF: A. TAIPEI 2800
B. TAIPEI 2532
C. TAIPEI 1899
Classified By: AIT DDIR Robert Wang, REASONS 1.4 B/C
1. (U) Action request paras 3 and 5.
2. (S) Summary: AIT seeks reactions to the ref A non-paper
on Taiwan's plans to restrict trade with North Korea and Iran
and to Taiwan's Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT) repeated, and
now urgent, BOFT requests for technical assistance (ref B) in
its export control efforts. End Summary.
Vetting Visas for North Koreans
--------------
3. (S) AIT seeks reaction from Washington agencies to the
Taiwan non-paper contained in ref A. The non-paper indicates
that along with new trade and financial restrictions, Taiwan
will restrict issuance of Taiwan visas for North Korean
nationals by requiring prior Ministry of Foreign Affairs
approval. Do Washington agencies still wish to maintain the
present practice of receiving information on applicants from
North Korea who receive visas for travel to Taiwan? Do
Washington agencies still wish to initiate with the Taiwan
Ministry of Foreign Affairs a U.S. review of the visa
applications prior to issuance?
Embarrassing Questions
--------------
4. (S) As reported ref B, U.S. Container Security Initiative
officials here in Taiwan have concurred with BOFT's
assessment that there are serious technical obstacles to full
implementation of "Gameplan" commitments regarding transit
and transshipped cargoes. In ref B and elsewhere AIT has
relayed BOFT's desire for U.S. technical assistance with
these difficulties. BOFT reported to AIT on August 22 that
the matter has become more urgent due a letter that the
Kaohsiung Shipping Association has sent to several Taiwan
agencies complaining that there is no feasible way for
shipping companies to comply with the new license requirement
for transit and transshipped cargoes implemented on June 1
(ref C) and asking for details on how Taiwan agencies plan to
evaluate the license applications. BOFT is concerned that
the letter will result in unwelcome media attention and
political pressure.
5. (S) BOFT has again requested U.S. assistance in
explaining to international shipping companies the technical
details of the process for licensing transit and transshipped
cargoes. BOFT has suggested the possibility of having U.S.
speakers at a public meeting for shipping companies. Please
advise if U.S. agencies are prepared to offer assistance in
addressing Taiwan's technical export control questions, and,
if so, the soonest date that U.S. experts can discuss these
issues with Taiwan officials.
YOUNG