MTAG: TAIWAN EXPORT CONTROL: REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE

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