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


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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


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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