EXBS: INTERNATIONAL BORDER (LAND) INTERDICTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BANGKOK 005376 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR ISN/ECC YWONG, ACHURCH, ROWEN, EAP/MLS DRICHELSOPH CBP/INA FOR RWATT, JGOUGE USDOE/NNSA FOR TPERRY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TH SUBJECT: EXBS: INTERNATIONAL BORDER (LAND) INTERDICTION TRAINING II (IBIT II) TRAINING, ARANYAPRATHET, THAILAND SEPTEMBER 17-21, 2007 BANGKOK 00005376 001.2 OF 003 BACKGROUND ¶1. An invitation cable was presented to the Kingdom of Thailand to conduct a 5-day course on International Border (Land) Interdiction Training (IBIT II) at a designated land border in September 2007. The invitation was accepted for training to occur September 17-21, 2007. The location was identified as Aranyaprathet, Sakaeo Province, on the Cambodian border with Thailand. COURSE OBJECTIVES ¶2. The IBIT II course objective is to further the informational exchange with partner nations by reinforcing inspectional techniques and methodologies with foreign counterpart law enforcement agencies in the nations' own operating environment. Emphasis is placed on a multi-layered enforcement approach, as utilized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in its own operating environment. Skills and knowledge required for carrying out effective inspection, detection, cargo and passenger processing, and contraband seizure are covered. The end goal of the program is to build an internal train-the-trainer capacity and eventually infuse the curriculum into the formal training academy of the host nation. ¶3. The course is designed to provide advanced level hands-on training for foreign customs and border guard agencies in the detection, identification, and interdiction of contraband, with an emphasis on countering the cross-border proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Practical exercises comprise the majority of the training and include: search of vehicles, pedestrians, commercial cargo and large commercial carriers, as the host country determines appropriate and applicable to its' operating environment. All course materials were in Thai and available for the participants to take home. Room reservations were available, at no cost, to those participants who chose to take advantage of the convenience on being on-site with the training venue. HIGHLIGHTS ¶4. The training began on Monday, 17 September 2007, and was held at the Indochina Hotel in Aranyaprathet, Thailand. A total of eighteen participants attended the course. Participants represented the Royal Thai Customs, Royal Thai Army Burapha Task Force, Border Patrol Police, Sakaeo City hall, Sakaeo Provincial Police Division, and the Aranyaprathet Immigration Office. The training session was opened by the Vice Governor of Sakaeo Province, who stressed the importance of cooperation between the United States and Thailand, and offered his thanks for the training that was being conducted. A representative from each participating agency gave a 10-15 minute overview of their areas of responsibility. Several of the agencies provided a copy of their presentation to the in-country advisor, William (Bill) Comley, for informational purposes. ¶5. Blocks of instruction were presented on CBP Targeting, Tools and Technology, Examining Containers, Seals, Targeting and Risk management, Behavioral Analysis, Commodity Exams, Concealment Methods, Document Analysis, Imposters, Passenger Selectivity, Passenger Admission, Post Seizure Analysis, and Explosives. Classroom practical exercises and film clips were incorporated throughout the week to re-enforce classroom instruction and allow the participants to exercise their knowledge and skills in the subjects. Particular interest was expressed regarding handling pedestrian traffic (false documents, behavioral analysis, etc.) and targeting techniques (use of intel, analysis, etc.). ¶6. Classroom instruction and on-site practical exercises, utilizing inspection and detection equipment were conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday, 18 & 19 September 2007. The inspection and detection equipment, which had been previously procured by the Department of State, included contraband detection kit(s),and personal radiation detectors (PRDs). BANGKOK 00005376 002.2 OF 003 CBP also provided multi-tools. The contraband detection kit contained a fiber optic scope, density meter (buster), inspectional mirror with flashlight, and a laser range finder. ¶7. On Thursday, 20 September 2007, the training team and in-country Advisor visited the Port of Entry (POE),at the request of the Aranyaprathet Immigration Office to observe, critique, and advise on their operations. The U.S. representatives arrived shortly after the POE opened to passenger traffic. The operations were observed for approximately 1-hour. Recommendations to the Aranyaprathet POE included, but were not limited to, gaining better control over the entry point by restricting entrance through one main corridor, preventing access through alternate points of entry, and capturing personal information in their automated system on entry VISAs - it appeared that a rapid display of an individuals photo was the only information used in authorizing entry. ¶8. The training team and in-country Advisor returned to the POE with the delegation the same day. The participants were allowed to utilize the training received in the classroom, such as, container inspection techniques, targeting, selectivity, and concealment methods. They were also provided further training on the use of the fiber optic scopes, busters, and laser range finders. The equipment was left at the POE to allow the Thai officers an opportunity to accustom themselves with the equipment and use the equipment in their daily operations. The training team and in-country participants were provided photos of their use of the equipment on Friday morning. ¶9. The course was very well received by the participants. They were eager to participate in class discussions, practical exercises, and question and answer sessions. The participants appeared committed to learning skills related to improving job performance and with sharing information about the issues they face in their jobs. ¶10. On Friday, 21 September 2007, the Aranyaprathet Port Director accepted the donation of one CT-30 kit and PRDs. Graduation was held with each participant receiving a certificate of completion for the course along with a class photo. A CD was also provided to each agency which included photos of activities that had occurred throughout the week. ANALYSIS OF PARTICIPANT CRITIQUES ¶11. The critiques were very positive. The participants thought the subject matter and lessons to be beneficial (especially those related to container examinations, inspection techniques, passenger selectivity, and field exercises). The critiques revealed that the participants felt the curriculum was beneficial and useful, and expressed a desire for additional border security-related training with recommendations that the training be offered at other POEs. There were no suggested modifications or improvements to the training. FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS ¶12. Based upon the positive feedback and enthusiastic participation by the students, it is recommended that additional training be provided to Thai law enforcement personnel with border security-related responsibilities at other critical POEs to include sea and air ports of entry. Instruction in targeting and risk analysis, false documents and behavioral analysis would address areas of particular need. In addition, it is recommended that future training(s) be held at a central location and travel to the POE occurs on the day of the practical exercise. In having a central location, it would alleviate the problem of participants being required to leave the training venue to continue with their daily work. It would also allow all participants an opportunity to graduate with their fellow officers versus being pulled from the class on the final day of the course. BANGKOK 00005376 003.2 OF 003 ¶13. This report was prepared by the CBP team in coordination with the EXBS Advisor. BOYCE