EXBS: THAILAND/VIETNAM ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 006153 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR ISN/ECC YWONG, ACHURCH, KCROUCH, ROWEN, EAP/MLS DRICHELSOPH, BBLACKSHAW CBP/INA FOR RWATT DEPT OF ENERGY FOR NNSA TPERRY AMEMBASSY HANOI FOR PECKSTROM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR FOR RMOODY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TH VN SUBJECT: EXBS: THAILAND/VIETNAM ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE - NOVEMBER 2007 REF: BANGKOK 5782 BANGKOK 00006153 001.2 OF 002 SUMMARY ¶1. (U) EXBS Advisor completed an introductory visit to Vietnam, meeting with officials in Hanoi, Haiphong port and Lang Son border crossing. An Export Control Legal-Regulatory Workshop was conducted in Bangkok, Nov. 27-29. Interest and participation were good; several possible follow-on activities were identified. Preparations were begun for training courses in early January, 2008. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS ¶2. (U) On November 3, EXBS Advisor completed an introductory visit to Vietnam (reported REFTEL). Advisor and POLOFF met with senior Customs and Border Army officials in Hanoi, and visited Haiphong port and Lang Son border crossing into China. U.S. programs will complement assistance being provided by other nations. TRAINING CONDUCTED ¶3. (U) From November 27-29, Commonwealth Trading Partners conducted an Export Control Legal-Regulatory Workshop in Bangkok. Participants included senior officials involved with export controls from Royal Thai Customs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of the Council of State, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Public Health, Office of Atoms for Peace, Ministry of Defense, the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Thai Industries. The agenda included a broad array of topics, including the reasons for and elements of an export control system, UN Security Council Resolution 1540, control lists and regimes, enforcement, industry outreach, catch-all controls, transit, transshipment, reexport, brokering, and designing a consolidated export control law. ¶4. (SBU) Interest and participation were good. The Ministry of Commerce, which holds a large share of the export control responsibility, expressed support for a consolidated system and felt that involvement by other ministries in the workshop would increase support for that position (their delegation head interspersed her team among the other ministries' tables). Both Commerce and the industry organizations focused on the need to avoid hindering trade. Subsequent discussion of best practices and increased potential for foreign direct investment seemed to assuage some of these concerns. Delegates from the Council of State (responsible for working with the ministries and legislature to draft legislation) made particularly detailed and insightful comments. There was some discussion regarding ministries strengthening enforcement through their existing administrative powers, and whether Commerce already had authority to establish a unified control system. They also acknowledged the importance of Thailand playing its part in this global challenge. ¶5. (U) There was a general feeling that a Thai translation of the EU Control List would be useful in promoting a more standardized control system. Because of the rapid pace of technological developments, participants felt comprehensive commodity identification training would be useful. More advanced training in the U.S. on strategic trade controls would likely be a productive follow-up activity for key officials. A complete report will be sent SEPTEL. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED ¶4. (U) None. BANGKOK 00006153 002.2 OF 002 IMMINENT TRAINING/EQUIPMENT UPDATE ¶5. (U) U.S. Customs and Border Protection will conduct an International Seaport Interdiction Training (ISIT) course at Laem Chabang port, Thailand during January 7-11, 2008. CTP, Inc. will conduct a Tracker Planning Session and System Admin Training in Hanoi, Vietnam during January 14-18, 2008. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS ¶6. (U) None. BOYCE