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