CUSTOMS AND PORTS DIRECTORATE REITERATES REQUEST

UNCLAS MANAMA 000221 SIPDIS SIPDIS EB, NEA/ARP, NEA/PI COMMERCE FOR USPTO DPOGODA CUSTOMS FOR ITA/EBRANSON STATE PASS TO USTR FOR JBUNTIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON BA BILAT ETRD SUBJECT: CUSTOMS AND PORTS DIRECTORATE REITERATES REQUEST FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REF: 06 MANAMA 1700 ¶1. This is an action message. Please see paragraph four. ¶2. The Embassy received a letter from President of Customs, Ports and Free Zones Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa, in which he requested specific technical assistance training. As he mentions, his letter follows verbal discussions (reftel) and a previous letter, dated September 25, 2006. (Note: Post faxed and pouched subject letter and previous letter to NEA/ARP. End Note.) ¶3. We recognize that U.S. and Bahraini customs officials are currently negotiating the text of a Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement that could be signed during the mid-April visit of Shaikh Daij and Finance Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa to Washington. Shaikh Daij's request for training could serve as input for an action plan under the agreement. ¶4. Action Request: Please provide cleared language for a formal response to Shaikh Daij. ¶5. Begin text of letter: 25th February 2007 H.E. Mr. William Monroe Ambassador of the United States of America Embassy of the United States of America Kingdom of Bahrain Your Excellency Re. Training Requirements of the Directorate General of Customs May I refer to my recent meeting, in Your Excellency's presence, with the U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary, Dr. David Sampson, at which the possibility of SIPDIS U.S. Customs providing training to Bahraini Customs officials on various customs processes and procedures and on security issues was discussed. As you will appreciate, this was one of the requests the Bahraini side made at the conclusion stages of the US-Bahrain FTA. I also feel that such assistance will be in this spirit of the FTA, Chapter 5 (Customs Administration),Art. 7, which states "The United States shall endeavour to provide Bahrain with technical advice and assistance for the purpose of improving risk assessment techniques, simplifying and expediting customs procedures, advancing technical skills, and enhancing the use of technologies that can lead to improved compliance with laws and regulations governing importation." ¶1. Capacity building in customs matter ¶2. Train the Trainer Courses ¶3. Train Customs Officers in drug and weapon (explosive) identification, investigation and evidence gathering, information handling, questioning techniques and covert operations ¶4. Rules of Origin ¶5. X-Ray and other inspection techniques ¶6. Risk Assessment selectivity and profiling, concealment methods, intrusive and non-intrusive passenger baggage and freight control ¶7. Intellectual Property Rights ¶8. Money Laundering ¶9. Customs Valuation ¶10. Harmonizing systems ¶11. Managerial courses for senior and middle management ¶12. Auditing ¶13. Automation of various Customs Procedures I feel that Bahraini Customs staff will enormously benefit from such training which will also significantly enhance the level of co-operation between the U.S. and Bahrain Customs. I would be grateful for Your Excellency's assistance in this regard and look forward to hearing from you. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration at all times. With warm regards, Daij Bin Salman Al Khalifa President Customs, Ports & Free Zones End text. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** MONROE