Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MANAMA221
2007-03-07 15:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Manama
Cable title:
CUSTOMS AND PORTS DIRECTORATE REITERATES REQUEST
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHMK #0221/01 0661501 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 071501Z MAR 07 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6528 INFO RUEATRS/TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY RUDGUSC/USCUSTOMS WASHDC PRIORITY
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
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
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