UNCLAS BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 000193

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MTS, EAP/RSP


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ARF EAID ASEAN BX
SUBJECT: BRUNEI SUPPORTIVE ON ARF DISASTER PREP STATEMENT

Ref: A) State 61440 B)Singapore 682


1. (SBU) Charge delivered ref A points on June 23 (earliest
available date) to Sharifa Amalina, Assistant Director of ASEAN
Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MoFAT).
Sharifa responded that in general, Brunei was supportive of the
scope of the proposed elements of the statement. However, echoing
Singapore's reply (ref B) she doubted that there was not enough lead
time to craft and gain approval for the ministers to issue such a
statement. She suggested that Singapore, as host, would be the
logical drafter, and if a draft could be circulated soon, she said
she would be happy to review it.


2. (SBU) On the specific elements of the statement, Sharifa agreed
that there is a need for a work plan. The existing shepherds group
could be tasked with preparing it for review at an intersessional
meeting. Sharifa was also intrigued by the idea of a temporary SOFA
template, acknowledging that it could save critical time in a crisis
response situation.


FRIEDMAN