BRUNEI SUPPORTIVE ON ARF DISASTER PREP STATEMENT

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