EXBS: THAILAND/VIETNAM ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 001435

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR ISN/ECC YWONG, ACHURCH, KCROUCH, ROWEN, EAP/MLS
DRICHELSOPH, BBLACKSHAW
CBP/INA FOR BMCCRAY
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 - APRIL 2008

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SUMMARY


1. (U) An Export Control Legal-Regulatory Workshop was
conducted in Hanoi, April 8-10. Advisor met with Customs
specialists from the Japanese International Cooperation
Agency (JICA) and European Commission (EC) to assess
potential areas for collaboration or deconfliction. The Thai
translation of the European Union (EU) Control Lists was
received April 25, and will be used in EXBS training
workshops in May and July.

SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS


2. (U) Advisor met with Customs specialists of the Japanese
International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Bangkok. This
office has regional responsibilities, providing Customs
assistance to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. The main
effort currently underway is a program designed to strengthen
Risk Management procedures, especially for customs clearance,
post-clearance audits and prevention of smuggling. The
program will develop procedures for central and local
profiling, and develop a risk management database. Another
current project is assessing possible installation of x-ray
inspection systems in Hai Phong and/or Ho Chi Minh City Cat
Lai port. Past assistance was provided to Vietnam through a
Master Trainer program for customs modernization.


3. (SBU) Advisor also met with M. Pierre Faucherand, Customs
and Taxation representative at the Delegation of the European
Commission. The EU provides Customs assistance through the
framework of its Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with
Thailand. The top two issues for the EU are security and
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). The EU has sponsored
study visits for Customs officials to the United Kingdom and
Germany. It also sponsored a meeting last year of senior
ASEAN Customs officials in Brussels. M. Faucherand noted
that Customs reform is a difficult challenge, with varied
interests and corruption regional challenges. He assessed
that more automation and pressure from the trade community
would be helpful. The EU uses a system designating
Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs, similar to the US's
Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism - C-TPAT) to
expedite trade for trustworthy businesses. He has seen some
progress in industry acceptance of greater security measures
over the last few years, though there is still much room for
improvement.

TRAINING CONDUCTED


4. (U) Technical experts from Commonwealth Trading Partners
(CTP) conducted a Legal-Regulatory Workshop in Hanoi, April
8-10. Twenty-one senior and mid-level officials attended,
with representatives from Customs and the Ministries of
Defense, Justice, Industry and Trade, Foreign Affairs and
Public Security. Participants received Vietnamese and
English versions of all presentations, a Vietnamese
translation of the EU Control Lists, and model export control
laws. More detailed comments will be reported separately.

EQUIPMENT DELIVERED


5. (U) A CD master copy and 50 hard copies of the Thai
translation of the EU Dual-Use and Munitions Control Lists
was received on April 25. These materials will be used
during the DOE-led Strategic Trade Control Licensing Workshop
in May, and the National Control List Workshop in July.

IMMINENT TRAINING/EQUIPMENT UPDATE


6. (U) DOE will lead a Strategic Trade Control Licensing
Workshop in Bangkok, May 14-16. A major equipment donation
for Vietnamese Customs and Border Army is scheduled for May

21.


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SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS


7. (U) None.
JOHN