EXBS: THAILAND/VIETNAM ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 001705 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 - MAY 2008 REF: HANOI 00607 SUMMARY ¶1. (U) A Technical Introduction to Strategic Trade Control Licensing Workshop was conducted in Bangkok, May 14-16. Almost one-half million dollars of equipment was donated to Vietnam Customs and Border Army on May 21. Advisor and POLOFF met with officials from several Vietnamese ministries. An additional vehicle donation for the Vietnam Border Army will occur in late June. The new Thai EXBS FSN begins work on June 2. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS ¶2. (U) On May 21, Advisor and POLOFF met with Ms. Nguyen Minh Hang of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation. Another official from the North America Division also attended. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the importance of an effective strategic trade control system and assistance offered through the EXBS program to achieve that goal. Advisor pointed out that maintaining Vietnam's impressive rate of economic growth depended upon protecting the system of international trade from misuse by terrorists and proliferators of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Advisor thanked Ms. Hang for Vietnam's excellent cooperation with the EXBS program thus far, including seaport interdiction training, licensing and border control equipment and seminars. ¶3. (U) Advisor noted that on April 25 the UN Security Council had passed Resolution 1810, extending the mandate of the 1540 Committee another three years and encouraging States to submit action plans for 1540 implementation. Advisor also noted that Vietnam had requested in its 2005 report to the Committee assistance in detecting, identifying and controlling WMD and related materials. Advisor stated that additional EXBS assistance would focus on strengthening Vietnam's legal-regulatory structure for strategic trade controls. Such an effort would require greater interagency support and coordination. A Legal-Regulatory Workshop had been conducted in April, and a Technical Introduction to Licensing Workshop was being planned for July. Future events might include workshops on National Control Lists, Government-Industry Outreach and other topics - we would welcome their suggestions. Ms. Hang thanked Advisor and POLOFF for the briefing and EXBS assistance, and advised she would share the information with appro priate colleagues. ¶4. (U) On May 21, Advisor and POLOFF had dinner with Mr. Nguyen Toan of the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Col Nguyen Ngoc Cu of the Vietnam Border Army, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Dr. Nguyen Nu Hoai Vi of the Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Control. These officials have been the most proactive and accommodating in facilitating EXBS assistance to date. The purpose of the dinner was to strengthen our working relationship with these officials, and to encourage a greater sense of interagency teamwork for strengthening export and border controls. TRAINING CONDUCTED ¶5. (U) Experts from the Department of Energy conducted a Technical Introduction to Strategic Trade Control Licensing Workshop in Bangkok, May 14-16. The agenda focused on foundations of a comprehensive trade control system, a survey of the EU Control List, and an introduction to risk analysis. Twenty-five mid-level officials from ten Thai government agencies attended. The senior counterterrorism official from the National Security Council provided opening remarks. Participants received Thai and English versions of all presentations and the EU Control Lists. Advisor and DOE BANGKOK 00001705 002 OF 002 instructors met with key officials from the Thai Ministries of Commerce and Industry, Office of Atoms for Peace and Board of Trade to begin planning for an Enterprise Outreach function in the fall. More detailed comments will be reported separately. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED ¶6. (U) On May 21, border security equipment worth approximately $480,000 was delivered to the General Department of Vietnam Customs and the Vietnam Border Army. Items included two stationary and one mobile x-ray machines, CT-30 kits, radiation pagers, radioactive isotope identifiers, and GPS units. IMMINENT TRAINING/EQUIPMENT UPDATE ¶7. (U) Six four-wheel drive Toyota Landcruisers will be donated to the Vietnamese Border Army in late June. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS ¶8. (U) The new Thai EXBS Program Management Assistant will start work on June 2. She will be attending the EXBS Annual Conference, June 10-12 in Washington, DC. JOHN