EXBS: THAILAND/VIETNAM ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING

UNCLAS BANGKOK 002588 SIPDIS DEPT FOR ISN/ECC YWONG, ACHURCH, ROWEN, EAP/MLS DRICHELSOPH, BBLACKSHAW CBP/INA FOR BMCCRAY DEPT OF ENERGY FOR NNSA TPERRY AMEMBASSY HANOI FOR JBOCKLAGE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TH VN SUBJECT: EXBS: THAILAND/VIETNAM ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE - AUGUST 2008 SUMMARY ¶1. (U) Three Thai officials and EXBS FSN attended the Export Control Academy, August 11-15 in Athens, GA. Commonwealth Trading Partners (CTP) conducted Tracker User Training in Hanoi, August 11-14. Advisor represented ISN Bureau at a Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP) seminar on export control enforcement in Manila, Aug 25-26. The Thai government requested Customs assistance during a POTUS visit to Thailand, Aug 6-7. Advisor will be in US for semi-annual consultations and personal leave, Aug 31 - Sep 13. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS ¶2. (U) Advisor represented ISN Bureau at a Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP) seminar on export control enforcement in Manila, Aug 25-26. Thirty-five participants from Asia, Europe and the U.S. attended. The group adopted a Memorandum with recommendations for strengthening strategic trade management practices in legislation, licensing, enforcement, government-industry relations and capacity building. The Memorandum will be forwarded for consideration by the ASEAN Regional Forum. Advisor submitted an after-action report separately by e-mail. ¶3. (U) Advisor contributed to embassy support efforts for the President's visit to Thailand by serving as Site Officer for the President's Media Roundtable on Burma policy, Aug 7. At the conclusion of the visit, the Thai government submitted a list of requested assistance to the U.S. delegation, which included capacity-building for Customs and port officials. Advisor is working with post's CBP Attache to obtain more specific details from the Thai government. TRAINING CONDUCTED ¶4. (U) Thai EXBS FSN and officials from Thai Customs, the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Industry attended the University of Georgia's Export Control Academy, August 11-15, in Athens, GA. The Customs official stayed for the full two weeks, as the second week focused on enforcement. Participants felt the course was demanding, but worthwhile. We will work to identify additional officials from a range of Thai and Vietnamese ministries and other organizations for future courses. ¶5. (U) Commonwealth Trading Partners (CTP) conducted Tracker User Training in Hanoi, August 11-14. Licensing officials and system administrators from the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (VARANS) attended. The Deputy Director for International Cooperation from Customs also attended. This was the third and final segment of new Tracker system training for Vietnam. At the close of the training, Dr. Le Chi Dung of VARANS and Mr. Le Xuan Hue of Customs made an appeal for additional assistance in expanding the Tracker network and functions. Advisor and CTP trainers agreed to consult with ISN/ECC in preparing a proposal for SRV review. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED ¶6. (U) Various Tracker system accessories were delivered to VARANS the week of Aug 18. Installation and testing is in progress. IMMINENT TRAINING/EQUIPMENT UPDATE ¶7. (U) None. Advisor will be in the U.S. for personal leave and semi-annual consultations, Aug 31- Sep 13. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS ¶8. (U) Vietnam EXBS FSN is due to start work on Sep 3. Advisor will visit Hanoi, Sep 22-23, to conduct orientation calls with EXBS FSN on SRV interlocutors. JOHN