UN AWARENESS AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS -- UNSCR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 099692 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL AORC KPAO PTER UNSC KGIC SUBJECT: UN AWARENESS AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS -- UNSCR 1540/1803 REF: A. STATE 167287 (07) -- U.S. FOLLOW UP REPORT ¶B. STATE 43490 -- VIEWS ON ADOPTION OF 1810 ¶C. STATE 8246 -- USG STRATEGY FOR RENEWAL ¶D. BRUSSELS 248 -- P3 CONSULTATIONS RENEWAL SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED -- PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY ¶1. (U) This is an action request for USUN, see para 5. ¶2. (SBU) Summary. On September 4, Panama,s UN rep. attending the Global Initiative Workshop at the Marshall Center in Garmisch, Germany expressed the desire for more training related to UNSCR 1540 and UNSCR 1803 implementation. In response, the U.S. del underscored the wide range of assistance programs available, including the Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) program. Panama,s interest in training gives the USG an additional opportunity to engage further at the nonproliferation expert level with the 1540 Committee ) a long-term strategic goal of the USG in furthering implementation ) and to help better educate UN officials about our programs to build capacity. End summary. ¶3. (SBU) Background for Post only. The United States has provided at various fora a thorough overview of USG efforts to implement UNSCR 1540 and its willingness to help facilitate provisions of assistance through bilateral training and workshops. (Ref A) Subsequently, the USG encouraged language in resolution 1810 that extended the Committee for three years and included an operative paragraph that tasked the Committee to consider making better use of existing funding mechanisms for implementation. Washington views the Panamanian interest as an opportunity to follow up on the July 2007 donor meeting in New York and for establishing a USG view on responding to resolution 1810,s operative paragraph calling for a Committee discussion and recommendations before December 31, 2008 on funding mechanisms and assistance overall. ¶4. (U) Regarding Panama, Post should be aware that Panama has recently participated in an EXBS-sponsored Targeting and Risk Management (TRM) course for Panamanian Customs officials (August 25-29, 2008). The TRM course is designed to provide hands-on training for Customs officers in the detection, identification, and interdiction of contraband, with an emphasis on countering cross-border proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, conventional arms, and related materials. The training was the first EXBS program engagement with Panama in several years * previously EXBS provided legal expertise in the drafting of export control legislation, which has yet to be enacted * and represents the beginning of ramped up cooperation with this key transit and transshipment point. Panamanian officials welcomed this training opportunity, praised the instructors, and expressed interest in additional nonproliferation and export control-related training. EXBS is preparing a proposal for follow on events and has increased its FY08/09 budget for Panama to fully respond to Panamanian interest in enhancing its strategic trade controls and in complying with UNSCR 1540 (as well as UNSCR 1810). (Note. Although Washington views the EXBS program as a significant way to implement UNSCR 1540, we would want UN officials to understand that there are a wide variety of assistance programs related to UNSCR 1540 implementation. EXBS training in general is organized bilaterally through the program officers in ISN/ECC. End note.) OBJECTIVES STATE 00099692 002 OF 002 ¶5. (SBU) Washington requests USUN to pursue the following objectives which are considered fundamental to our funding of overall nonproliferation assistance programs in the USG. See Refs B-C for general talking points to draw from as needed. -- Coordinate with Panamanian UN delegation for an overview briefing of USG programs to be presented in New York by the 1540 Coordinator and two program managers from State and Department of Energy NLT October 10 ) this briefing may be expanded to include other interested UN delegations. -- Concurrently, organize consultations with 1540 Coordinator and program managers and other 1540 Committee members as well as likely donor and recipient countries to discuss UNSCR 1810 ideas with regard to operative paragraph 13 and existing funding mechanisms. ¶6. (U) Reporting deadline. Post is requested to respond NLT September 30. POINT OF CONTACT ¶7. (U) Please contact U.S. 1540 Coordinator Tom Wuchte at (202) 736-4275 for any further background. RICE