Thai Concerns About 100 Percent Cargo Scanning

UNCLAS BANGKOK 002321 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KHLS EWWT ETRD TH SUBJECT: Thai Concerns About 100 Percent Cargo Scanning ¶1. SUMMARY: This is an action request, see paragraph 7. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the local American business community have expressed concern about the practical implications of future U.S. regulations on maritime freight. The QImplementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007Q (9/11 Act) indicates that by July 1, 2012, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will be required to perform 100 percent cargo scanning on all freight bound for the United States. The MFA has requested a detailed explanation on how this will be accomplished and raised questions about the potential ramifications for trade. It has organized a seminar to take place September 21-23, 2009 in Bangkok and at local ports to address the issue. END SUMMARY. ¶2. The 9/11 Act (Section 1701) requires that Qa container that was loaded on a vessel in a foreign port shall not enter the United States (either directly or via a foreign port) unless the container was scanned by nonintrusive imaging equipment and radiation detection equipment before it was loaded on a vessel,Q with an implementation date of July 1, 2012. Although the Act allows DHS a range of exceptions to extend the deadline indefinitely, the MFA has requested an explanation of what this act will require specifically in order to prepare their major ports as soon as possible. (NOTE: Thailand has been a loyal partner on related security initiatives. The Container Security Initiative (CSI) has been operational for several years at the Port of Laem Chabang, and the Megaports Initiative (MI) has been opera I]3X;M5Qams and long delays, and will Royal Thai Customs receive sufficient warning before regulations are put in place? What role will the USG play in these scanning procedures? ¶6. The local American business community has echoed these questions and shares these concerns. The head of the transportation committee for the American Chamber of Commerce, who will participate in this seminar, has stated that American businesspeople are not aware of the details of existing initiatives and that the MFA is right to raise these issues both for Thai interests and for the sake of American businesses that are involved in import and export in Thailand. ¶7. ACTION REQUEST: Post requests relevant guidance by cable or email from the Department of State, DOE, and DHS regarding questions of the MFA and business community. PostQs point of contact is Anthony Pirnot (mail: pirnotav@state.gov; phone: 66-2-205-4698; fax: 66-2-254-2839). END ACTION REQUEST.