EXBS: THAILAND/VIETNAM/CAMBODIA ADVISOR MONTHLY

UNCLAS BANGKOK 000250 SIPDIS DEPT FOR ISN/ECC YWONG, ACHURCH, ROWEN, LSPRINGER, EAP/MLS DRICHELSOPH, BBLACKSHAW, AWEST CBP/INA FOR BMCCRAY DEPT OF ENERGY FOR NNSA TPERRY AMEMBASSY HANOI FOR JBOCKLAGE AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR FOR PZARESK AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH FOR MSWEENEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TH VN CB SUBJECT: EXBS: THAILAND/VIETNAM/CAMBODIA ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE - JANUARY 2009 SUMMARY ¶1. (U) The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) conducted Boarding Officer Courses at Laem Chabang and Bangkok ports, Jan. 12-23. Advisor conducted consultations in Washington, D.C., Jan. 6-8. The electrical generator for the Rapiscan van in Hue was shipped from the UK and is due to arrive in Vietnam on Feb. 9. Advisor and Program Assistant will visit border crossing points in northeast Thailand Feb. 4-12. The U.S. Department of Energy will conduct Commodity Identification Training (CIT) in Bangkok, Feb. 23-25. Advisor will conduct EXBS orientation briefings for U.S. embassy and Cambodian officials in Phnom Penh, Feb. 26-27. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS ¶2. (U) EXBS Program Assistant in Hanoi briefed Vietnamese officials on proposed activities for 2009. The GVN has agreed with the activities as planned; there were no additional suggestions. TRAINING CONDUCTED ¶3. (U) The U.S. Coast Guard conducted Boarding Officer Courses at Laem Chabang and Bangkok ports, Jan. 12-23. The training focused on tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) for maritime boardings, especially WMD interdictions. Marine Department sponsored the training, coordinating participation from several different port and maritime related agencies. Officials from the Thai National Security Council and Ministry of Foreign Affairs also participated. In addition to the WMD instruction provided by a USCG team member from the Pacific Strike Force, the Thai Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP) presented a briefing on detection and handling of nuclear materials. OAP has been very active in EXBS events, and have been eager to expand their role as a technical resource for other Thai agencies. The training was extremely well-received by the Thai interagency. A total of 56 officials from 11 agencies participated. Advisor will distribute EXBS-procured radiation pagers based upon division of responsibilities observed during the training. Marine Dept. has requested additional training on International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code issues; Advisor is coordinating with USCG and ISN/ECC. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED ¶4. (U) None. IMMINENT TRAINING/EQUIPMENT UPDATE ¶5. (U) The electrical generator for the Rapiscan van in Hue was shipped from the UK and is due to arrive in Vietnam on Feb. 9. Vietnam Customs has been notified. ¶6. (U) The U.S. Department of Energy's International Nonproliferation Export Control Program (INECP) will conduct Commodity Identification Training (CIT) in Bangkok, Feb. 23-25. Related training to set up a Thai national CIT program will also be conducted. ¶7. (U) Advisor will conduct EXBS orientation briefings for U.S. embassy and Cambodian officials in Phnom Penh, Feb. 26-27. Initial proposed activities include a Senior Policy Exchange, Export Control Academy and International Seaport Interdiction Training (ISIT). EXBS may also be able to supplement Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) Phnom Penh's efforts to strengthen maritime coordination. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS ¶8. (U) None. JOHN