EXBS: THAILAND/VIETNAM/CAMBODIA ADVISOR MONTHLY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 003075

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR ISN/ECC JFRIEDMAN, ACHURCH, ROWEN, LSPRINGER,
EAP/MLS DSMITH, MFORINO, AWEST
CBP/INA FOR BMCCRAY
DEPT OF ENERGY FOR NNSA TPERRY
AMEMBASSY HANOI FOR JBOCKLAGE
AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR FOR MMCNAMARA
AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH FOR MSWEENEY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TH VN CB JP
SUBJECT: EXBS: THAILAND/VIETNAM/CAMBODIA ADVISOR MONTHLY
REPORTING CABLE - NOVEMBER 2009

BANGKOK 00003075 001.2 OF 002


SUMMARY


1. (U) Advisor presented a briefing on the EXBS Program to
Thai, Philippines and Indonesian officials during DTRA's WMD
Interdiction Workshop at the International Law Enforcement
Academy (ILEA),Bangkok, Nov. 2-6. Advisor visited DEA's
Airport Interdiction Program facility in Chiang Mai,
Thailand, Nov. 10. Advisor met with Australian Federal
Police officials to discuss airport interdiction programs on
Nov. 11. Advisor met with a nonproliferation analyst from
the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) to
discuss nonproliferation issues in Southeast Asia on Nov. 12.
Advisor visited Phnom Penh Port and observed an ASEAN-JP
port security exercise at Sihanoukville Port, Nov. 16-18.
DEA chemical analysis equipment has been shipped to Vietnam's
Ministry of Public Security. EXBS will complete the grant
documentation and provide WMD technical training. Thai and
Vietnam Program Assistants attended the LES conference in
Frankfurt, Nov. 16-19. Advisor will attend a Council for
Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP) Export
Control Experts Meeting in Hanoi, Dec. 8-10. DOE will
conduct a Commodity Identification Training Workshop in
Hanoi, Dec. 15-17.

SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS


2. (U) Advisor visited DEA's Airport Interdiction Program
(AIP) facility in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Nov. 10. DOD's Joint
Interagency Task Force - West (JIATF-W) provided additional
equipment and technical support. The AIP is focused on
interdiction of illicit narcotics, but there may be
applications for illicit WMD commodities as well. DEA is
considering placing an additional AIP facility at
Suvarnabhumi Airport, a major air cargo hub. Advisor will
continue to investigate potential DEA/EXBS/JIATF-W
interdiction collaboration, including during proposed U.S.
CBP-delivered Airport Interdiction Training later this year.


3. (U) Advisor met with Australian Federal Police (AFP)
officials to discuss airport interdiction programs on Nov.

11. The AFP provides fraudulent document assistance at
Suvarnabhumi Airport, but has no interdiction program there
yet. AFP officials stated that most drug interdictions at
the airport are accomplished by Customs officials. This
suggests that the nascent Thai National Commodity
Identification Training program (DOE is currently developing
with the Thai Customs Academy) and proposed EXBS Airport
Interdiction Training would be very useful in equipping Thai
Customs officers at Suvarnabhumi Airport to conduct WMD
interdictions as well.


4. (U) Advisor and POLOFF met with a nonproliferation analyst
from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)
to discuss nonproliferation issues in Southeast Asia on Nov.

12. IISS is well-known in the region for organizing the
annual Shangri La Defense Ministers' Dialogue in Singapore.
IISS recently published a dossier with
nonproliferation-related policy recommendations for Southeast
Asia, and continues to study regional developments. IISS
will continue to be a useful resource for stimulating
regional dialogue and targeting EXBS nonproliferation
assistance.

TRAINING CONDUCTED


5. (U) Advisor presented a briefing on the EXBS Program to
Thai, Philippines and Indonesian officials during DTRA's WMD
Interdiction Workshop at the International Law Enforcement
Academy (ILEA),Bangkok, Nov. 2-6. Course instructors
included officials from DTRA, FBI and CBP. This was DTRA's
first regional training event in Southeast Asia. The
inter-agency approach was well-received by participants;
recommend additional DTRA events.


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6. (U) Advisor visited Phnom Penh port and observed an
ASEAN-JP port security exercise at Sihanoukville port, Nov.
16-18. Phnom Penh Port is relatively small (approximately 50k
TEU volume in 2009) and does not handle any transit cargo
from upriver in China. Therefore, its priority for EXBS
assistance is low. The Japan-sponsored exercise at
Sihanoukville Port was comprehensive and well-attended, with
15 Cambodian agencies participating and observers from most
other ASEAN countries, France and Australia, in addition to
the U.S. It's a good model for potential EXBS regional
training, pending resolution of funding and policy issues.

EQUIPMENT DELIVERED


7. (U) DEA chemical analysis equipment has been shipped to
the Forensic Science Institute of Vietnam's Ministry of
Public Security (MPS). EXBS will complete the grant
documentation and coordinate with DOE for WMD technical
training. Hanoi Program Assistant is coordinating with DEA
and MPS for a hand-over ceremony in December.

IMMINENT TRAINING/EQUIPMENT UPDATE


8. (U) Advisor will attend and give a briefing on regional
EXBS activities at a CSCAP Export Control Experts Meeting in
Hanoi, Dec. 8-10. DOE will conduct a Commodity
Identification Training Workshop in Hanoi, Dec. 15-17.


9. (U) The final phase of Vietnam's Tracker Demonstration
Project has been postponed pending approval of VAT exemption
for grant assistance by the GVN. A visit by Vietnamese
officials to Korea for briefings on the YesTrade export
control system is still being planned.

SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS


10. (U) None.


11. (U) Points of contact for the EXBS Program are: William
Comley, Regional Advisor, comleywa@state.gov, (66-2)
205-4621; Kamolrat Chotesungnoen (Dao),Thai Program
Assistant, Kamolrat@state.gov, (66-2) 205-4403; Nguyen Thi
Huong Giang, Vietnam Program Assistant, NguyenGH@state.gov,
(84-4) 3850-6241.
JOHN