EXBS: THAILAND/VIETNAM/CAMBODIA ADVISOR MONTHLY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 000612 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 CB TH VN SUBJECT: EXBS: THAILAND/VIETNAM/CAMBODIA ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE - FEBRUARY 2009 BANGKOK 00000612 001.2 OF 002 SUMMARY ¶1. (U) Advisor and Program Assistant visited border crossing points in northeast Thailand Feb. 4-12. Advisor discussed plans for an anti-corruption workshop with the Thai National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The electrical generator for the Rapiscan van in Hue arrived in Vietnam. The U.S. Department of Energy conducted Commodity Identification Training (CIT) in Bangkok, Feb. 23-25. Advisor and Program Assistant conducted EXBS orientation briefings for U.S. embassy and Cambodian officials in Phnom Penh, Feb. 26-27. Commonwealth Trading Partners (CTP) will conduct an assessment in Vietnam, Mar. 2-6, for expansion of the Tracker licensing system. CTP will conduct an Interagency Relations and Infrastructure Workshop in Hanoi, Mar. 17-19. The U.S. Coast Guard will conduct a maritime security assessment in Vietnam, Mar. 23-27. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS ¶2. (U) Advisor and Program Assistant visited border crossing points in northeast Thailand, Feb. 4-12. This region is significant because the infrastructure projects being constructed as part of the Asian Development Bank's Greater Mekong Subregion program will significantly expand trade through the area. The first leg of the trip was sponsored by the RTG Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB),and focused on cross-border drug control efforts in the area known as the "Emerald Triangle" (border area between Thailand, Laos and Cambodia). Eighty-four Thai and foreign officials from various law enforcement agencies attended. Crossing points at Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan were visited with embassy POLOFF. Thai Customs is modernizing some of its equipment and procedures; new vehicle x-ray scanners were observed at the bridge sites at Nong Khai and Mukdahan, and preparations are being made for joint Thai-Lao Customs inspection teams. Potential EXBS assistance includes border interdiction training and equipment (including radiation detectors) and commodity identification training. Additional details were forwarded to ECC separately. ¶3. (U) Advisor discussed plans for an anti-corruption workshop with the Thai National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on Feb. 18. The NACC's long-term objective is to host the 14th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) in ¶2010. The NACC felt the EXBS event would be a useful addition to their program. Advisor will discuss potential focus areas and agendas with post's DOJ Resident Legal Advisor and the American Bar Association's Bangkok representative. ¶4. (U) Advisor and Program Assistant conducted EXBS orientation briefings for U.S. embassy and Cambodian officials in Phnom Penh, Feb. 26-27. Advisor and embassy officials met with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Customs, CamControl Department, the Interior Ministry, Immigration and the National Counterterrorism Commission. Embassy and RGC officials were very supportive of the EXBS program. The first event will be a Senior Policy Exchange in Washington DC in May. TRAINING CONDUCTED ¶5. (U) The U.S. Department of Energy conducted Commodity Identification Training (CIT) in Bangkok, Feb. 23-25. Trainers included specialists in nuclear, chemical and biological materials. A total of 30 Thai officials from 16 agencies participated. The workshop included an additional session designed to help Thailand set up its own National Commodity Identification Training program. Advisor will continue to coordinate with relevant Thai agencies concerning this new training program. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED BANGKOK 00000612 002.2 OF 002 ¶6. (U) The electrical generator for the Rapiscan van in Hue arrived in Vietnam at the port of Haiphong on Feb. 19. Arrangements for further transportation and installation are being handled by the contractor. IMMINENT TRAINING/EQUIPMENT UPDATE ¶7. (U) Commonwealth Trading Partners (CTP) will conduct an assessment for expansion of the Tracker licensing system in Vietnam. CTP will conduct an Interagency Relations and Infrastructure Workshop in Hanoi, Mar. 17-19. The U.S. Coast Guard will conduct a maritime security assessment in Vietnam, Mar. 23-27. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS ¶8. (U) None. JOHN