RESULTS OF DOHA REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON THE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 DOHA 000203 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL AORC KPAO PTER UNSC KNNP QA SUBJECT: RESULTS OF DOHA REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF UNSCR RESOLUTION 1540 Note: Post is transmitting this cable on behalf of the U.S. delegation to the Doha Regional Workshop on the implementation of UNSCR 1540. Point of Contact is U.S. 1540 Coordinator Thomas Wuchte, 202-736-4275 who can be reached at WuchteTA@state.gov. ¶1. (U) Summary: The Regional Workshop on the Implementation of UNSCR Resolution 1540 was held in Doha, Qatar, on March 8-11, 2009. It was organized by the United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs in cooperation with the Government of Qatar, and was funded by the European Union, the Government of Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States. Participants included representatives from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, as well as representatives from regional organizations, League of Arab States, Gulf Cooperation Council, and Middle East North Africa Financial Action Task Force. In addition, co-sponsors, various UN offices and international organizations were in attendance. The workshop focused on national and regional implementation of UNSCR 1540, discussed priorities of resolution 1810 which extended the mandate of the 1540 Committee until April, 2011, and encouraged countries to use the UNSCR 1540 Committee assistance request template to facilitate assistance cooperation related to the implementation of the resolution. End summary. Objectives for the UN 1540 Workshop -------------- -------------- ¶2. (U) The overall objective of the workshop was to enhance understanding of UNSCR 1540, discuss implementation efforts in national, regional, and international level, and enhance risk assessment and management, increase border security, without hindering trade. Agenda topics also covered the following: National Mechanisms to Monitor Exports, Re-exports, Transit, Transshipment; Trade Facilitation and Security, Approaches to Capacity-Building (International Capacity, Regional Efforts, and International Programs); Examination Techniques and Technical Detection Capabilities; Cooperation with Industry and Academic Community; and Technical Assistance Template. Highlights and Observations -------------- ¶3. (U) The workshop provided the opportunity for participants to make presentations on measures taken or intend to take by their Governments for the implementation of UNSCR 1540 and to address practical issues of implementation, particularly with respect to border security. Many countries noted their concern that increased controls at the borders or seaports will delay trade. Others noted that sophisticated technology helps secure trade without slowing down the flow of trade. ¶4. (U) Workshop Agenda: This was a four-day workshop. The first day of the workshop started with opening remarks from the Government of Qatar, Chairman of the NPCW, 1540 Committee ) Vice Chairman, Council of the European Union, United States, and UN Office of Disarmament Affairs. During the opening remarks session, the speakers underlined the importance of UNSCR 1540, encouraged the participants to use this event as an opportunity for cooperation and request assistance for implementing resolution 1540. Following the opening remarks session, Mr. Emad Ben-Shaban, member of the UNSCR 1540 Committee, provided an overview of the resolution, methods of monitoring the implementation, status of the implementation, and the future of the resolution by adopting resolution 1810 (2008). Ms. Olivia Bosch, Coordinator, UN Committee Experts, discussed the nexus between nonproliferation and counterterrorism. During the session, National Mechanisms to Monitor Exports, Re-Exports, Transit, and Transshipments, the countries present made remarks about their national systems. The Government of Qatar briefed on Qatar,s efforts to implement resolution 1540. Qatar has adopted legislation and is in support of controlling dangerous materials. There is a national committee (Customs, Armed Forces, Environment and other ministries) that meet on monthly basis to coordinate and discuss OPCW, CWC, and other related issues. Qatar has conducted many workshops on nuclear and chemical materials in collaboration with the NATO, IAEA, and other international organizations. Qatar has dual-use chemicals and has declared it in the national report DOHA 00000203 002 OF 004 submitted to the UNSCR 1540 Committee. Qatar is also conducting industry outreach to factories and businesses, informing them of the dangers of these materials. In addition, Qatar is working on drafting legislation to control biological weapons and has passed the law to control chemical weapons. Qatar also stated that it has put a proposal forward to develop an international database among States, including those not parties to the NPT, CWC, BWC in order to link the ports and exchange information on nuclear, chemical and biological materials imported or in transit, with a notification and licensing mechanisms to strengthen control and to prevent these materials going to the wrong hands. Following Qatar, Kuwait made brief remarks about its current system. There is a National Committee, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which coordinates resolution 1540. Kuwait will be submitting an updated report to the UNSCR 1540 Committee soon. Kuwait has a list of prohibited items and many ministries are involved in securing them such as Ministry of Health and Ministry of Environment. The representative of the Gulf Cooperation Council pointed out that there is excellent cooperation and coordination among the Gulf Member States through the Gulf Customs Union. Jordan also presented on Jordan,s current status of the implementing the resolution. The Jordanians emphasized changes in Jordan,s nuclear law and structure of the nuclear regulatory committee. The delegation did not address Jordan,s adoption of a national control list modeled after the European Union list, and did not mentioned that Jordan is in the process of drafting an export control law. Egypt also presented on changes the GOE has made since the adoption of resolution 1540. Egypt is currently reviewing its nuclear law and will submit a revised law to the Parliament. In 2006, Egypt,s decrees 420 and 421 were passed to include controls of dual-use items. Also, its terrorism law was amended in 2005 to control all items related to weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The representative from Syria made brief remarks on Syria,s commitment to implementing UNSCR ¶1540. Mr. Hussein Ali pointed out that Syria has a National Committee to oversee the implementation of the resolution. He stated that Syria does not have any WMD and does want to acquire any. He also stated that Syria is not helping other countries to get materials to develop WMD and in 1996 Syria ratified the NPT. He also stated that the IAEA visited Syria and has stated that the nuclear reactor does not present any problems. Also, Syria has signed all relevant treaties and has legislation in place to deal with terrorism and weapons. Yemen,s presentation focused on border security and enforcement practices. The delegation emphasized that Yemen has well equipped Coast Guard to monitor its long coastline. Oman did not make a presentation, but handed out a written statement on Oman,s efforts to implement the resolution. The delegation from the UAE showcased its recently enacted export controls. Dubai Customs presented on UAE,s export control which was enacted in August 2007. The UAE has a control list for dual-use items and also works with international partners such as IAEA, BAFA and OPCW to fully comply with international standards. On the enforcement side, Customs conducts daily random inspections and it also has a database with names of people, companies to do risk analysis. The Iraqi delegation also discussed the current control in place. Iraq recently passed legislation to control chemical weapons and joint the CWC. ¶5. (U) During the presentations of the participating countries, important questions and comments were generated by participants. The delegation from Egypt asked if there is mechanism in place for the UNSCR 1540 Committee to verify if countries are implementing the resolution. Also, Egypt pointed out the resolution is not equitable because it was adopted by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and was imposed upon the rest of the members. Also, there were questions if there is a UN definition of terrorism. The first day concluded with presentations and discussion on risk assessment and management. Kuwait has an automated system and has funded a private company to customize this system. Also, Kuwait has investigations unit and conduct intelligence analysis on the manifests. In Egypt, Customs is in charge of exports and collects revenues. Everyone agreed that in the past customs had the role of revenue collector, but in recent years, customs has taken law enforcement responsibilities. The EU representative from Germany,s Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) discussed Germany,s risk management system and licensing procedures. DOHA 00000203 003 OF 004 ¶6. (U) Day Two: The discussion was centered on trade facilitation and security. Mr. Richard Cupitt, UN 1540 Committee Expert, discussed how trade controls actually increases trade. He pointed out that trade controls increase confidence that among trading partners that ports are safe to move shipments through their ports and that dual-use materials will not end up in the wrong hands. Also, WCO presentation focused on trade facilitation and compliance with 1540 obligations. However, remarks made Dr. Pavel Klucky raised many questions and comments. Mr. Klucky focused on the importance of Zangger Committee, provided a detail background of the creation of the Committee, and recent developments that came out of the October discussions. Egypt objected that some countries receive special treatment such as India, which has conducted nuclear weapons testing and is not a NPT member. It was pointed out that there are shortfalls in implementing international instruments. Also, questions were raised on how the 1540 Committee deals with countries with nuclear facilities like Congo. They inquired if efforts have been made for such countries to implement export controls. (Note: The UNODA made changes to the agenda. Presentation from Day Three Non-State Actors was moved to Day Two.) Mr. Furukawa addressed the danger of non-state actors and terrorists acquiring WMD. Participants emphasized the importance of having a legal definition of terrorism to assist with the implementation of resolution ¶1540. The participants also suggested coordination of resolution 1540 with 1267 and 1373, which deal with counter terrorism. The day concluded with presentations on regional efforts to implement resolution 1540 and the importance of cooperation and coordination between neighboring countries. The day concluded with representatives from League of Arab States and Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force presented on existing regional cooperation and also emphasized the need to include regional organizations in discussions regarding the implementation of 1540. (Note: The Gulf Cooperation Council did not present). ¶7. (U) Day Three: The port visit was cancelled, but the Government of Qatar provided a virtual tour of the port and its operations. Mr. Mohd Ahmad Al Muhannadi, Director of Sea Customs Department, Customs and Ports General Authority discussed Qatar,s procedures to strengthen controls on exports and imports on seaports. Currently, Doha has only imports and exports, not transit container cargo. In 2014, Qatar will open its new port which will have transit container traffic and free zone. For air cargo, Qatar requires a manifest, but does not conduct inspections. Qatar is working on establishing a new department for risk management. (Note: The participants expressed disappointment for the cancellation of the port visit.) The second half of the day focused on capacity building and available assistance programs. The U.S. presented on the State Department,s Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) program, and Chemical Security and Biosecurity Engagement program, and Department of Energy presented on the Megaports Program. Also, the U.K. and BAFA presented on their respective outreach programs. The day closed with a presentation on the procedures of drafting legislation by VERTIC. VERTIC focused on the importance of controlling dual-use technology in drafting of legislation. Mr. Ralf Trapp, German Consultant, talked about the new dual-use emerging technologies and there is a need to be vigilant and revised existing legislation or control lists to reflect the changes in dual-use technology. ¶8. (U) Day Four: The last day started with a brief presentation on the use of the technical assistance template. The organized devoted only twenty-minutes for this section on the agenda, but the participants had many questions about the usefulness of the template, should the country contact directly international organizations like IAEA or go through the UN 1540 Committee to request assistance. The UN 1540 Committee Experts encouraged the participants to request assistance through the UN 1540 Committee and the Committee will much the request with appropriate donors. The Iraqi delegation expressed disappointment that a recent request for equipment submitted to the UN 1540 Committee has not been answered. They suggested that countries contact directly the organizations or assistance programs available because in their experience the response is faster. Participants had questions whether requests for assistance have been rejected for political reasons, and what is the timeframe for the UN 1540 Committee to respond to a request. The 1540 Committee DOHA 00000203 004 OF 004 experts responded that the committee is a channel of facilitation and does not reject any requests, but did not respond on how long it takes for the committee to respond to countries that have requested assistance. Following this lively discussion, the representative from Mongolia talked about the success Mongolia had requesting assistance from 1540 Committee and security radiation detection equipment for its borders, which was provided by the U.S. Department of Energy,s Second Line of Defense Program. The presenter focused on the importance to have a detail description of the project when completing the form technical assistance template. The UNODA allocated time for bilateral discussions and explore possible cooperative steps. The UN 1540 Committee experts had scheduled meetings with the participants, but there was no formal request from the countries to meet with representatives from the various assistance programs. Day four concluded with closing remarks given by Mr. Andreas Launer, Austria, Mr. Enrique Ochoa, Vice Chair of the 1540 Committee, Ms. Annalisa Giannella, Council of Europe, Ms. Varvara Pikoulas Psaros, US Representative and Mr. Eamonn Lorimer, UK and Mr. Abdulla Nasser Al-Sulaiti, ViceChairman of NCPW. Each of the panelists emphasized the importance of the resolution 1540 and the challenges of implementing it. They encouraged the participating countries to submit not only national reports, but national implementation plans and to complete the template requesting technical assistance. Also, the panelists emphasized the resources are available and countries who need assistance should take advantage of the assistance programs available. ¶9. (U) This cable was cleared with the U.S. 1540 Coordinator Thomas Wuchte, 202-736-4275 who can be reached at WuchteTA@state.gov for further information and background. LeBaron