REQUEST FOR UPDATE ON PT PRIMA TRANSSHIPMENT INVESTIGATION

UNCLAS JAKARTA 000432 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR EAP/MTS USTR FOR KELHERS, BWEISEL SINGAPORE FOR JEFFREY NII E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EINV ETRD ECON ID SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR UPDATE ON PT PRIMA TRANSSHIPMENT INVESTIGATION ¶1. (SBU) Post requests that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) advise us of the status of the transshipment investigation involving shrimp exported by the company PT Prima. Post asks that CBP provide the results of the sample testing from CBP's January 2009 visit in advance of any public announcement or notification to the Government of Indonesia (GOI). Post also requests appropriate talking points and press guidance for use in explaining CBP's final determination to GOI officials. ¶2. (SBU) Shrimps exports are a sensitive and important industry in Indonesia. The PT Prima case continues to draw press attention and concern from GOI officials. Minister of Trade Mari Pangestu has raised the issue several times in official letters to the USG. Once CBP notifies the GOI of the results of its investigation, Post needs to be prepared to respond quickly, substantively and accurately to press and GOI inquiries. In addition, official USG visitors to Indonesia should also be advised in advance of any developments in this investigation. For example, Assistant United States Trade Representative Barbara Weisel will visit Jakarta March 17 to 19 and will meet with the Ministers of Trade and Industry; both will likely raise the issue. ¶3. (SBU) Background: U.S. Customs and Border Patrol visited Indonesia January 20 to 28 as part of an investigation into the possible transshipment of shrimp from China by Indonesia-based PT Prima. The objective of the visit was to obtain samples from sources owned by PT Prima for analysis by CBP in the U.S. The analysis would determine whether containers of PT Prima frozen shrimp currently held by CBP would be assessed transshipment penalties or released for delivery to U.S. customers. HEFFERN