EXBS: MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE/INDONESIA/PHILIPPINES

UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 000345 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL MY SUBJECT: EXBS: MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE/INDONESIA/PHILIPPINES ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE - SUMMARY ¶1. (U) Advisor attended training at the University of Georgia in Athens, GA and conducted consultations with INS/ECC staff in Washington,DC. Advisor initiated contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a follow up to a meeting held in March concerning a Department of Justice workshop scheduled for June in Malaysia. Advisor also contacted the Ministry of International Trade and Industry as a follow up to a meeting held in March to discuss export control traininig programs opportunities. SITE ASSESSMENTS/MEETINGS ¶2. (U) Advisor attended the Export Control Academy at the University of Georgia in Athens, GA April 13-17, 2009. The training was comprehensive and extremely relevant to the duties of the EXBS Advisor. In addition to the excellent instruction, the class also provided an opportunity for Advisor to meet with EXBS Advisors from other locations throughout the world that were also in attendance. Other students in the class came from Russia, China, Croatia, Pakistan, Brazil, and Afghanistan. The diversity of attendees provided a broad range of perspectives in class exercises. ¶3. (U) On April 28-29,2009 Advisor met with ISN/ECC staff in Washington, DC to discuss program status in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Philippines. Budget and other administrative matters were also discussed and a meeting was held with the Malaysia Desk Officer, Office of Maritime Southeast Asia. ¶4. (U) Preparation for a site assessment in the Philippines to commence on May 18, 2009 is being coordinated by the EXBS FSN and Economic Assistant in the US Embassy Manila with the University of Georgia. The University of Georgia is the contractor that will conduct the assessment. TRAINING CONDUCTED ¶5. (U) None. IMMINENT TRAINING/EQUIPMENT UPDATE ¶6. (U) Advisor has made several attempts to obtain clearance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) for US Department of Justice/Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) training for investigators and prosecutors tentatively scheduled for June 23-24, 2009 in Malaysia. Economic Counselor, Embassy Kuala Lumpur is assisting in efforts to obtain permission from MFA for presentation of the workshop. ¶7. (U) During a meeting with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) on March 19, 2009 interest in training on licensing was expressed. A syllabus for licensing training was provided. Advisor followed up with MITI in the absence of response to the information provided. While this training may occur at a future date, it is not imminent. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS ¶7. (U) None KEITH