EXBS: MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE/INDONESIA/PHILIPPINES ADVISOR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUALA LUMPUR 000904 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL MY SUBJECT: EXBS: MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE/INDONESIA/PHILIPPINES ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE KUALA LUMP 00000904 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. SUMMARY: (U) This cable covers the period 1-31 Oct 09. EXBS Advisor and Rachel Owen began courtesy calls in region, including visits to US Embassy staff in Singapore and Indonesia. Advisor attended DoE sponsored "Dual Use Export Control" conference in Bangkok. Advisor completed one week basic training in Export Control at University of Georgia's Center of International Trade and Security. SITE ASSESSMENTS/MEETINGS ¶2. (U) Accomplishments: - Ongoing weekly meeting with Embassy's Regional Counter Terrorism Advisor (Greg Chapman) to review Regional Program Plans. - Attended Regional Situational Awareness brief presented by Mr. Joe Zun (Political Desk, DC). - Advisor contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia to follow up on a 3 September letter of invitation for training from the University of Georgia's Export Control Academy. After some discussion MFA indicated interest in attending the Spring 2010 offering. The Hari Raya holiday, according to MFA, precluded MFA from being able to respond to the earlier invitation in a timely manner. - 19-20 October. Advisor and Rachel Owen met with EXBS affiliated staff at AmEmb Singapore. Included in the meetings were Elizabeth Crosson (ECON),Peter Thorin (ECON),Joel Ehrendreich (ECON & POL). Additional meetings with members of the Law Enforcement Working Group included John Burgess (ICE),Jeffrey Nii (CBP),Mark Henry (DHS),and James Ink (ICE). A private session with Gary Finchum (DTRA) and another private session with Dave Shields (DCM and Chargs d'affaires ad interim) were accomplished. Elizabeth Crosson is the primary EXBS affairs manager in Singapore and keeping all interested parties fully informed on local issues. - 21-22 October. Advisor and Rachel Owen attended DoE sponsored Government/Industry outreach. Purpose of conference was to provide Thai exporters with background info and more stringent Export Control guidelines that will be implemented in the future. -23-24 October. Advisor and Rachel Owen met with EXBS affiliated staff at AmEmb Jakarta. Included in the meetings were Elizabeth Perry (ECON),Gerry Heuett (DoJ),and LTCOL Robinson (ODC). Focus of attention included discussion role of inbound USCG Regional Maritime Advisor CDR Shaw. His expected report date is end of Nov / beginning of Dec. - 25-31 October. Advisor attended University of Georgia-Center for International Trade's (UGA-CITS) Export Control Academy (PART 1) held in Athens, Georgia. 3 other new Program Advisors were also in attendance. Excellent course and opportunity to meet with legislators and other high ranking government officials from approximately 12 nations. - Philippine specific input: EXBS sponsored participation of three (3) government officials to the University of Georgia-Center for International Trade's (UGA-CITS) Export Control Academy held from October 26-November 6, 2009 in Athens, Georgia. These GRP officials were actively involved in the drafting of the proposed Philippine export control legislation and their respective agencies will be heavily involved in the implementation of the proposed legislation once passed. Attendees from Philippines: - Ma. Victoria Pijuan - Division Chief, Bureau of Import Services, Department of Trade and Industry - Rosario Sahijuan - Committee Secretary, Committee on Public Order, House of Representatives - Angelie Agustin - Dedicated person on export control, Office of the Special Envoy on Transnational Crime, Office of the President. - Status of Proposed Export Control Legislation in RP. A committee hearing at the Philippine House of Representatives on HB 6268 (Weapons of Mass Destruction Non-Proliferation and Strategic Items/Goods Regulation Act of 2009) is scheduled for November 18, ¶2009. Invited to attend to serve as resource persons are representatives from the Office of the Special Envoy on Transnational Crime (OSETC); Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM); Bureau of Customs (BOC); Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI); Department of National KUALA LUMP 00000904 002.2 OF 002 Defense (DND); Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); Department of Foreign Affairs; Semiconductor and Electronics Association of the Philippines, Inc. (SEIPI) and The Chemical Industry Association of the Philippines (SPIK). TRAINING CONDUCTED ¶3. (U) None. IMMINENT TRAINING/EQUIPMENT UPDATE ¶4. (U) None. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS ¶5. (U) Meetings scheduled for 6 Nov with Malaysia Ministry of Foreign Affairs to consider EXBS related training. KEITH