EXBS RUSSIA MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE

UNCLAS MOSCOW 001768

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NP/ECC - ACHURCH
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE - DMARTIN
CBP/INA FOR PWARKER
USDOE/NNSA FOR TPERRY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP UP RS
SUBJECT: EXBS RUSSIA MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE
JUNE 2009

Summary: This cable highlights activities of the Export Control and
Related Border Security (EXBS) Russia Program Office for the period
of June 01, 2009 to June 30, 2009. End Summary


1. EXBS contractor Commonwealth Trading Partners (CTP) through its
Russian partner, the Center for Export Controls (CEC),conducted
export controls training in Vladivostok June 9-10 for approximately
20 Russian Customs inspectors. Specialists from the Federal Service
for Technical and Export Control (FSTEK),Customs, and CEC updated
the audience on major Russian export controls laws and changes to
those laws, as well as Russian government agencies' areas of
responsibility in upholding export controls regulations. The
training consisted of two parts: day one was devoted to Russian
export rules and regulations; and day two consisted of hands-on
computer work with the Product Identification tool (PIT). This
software has been used by Russian Customs as a supplemental aid in
identifying and classifying commodities presented for export.
Seminar participants successfully used the PIT tool in day-long
exercises meant to simulate real-life situations.

2. This was the last in a series of export controls training
sessions for Federal Customs Service officers in Moscow and the
regions. In July, CEC will present a training class on export
controls tailored to industry representatives.


3. EXBS Russia Advisor Joan Agerholm participated in the annual
EXBS Advisors conference in Tbilisi, June 2-4. In the opinion of
this office, the meeting was of tremendous value in facilitating the
exchange of ideas and information regarding programs and
administrative issues, and in strengthening networks and working
relationships.


4. On June 24, the EXBS Advisor and EXBS Program Coordinator held a
long-awaited meeting with representatives of the export controls
section within the Security and Disarmament Department of the
Russian Foreign Ministry. It was the Advisor's first meeting with
MFA, consisting of a meet-and-greet, brief summary of EXBS Russia
activities to date, and ideas for future cooperation. MFA expressed
interest in all of our ideas, but did not commit to any of them, and
asked for additional information, which we have provided.


5. (Comment): In our view, the meeting with MFA accomplished
several modest goals: maintained positive relationships with the
export controls section of MFA; put forth program ideas which were
not rejected; and introduced a new idea (possible partnership with
an export controls training center in St. Petersburg). MFA agreed
to meet with us again in August to review what we had discussed at
our meeting and to hear any additional suggestions we might have.

BEYRLE