2009/2010 EXBS PROGRAM FOR SRI LANKA

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000129 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KSPR KTSC MTCRE PARM PREL CE SUBJECT: 2009/2010 EXBS PROGRAM FOR SRI LANKA REF: STATE 9940 ¶1. (SBU) Post generally supports the proposed program for 2009/2010 Interagency Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) program. Post believes that pending activities such as training for port officials on identification of weapons of mass destruction devices, training of customs inspectors, and the International Export Control Academy, will prove very worthwhile. Post also supports the proposed program for inspection equipment for Sri Lankan Customs at the port and airport, as well as additional equipment training. We also support the proposed automated licensing tracker system. ¶2. (SBU) Post questions the proposed program for legislative consultations. There is no indication that the Sri Lankan Parliament has any imminent plans to approve comprehensive export control legislation. Therefore, we are not certain that additional legislative consultation is required. ¶3. (SBU) Post requests consideration of adding the Maritime Safety and Security Information System (MSSIS) to the EXBS program for Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The MSSIS allows host countries to track all sea-going vessels, which would be very useful in case of natural disasters, sea accidents, or even pirate attacks off the coast of the Maldives. The head of our Office of Defense Cooperation, MAJ Jose Orozco, has more information on the MSSIS program. We recommend two MSSIS kits per country, or a total of four. The maximum cost for each kit would be $30,000, so the maximum cost would be $120,000, although it is likely that the MMSSIS kits could be acquired for fewer resources. BUTENIS