INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Exbs: Taiwan Monthly Reporting Cable - February and First

Published: Mon 10 Mar 2008 09:35 AM
VZCZCXYZ0002
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHIN #0322/01 0700935
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 100935Z MAR 08
FM AIT TAIPEI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8304
RHMFIUU/USCBP WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 000322
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/ECC - YWONG, ACHURCH, KCROUCH AND ROWEN
DEPT FOR EAP/TC - SBREMNER
DEPT FOR MTR - PDURHAM, SMIKOL, JMAYES, AND RPALMIERO
CBP/INA FOR RWATT AND JGOUGE
DEPT FOR ENERGY/NNSA FOR T. PERRY AND S. JONES
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP TW
SUBJECT: EXBS: TAIWAN MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE - FEBRUARY AND FIRST
WEEK OF MARCH 2008
I. BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY
MANAGERS:
(SBU) The Export Control Task Force, Bureau of Foreign Trade of the
Ministry of Economic Affairs, added two new staff members: Ms.
Shu-Chu Jiang to work on Gameplan issues and Mr. Ching-Yun Huang to
back-up Dr. Wally Su. While not yet confirmed, it appears Mr. Huang
may take over Dr. Su's portfolio when Dr. Su departs this summer for
a foreign posting. In addition, Mr. Jack Tuan of the Ministry of
Justice Investigation Bureau, who has been the main interlocutor for
the EXBS Advisor, will be moving to his new posting in Washington,
D.C. this summer.
II. COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD.
A. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS DURING REPORTING PERIOD:
(SBU) On February 27, the EXBS Advisor met with officials of the
Department of Investigation, Directorate General of Customs of the
Ministry of Finance, to discuss Taiwan Customs' active participation
in EXBS programs. The Customs officials stated that they have been
very impressed with the substance and organization of the programs
they have attended and look forward to participating in future
programs. This meeting was in conjunction with the regular
consultations that CSI-Kaohsiung and CSI-Keelung representatives
hold with Customs.
B. BLUE LANTERN:
(U) The EXBS Advisor completed two Blue Lantern check requests,
including three site visits, and reported the findings to
State/DDTC.
C. TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING REPORTING PERIOD:
1. (U) From February 20 - 22, the Commodity Identification Training
program was conducted in Kaohsiung. Approximately 45 Taiwan
officials attended the training. The Department of Energy trainers
did an excellent job conveying technical aspects of identifying
controlled commodities. The "show and tell" portions of the
training were especially effective. The Taiwan attendees also
properly identified all commodities during the practical exercise
parts of the program. A reporting cable from Washington on the
program is expected shortly.
2. (SBU) From March 6 - 7, the EXBS Advisor and John Albert from
ISN/CATR met with Taiwan interagency export control officials for an
intensive briefing on policy and control list changes made by the
Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) in 2006 and 2007. Taiwan was well
prepared, with written and verbal questions and comments, a number
of which were highly technical and sophisticated in nature. The two
biggest areas of concern were controls on machine tools and
electronics. There were several questions related to the difference
between regime lists and national implementation of the lists.
While Taiwan has adopted all four regime lists into its national
export control system, Taiwan is not fully knowledgeable about
applying the control language to the items that are being exported.
Until this briefing, Taiwan has not had access to expert knowledge
on how to interpret the list or how the list is constructed. This
lack of access appears to complicate its ability to meaningfully
implement regime lists, even though that is the desire. Taiwan
asked for continued access to this type of expert information so
that it can continue to improve its export control system. At this
point, without the U.S. providing these briefings, Taiwan has no
other channel for resolving questions related to implementation and
interpretation of the lists. The EXBS Advisor extends special
gratitude and congratulations to John for his excellent work during
the two days.
III. UPCOMING TRAINING:
1. (U) A preparatory meeting for Internal Control Program Software
development, implemented by the Department of State through a
contractor, is being planned for March 27 and 28.
2. (U) A five-day Target and Risk Management Training, implemented
by Customs and Border Protection, is being planned for the week of
April 14 in Kaohsiung.
IV. RED FLAG ISSUES:
None.
POC for this report is Mi-Yong Kim, EXBS Advisor. Telephone +886 2
2162 2347.
YOUNG
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