VZCZCXRO1605
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHBK #1705/01 1570302
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 050302Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3256
RHMFIUU/US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION WASHINGTON DC
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RULSJGA/COMDT COGARD WASHDC
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUCNEXC/EXPORT CONTROL AND RELATED BORDER SECURITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 001705
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/ECC YWONG, ACHURCH, KCROUCH, ROWEN, EAP/MLS
DRICHELSOPH, BBLACKSHAW
CBP/INA FOR BMCCRAY
DEPT OF ENERGY FOR NNSA TPERRY
AMEMBASSY HANOI FOR PECKSTROM
AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR FOR RMOODY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TH VN
SUBJECT: EXBS: THAILAND/VIETNAM ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING
CABLE - MAY 2008
REF: HANOI 00607
SUMMARY
1. (U) A Technical Introduction to Strategic Trade Control
Licensing Workshop was conducted in Bangkok, May 14-16.
Almost one-half million dollars of equipment was donated to
Vietnam Customs and Border Army on May 21. Advisor and
POLOFF met with officials from several Vietnamese ministries.
An additional vehicle donation for the Vietnam Border Army
will occur in late June. The new Thai EXBS FSN begins work
on June 2.
SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS
2. (U) On May 21, Advisor and POLOFF met with Ms. Nguyen
Minh Hang of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation. Another
official from the North America Division also attended. The
purpose of the meeting was to discuss the importance of an
effective strategic trade control system and assistance
offered through the EXBS program to achieve that goal.
Advisor pointed out that maintaining Vietnam's impressive
rate of economic growth depended upon protecting the system
of international trade from misuse by terrorists and
proliferators of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Advisor
thanked Ms. Hang for Vietnam's excellent cooperation with the
EXBS program thus far, including seaport interdiction
training, licensing and border control equipment and
seminars.
3. (U) Advisor noted that on April 25 the UN Security Council
had passed Resolution 1810, extending the mandate of the 1540
Committee another three years and encouraging States to
submit action plans for 1540 implementation. Advisor also
noted that Vietnam had requested in its 2005 report to the
Committee assistance in detecting, identifying and
controlling WMD and related materials. Advisor stated that
additional EXBS assistance would focus on strengthening
Vietnam's legal-regulatory structure for strategic trade
controls. Such an effort would require greater interagency
support and coordination. A Legal-Regulatory Workshop had
been conducted in April, and a Technical Introduction to
Licensing Workshop was being planned for July. Future events
might include workshops on National Control Lists,
Government-Industry Outreach and other topics - we would
welcome their suggestions. Ms. Hang thanked Advisor and
POLOFF for the briefing and EXBS assistance, and advised she
would share the information with appro
priate colleagues.
4. (U) On May 21, Advisor and POLOFF had dinner with Mr.
Nguyen Toan of the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Col
Nguyen Ngoc Cu of the Vietnam Border Army, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha
of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Dr. Nguyen Nu Hoai
Vi of the Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety and
Control. These officials have been the most proactive and
accommodating in facilitating EXBS assistance to date. The
purpose of the dinner was to strengthen our working
relationship with these officials, and to encourage a greater
sense of interagency teamwork for strengthening export and
border controls.
TRAINING CONDUCTED
5. (U) Experts from the Department of Energy conducted a
Technical Introduction to Strategic Trade Control Licensing
Workshop in Bangkok, May 14-16. The agenda focused on
foundations of a comprehensive trade control system, a survey
of the EU Control List, and an introduction to risk analysis.
Twenty-five mid-level officials from ten Thai government
agencies attended. The senior counterterrorism official from
the National Security Council provided opening remarks.
Participants received Thai and English versions of all
presentations and the EU Control Lists. Advisor and DOE
BANGKOK 00001705 002 OF 002
instructors met with key officials from the Thai Ministries
of Commerce and Industry, Office of Atoms for Peace and Board
of Trade to begin planning for an Enterprise Outreach
function in the fall. More detailed comments will be
reported separately.
EQUIPMENT DELIVERED
6. (U) On May 21, border security equipment worth
approximately $480,000 was delivered to the General
Department of Vietnam Customs and the Vietnam Border Army.
Items included two stationary and one mobile x-ray machines,
CT-30 kits, radiation pagers, radioactive isotope
identifiers, and GPS units.
IMMINENT TRAINING/EQUIPMENT UPDATE
7. (U) Six four-wheel drive Toyota Landcruisers will be
donated to the Vietnamese Border Army in late June.
SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS
8. (U) The new Thai EXBS Program Management Assistant will
start work on June 2. She will be attending the EXBS Annual
Conference, June 10-12 in Washington, DC.
JOHN