VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHIN #0960/01 1850441
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 030441Z JUL 08
FM AIT TAIPEI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9389
RHMFIUU/USCBP WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 000960
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR ISN/ECC - YWONG, ACHURCH, AND ROWEN
STAE ALSO FOR EAP/TC - SBREMNER
CBP/INA FOR DKING
DOE FOR ENERGY/NNSA FOR TPERRY AND SJONES
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP TW
SUBJECT: EXBS: TAIWAN MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE - MAY AND JUNE 2008
I. BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS:
(SBU) Status of Transfer of Intangible Technology Legislation: The
Bureau of the Organic Laws and States, Legislative Yuan (LY), plans
to review the Transfer of Intangible Technology legislation proposed
by the National Science Council (NSC), the Executive Yuan (EY),
according to an NSC official. With the new administration in place,
the official said the LY is again considering the legislation which
was originally proposed six years ago, and revised several times
since. She also stated that the current bill deals with controls of
transfers of technology for national security and export control
purposes. She said the legislation will be given priority by the LY
as soon as the LY finishes the FY 2009 budget bill.
II. COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD.
A. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS DURING REPORTING PERIOD:
1. (SBU) On May 16, the EXBS Advisor made a courtesy call to the
Deputy Director of Keelung Customs and the Chief of the Keelung
Harbor Police. Both organizations actively participate in EXBS
programs.
During the visit, Keelung Customs gave a comprehensive presentation
on its operations, specifically as they related to controls of
Strategic Hi-Tech Commodities (SHTC): Since 1992, Keeling Customs
has been using an automated cargo clearance system; the average
export cargo clearance processing time is 0.20 hours for sea cargo
and 0.14 hours for air cargo; 80.45% of sea cargo and 91.43% of air
cargo is cleared without physical examination. In 2007, Keelung
Customs intercepted 105 of the 429 SHTC suspect shipments found by
Taiwan Customs. Lastly, Keelung Customs demonstrated an on-site
containerized cargo examination for the Advisor. After the cargo
examination, the Harbor Police provided a tour of the port in a
patrol boat to further explain its operations on the water.
Both Keelung Customs and Harbor Police expressed gratitude for the
opportunities provided by EXBS and are looking forward to
participating in future programs.
2. (SBU) On May 23, the EXBS Advisor met with the Harbor Master of
the Keelung Harbor Bureau. The Keelung Harbor Bureau regularly
participates in EXBS programs.
As part of the meeting, the Keeling Harbor Bureau gave a video
briefing of the harbor management, function and services. The Port
of Keelung encompasses approximately 5.72 square kilometers in water
area. Port facilities are capable of accommodating Post-Panamax (a
class of container ship with a cargo capacity exceeding 10,000 TEU)
container vessels and bulk cargo vessels up to 60,000 tonnage. The
port operates with 57 wharves and has over 9,000 meters in total
length and one main channel with a depth of 15.5 meters. The port
was originally founded in 1945. Keelung Harbor serves the Greater
Metro Taipei Area and outlying regions and industrial parks. The
port attracts commercial vessels from all over the world and is
becoming one of the most important ports in the Asia-Pacific region,
according to the Keelung Harbor Bureau.
B. BLUE LANTERN:
(U) Two Blue Lantern checks were conducted by the Advisor during the
reporting period. Results of the checks have been forwarded to
PM/DDTC.
C. TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING REPORTING PERIOD:
(U) None.
III. UPCOMING TRAINING:
1. (U) The EXBS Advisor will participate as a technical expert in a
licensing program in Hanoi, Vietnam from July 9-11.
2. (U) From July 23-24, the Department of Energy will implement an
Industry-Government Outreach Program in Taipei. Industry and Taiwan
official representatives are expected to attend. The attendees will
have an pportunity to view the internal control program (ICP)
baseline software and get an update on Taiwan-specific ICP software
development.
IV. UPCOMING MEETINGS:
(SBU) The Advisor plans to meet with officials from the Taiwan
External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) in coming weeks to
discuss Taiwan's trade missions to North Korea and Burma.
V. RED FLAG ISSUES:
None.
POC for this report is Mi-Yong Kim, EXBS Advisor. Telephone 886 2
2162 2347.
YOUNG