Cablegate: Asean-Us Dialogue Relations

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

2002HANOI00140 - UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED PTQ9045

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INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 ACQ-00 CEA-01 CIAE-00 CTME-00
DODE-00 DOEE-00 ITCE-00 DOTE-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00
EXME-00 E-00 FAAE-00 FBIE-00 UTED-00 VC-00 FRB-00
H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 ITC-01 LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00
NASA-01 AC-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-01 OMB-01 OPIC-01
PA-00 PC-01 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SP-00
SSO-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 R-00 EPAE-00
IIP-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00
/012W
------------------5B275F 221305Z /26
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5281
INFO AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY
ASEAN COLLECTIVE
USDA WASHDC
USDOC WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 HANOI 000140

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/RSP AND EAP/BCLTV
STATE PLEASE PASS USTR FOR HUNTSMAN AND IVES
USDA FOR FAS/FAA HUETE, FAS/ITP: THEILER, FAS/ICD: FUSSELL
USDOC FOR 4431/MAC/IEP/OKSA/HPPHO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ETRD EAGR EAID TSPL VM ASEAN
SUBJECT: ASEAN-US DIALOGUE RELATIONS

1. THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST.

2. PHAM HUU CHI, DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE MFA'S ASEAN
DEPARTMENT, ON JANUARY 18 SENT POL/C A SUMMARY OF THE ASEAN
STANDING COMMITTEE VIEWS REGARDING ASEAN-US DIALOGUE
RELATIONS. PLEASE NOTE REQUESTS FOR FOLLOW UP FROM USDA ON
TWO PROPOSED PROGRAMS (ITEM A); AEM/USTR CONSULTATIONS
(ITEM C); S&T COOPERATION (ITEM E), THE WORLD CONFERENCE
AND EXHIBITION ON LAND AND FOREST FIRE HAZARDS PROJECT
PROPOSAL (FINAL PARA).

3. BEGIN TEXT

THE 1ST MEETING OF THE 35TH ASEAN STANDING COMMITTEE TOOK
PLACE ON 8-10 JANUARY, 2002, IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM. I AM
PLEASED TO CONVEY HEREWITH THE OUTCOME OF THE DISCUSSION AT
THE MEETING REGARDING THE ASEAN-U.S. DIALOGUE RELATIONS FOR
YOUR INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION.

THE 16TH ASEAN-US DIALOGUE, 29 NOVEMBER 2001, WASHINGTON DC

VIETNAM, AS THE COUNTRY COORDINATOR, BRIEFED THE MEETING ON
THE POSITIVE OUTCOME OF THE 16TH ASEAN-US DIALOGUE. THE
ASEAN STANDING COMMITTEE (ASC) HAS REQUESTED THE COUNTRY
COORDINATOR AND THE ASEAN SECRETARIAT TO FOLLOW-UP ON THE
DECISIONS OF THE MEETING.

DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION
A. ASEAN-USDA COOPERATION IN FOOD, AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
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PAGE 03 HANOI 00140 01 OF 03 221305Z
AND IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION

THREE NATIONAL-LEVEL PROJECT PROPOSALS IN THE AREA OF
AGRICULTURE ARE BEING DEVELOPED INTO ACTIVITIES TO BE
UNDERTAKEN AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL. USDA OFFICIALS HAVE
VISITED SEVERAL ASEAN MEMBER COUNTRIES, NAMELY MALAYSIA, THE
PHILIPPINES AND VIET NAM FOR THE PURPOSE OF GATHERING INPUTS
TO DEVELOP THE PROJECT PROPOSALS INTO REGIONAL ONES. THE
USDA HAS SENT ONE OF THE PROJECT PROPOSALS TO THE ASEAN
SECRETARIAT TO WHICH THE SECRETARIAT HAS PROVIDED ITS

SIPDIS
COMMENTS. THE USDA'S RESPONSE TO THE COMMENTS AND THE
SUBMISSION OF THE OTHER TWO PROJECT PROPOSALS IS BEING
AWAITED. THE ASEAN SECRETARIAT HAS BEEN REQUESTED BY THE
ASC TO FOLLOW-UP ON THIS MATTER WITH THE USDA.

THE FOURTH MEETING OF THE ASEAN SENIOR OFFICIALS ON FORESTRY
(ASOF) ON 23-25 JULY 2001 IN PASAY CITY, PHILIPPINES,
ENDORSED SEVEN PROJECT CONCEPTS AND PROPOSALS IN THE AREA OF
FORESTRY FOR THE REVIEW/FUNDING CONSIDERATION OF THE USDA.
THE USDA IS IN THE PROCESS OF REVIEWING THE PROPOSALS. THE
ASEAN SECRETARIAT HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO FOLLOW-UP ON THIS
MATTER WITH THE USDA.

B. MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION (MOC) ON STANDARDS AND
CONFORMITY

AT THE THIRD ACCSQ-US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE MEETING ON 21
SEPTEMBER 2001 IN SYDNEY, BOTH SIDES HAVE AGREED TO THE
ACTIVITIES THAT WERE OUTLINED FOR 2001 AND 2002 UNDER THE
THREE-YEAR DRAFT ACTION PLAN (2001-2003) TO ADDRESS TRADE
RELATED STANDARDS AND CONFORMANCE ISSUES. OTHER ACTIVITIES
UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 04 HANOI 00140 01 OF 03 221305Z
IN THE DRAFT ACTION PLAN WERE UNDER CONSIDERATION OF THE US
AND WOULD BE DISCUSSED AT THE NEXT ACCSQ-US DEPARTMENT OF
COMMERCE MEETING, WHICH WAS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN MARCH
2002, BACK TO BACK TO THE 19TH ACCSQ MEETING IN HO CHI MINH
CITY.

C. TRADE AND INVESTMENT

THE PROPOSED AEM-USTR CONSULTATIONS DID NOT TAKE PLACE AS
SCHEDULED ON 16 SEPTEMBER 2001 IN HA NOI. THE DEPUTY USTR,
AMBASSADOR JON HUNTSMAN JR., MET BILATERALLY WITH SEVERAL
ASEAN ECONOMIC MINISTERS FOR INFORMAL CONSULTATIONS AT THE
SIDELINES OF THE 33RD AEM MEETING IN HA NOI. ASEAN SENIOR
ECONOMIC OFFICIALS WOULD CONTINUE TO EXPLORE WITH THEIR US
COUNTERPART TO CONVENE THE AEM-USTR CONSULTATIONS AT AN
APPROPRIATE TIME AND VENUE. DURING THE 16TH ASEAN-US
DIALOGUE ON 29 NOVEMBER 2001 IN WASHINGTON DC, THAILAND HAD
OFFERED TO HOST THE AEM-USTR CONSULTATIONS.

ASEAN SENIOR ECONOMIC OFFICIALS AND ASSISTANT USTR MET FOR
CONSULTATIONS ON 17 AUGUST 2001 IN BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN. THE
CONSULTATIONS, FIRST SINCE 1996, AMONGST OTHER DISCUSSED
ISSUES PERTAINING TO WTO, APEC AND POSSIBLE AREAS OF
COOPERATION BETWEEN ASEAN AND THE US. THE ASSISTANT USTR
WOULD BE INVITED FOR CONSULTATIONS DURING THE 2/33 SEOM ON
26-28 MARCH 2002 IN INDONESIA.

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED PTQ8428

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ACTION EAP-00

INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 ACQ-00 CEA-01 CIAE-00 CTME-00
DODE-00 DOEE-00 ITCE-00 DOTE-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00
EXME-00 E-00 FAAE-00 FBIE-00 UTED-00 VC-00 FRB-00
H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 ITC-01 LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00
NASA-01 AC-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-01 OMB-01 OPIC-01
PA-00 PC-01 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SP-00
SSO-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 R-00 EPAE-00
IIP-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00
/012W
------------------5B06DC 220912Z /38
R 220856Z JAN 02
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5282
INFO AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY
ASEAN COLLECTIVE
USDA WASHDC
USDOC WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 03 HANOI 000140

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/RSP AND EAP/BCLTV
STATE PLEASE PASS USTR FOR HUNTSMAN AND IVES
USDA FOR FAS/FAA HUETE, FAS/ITP: THEILER, FAS/ICD: FUSSELL
USDOC FOR 4431/MAC/IEP/OKSA/HPPHO

D. ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TECHNOLOGY CENTRE/NETWORK

BOTH ASEAN AND THE US HAVE ENDORSED THE REVISED TERM OF
REFERENCE (TOR) TO UNDERTAKE THE FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CENTER/NETWORK. THE STUDY HAS BEEN
COMPLETED, AND WOULD BE REFERRED TO THE ASEAN SENIOR
OFFICIALS ON ENVIRONMENT. THE STUDY IS ATTACHED HEREWITH
FOR YOUR INFORMATION. (NOTE: SEE PARA 4. END NOTE)

E. ASEAN-US SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION

US RESPONSE ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY ASEAN ON SOME OF
ITS PLANNED PROGRAMMES IN THE AREA OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ARE STILL BEING WAITED. (VIET NAM HAS TRANSMITTED THE
INFORMATION TO THE US ON APRIL 10, 2001.)
(NOTE: SEE 2001 HANOI 2755 AND PREVIOUS. END NOTE)

F. ASEAN-US CENTRE FOR TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION (CTC) AND HRD
SUPPORT FROM THE US-ASEAN BUSINESS COUNCIL

THE ACTIVITIES OF ASEAN-US CENTER FOR TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION
ARE ONGOING.

G. WORLD CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION ON LAND AND FOREST FIRE
HAZARDS

THE ASEAN SECRETARIAT HAS SUBMITTED THE PROJECT PROPOSAL TO
THE US STATE DEPARTMENT ON 7 NOVEMBER 2001 FOR THE LATTER'S
CONSIDERATION OF PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. ASEAN HAS
UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 03 HANOI 00140 02 OF 03 220912Z
INVITED THE US TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONFERENCE.

I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU ON THESE MATTERS,
ESPECIALLY REGARDING THE PROPOSALS THAT WERE MADE AT THE
16TH ASEAN-US DIALOGUE IN WASHINGTON, DC, THE WORLD
CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION ON LAND AND FOREST FIRE HAZARDS
PROJECT PROPOSAL, AND SOME OF THE PLANNED PROGRAMMES IN THE
AREA OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY THAT HAVE BEEN TRANSMITTED
UPON EXPRESSED INTERESTS FROM THE U.S.

END TEXT

4. ATTACHMENT: CERF/IIEC REPORT
BEGIN TEXT

PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TECHNOLOGY IN THE ASEAN
REGION

A FEASIBILITY STUDY CONDUCTED BY CERF/IIEC

OBJECTIVE: PROVIDE SUPPORT TO ASEAN AND THE US-AEP IN
EVALUATING THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHMENT A REGIONAL
CENTER OR NETWORK FOR THE ASSESSMENT AND PROMOTION OF
ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TECHNOLOGIES (EST).

OVERALL FINDINGS:
-- A REGIONAL CENTER OR NETWORK WOULD STRENGTHEN ASEAN
OBJECTIVES IN EST
-- EST SHOULD INCLUDE TECHNOLOGIES FOR INDUSTRIAL
PRODUCTIVITY, URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE, AND DEVELOPMENT
-- LIMITED RESOURCES REQUIRE A COST-CONSCIOUS APPROACH
UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 04 HANOI 00140 02 OF 03 220912Z
LEVERAGING OTHER PROGRAMS
-- AN EFFECTIVE EST ASSESSMENT PROGRAM REQUIRES BUY-IN AT
THE POLICY LEVEL (THE ASEAN SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICIALS
NETWORK MAY BE WILLING TO TAKE ON "OWNERSHIP" OF THE
PROJECT)
-- SUCCESS REQUIRES A CREDIBLE, OPEN, AND OBJECTIVE PROCESS
AND INDEPENDENT VOICE
-- A FOUNDATION OF EXPERTISE EXISTS FOR THE PROGRAM WITHIN
THE ASEAN NATIONS
-- LEVERAGING OPPORTUNITIES EXIST: US AGENCIES (EPA, AID,
DOE, DOC, TDA, OPIC, ETC.); EXISTING MEMBER COUNTRY
PROGRAMS; OTHER COUNTRIES; INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES SUCH AS
UNEP, GEF, ADF, ETC.; PRIVATE SECTOR

ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES:
THE STUDY CONSIDERED ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES FOR THE
FOLLOWING FACTORS AND DESCRIBES PROS AND CONS OF EACH:
-- NUMBER OF CENTERS - SINGLE, MULTIPLE (4-6), ONE IN EACH
COUNTRY, OR A NETWORK WITH NO SPECIFIC CENTER
-- FOCUS OF CENTERS/NODES - COMPREHENSIVE (ALL TECHNOLOGIES
AND SUB-REGIONS), GEOGRAPHIC SUB-REGIONS, SPECIFIC
ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA (I.E., AIR, WATER, SOLID WASTE, ETC.)
AND ECOSYSTEM (MARINE, URBAN, FOREST, ETC.)
-- LOCATION - GEOGRAPHICALLY, ORGANIZATIONALLY (GOVERNMENT,
PUBLIC, ACADEMIC, NGO, ETC.)
-- ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGY - NEW CENTERS, ADD-ON TO EXISTING
CENTERS, OR VIRTUAL CENTERS

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED PTQ8429

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ACTION EAP-00

INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 ACQ-00 CEA-01 CIAE-00 CTME-00
DODE-00 DOEE-00 ITCE-00 DOTE-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00
EXME-00 E-00 FAAE-00 FBIE-00 UTED-00 VC-00 FRB-00
H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 ITC-01 LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00
NASA-01 AC-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-01 OMB-01 OPIC-01
PA-00 PC-01 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SP-00
IRM-00 SSO-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 EPAE-00
IIP-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00
/012W
------------------5B06E0 220913Z /38
R 220856Z JAN 02
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5283
INFO AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY
ASEAN COLLECTIVE
USDA WASHDC
USDOC WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 03 HANOI 000140

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/RSP AND EAP/BCLTV
STATE PLEASE PASS USTR FOR HUNTSMAN AND IVES
USDA FOR FAS/FAA HUETE, FAS/ITP: THEILER, FAS/ICD: FUSSELL
USDOC FOR 4431/MAC/IEP/OKSA/HPPHO

-- EST ASSESSMENT METHODS - WHOLE SYSTEMS ANALYSIS,
PROACTIVE TECHNOLOGY SEARCHES, PERFORMANCE VERIFICATION
(USEPA), ENTA (UNEP), ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS),
ETC.
-- FINANCING STRATEGIES - INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES, FEE BASED,
PRIVATE SECTOR, POOLED FUNDING, ETC.
-- RELATIONSHIP WITH EXISTING PROGRAMS -- USEPA, UNEP,
EUTEC, INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS, ETC.
-- OTHER ISSUES - JOINT PROJECTS (AMONG ASEAN COUNTRIES OR
WITH OTHER COUNTRIES), HARMONIZATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL
POLICIES, REGULATORY TRANSPARENCY AND PREDICTABILITY
-- COMMUNICATION OF RESULTS - INTERNET WEB PAGE, CONSISTENT
REPORT FORMATS, AUDIENCE TARGETING, OTHER MEDIA

NEXT STEPS (BEYOND CURRENT PROJECT SCOPE)
-- OBTAIN FEEDBACK ON REPORT AND ALTERNATIVES
-- DESIGNATE A POINT OF CONTACT FOR EACH ASEAN MEMBER NATION
-- ASSESS NEEDS AND CAPABILITIES IN DETAIL THROUGH MEETINGS
AND PHONE CONVERSATIONS WITH: UNEP; KEY ASEAN NATIONS;
OTHER ASEAN MEMBERS AS APPROPRIATE
-- DEFINE SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEVERAGE AND
COLLABORATION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS
-- RECOMMEND SPECIFIC STRUCTURE AND APPROACH
-- WORK WITH APPROPRIATE ORGANIZATIONS TO ESTABLISH PROJECT
DETAILS AND IMPLEMENT

FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT WILL KIRKSEY
AT WKIRKSEY@CERF.ORG OR 202 785 6425 AND ANITA CELDRAN AT
ACELDRAN@CERF.ORG OR 202 785 6466
UNCLASSIFIED

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BURGHARDT

UNCLASSIFIED

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