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PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHDO #0203/01 0821251
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P 231251Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY DOHA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8878
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1148
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 0150
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1390
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 DOHA 000203 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL AORC KPAO PTER UNSC KNNP QA
SUBJECT: RESULTS OF DOHA REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON THE 
IMPLEMENTATION OF UNSCR RESOLUTION 1540 
 
Note: Post is transmitting this cable on behalf of the U.S. 
delegation to the Doha Regional Workshop on the 
implementation of UNSCR 1540. Point of Contact is U.S. 1540 
Coordinator Thomas Wuchte, 202-736-4275 who can be reached at 
WuchteTA@state.gov. 
 
¶1.  (U) Summary: The Regional Workshop on the Implementation 
of UNSCR Resolution 1540 was held in Doha, Qatar, on March 
8-11, 2009.  It was organized by the United Nations Office of 
Disarmament Affairs in cooperation with the Government of 
Qatar, and was funded by the European Union, the Government 
of Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States. 
Participants included representatives from Egypt, Iraq, 
Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab 
Emirates, Yemen, as well as representatives from regional 
organizations, League of Arab States, Gulf Cooperation 
Council, and Middle East North Africa Financial Action Task 
Force.  In addition, co-sponsors, various UN offices and 
international organizations were in attendance.  The workshop 
focused on national and regional implementation of UNSCR 
1540, discussed priorities of resolution 1810 which extended 
the mandate of the 1540 Committee until April, 2011, and 
encouraged countries to use the UNSCR 1540 Committee 
assistance request template to facilitate assistance 
cooperation related to the implementation of the resolution. 
End summary. 
 
Objectives for the UN 1540 Workshop 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶2.  (U) The overall objective of the workshop was to enhance 
understanding of UNSCR 1540, discuss implementation efforts 
in national, regional, and international level, and enhance 
risk assessment and management, increase border security, 
without hindering trade.  Agenda topics also covered the 
following: National Mechanisms to Monitor Exports, 
Re-exports, Transit, Transshipment; Trade Facilitation and 
Security, Approaches to Capacity-Building (International 
Capacity, Regional Efforts, and International Programs); 
Examination Techniques and Technical Detection Capabilities; 
Cooperation with Industry and Academic Community; and 
Technical Assistance Template. 
 
Highlights and Observations 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (U) The workshop provided the opportunity for 
participants to make presentations on measures taken or 
intend to take by their Governments for the implementation of 
UNSCR 1540 and to address practical issues of implementation, 
particularly with respect to border security.  Many countries 
noted their concern that increased controls at the borders or 
seaports will delay trade.  Others noted that sophisticated 
technology helps secure trade without slowing down the flow 
of trade. 
 
¶4.  (U) Workshop Agenda:  This was a four-day workshop.  The 
first day of the workshop started with opening remarks from 
the Government of Qatar, Chairman of the NPCW, 1540 Committee 
) Vice Chairman, Council of the European Union, United 
States, and UN Office of Disarmament Affairs.  During the 
opening remarks session, the speakers underlined the 
importance of UNSCR 1540, encouraged the participants to use 
this event as an opportunity for cooperation and request 
assistance for implementing resolution 1540.  Following the 
opening remarks session, Mr. Emad Ben-Shaban, member of the 
UNSCR 1540 Committee, provided an overview of the resolution, 
methods of monitoring the implementation, status of the 
implementation, and the future of the resolution by adopting 
resolution 1810 (2008).  Ms. Olivia Bosch, Coordinator, UN 
Committee Experts, discussed the nexus between 
nonproliferation and counterterrorism.  During the session, 
National Mechanisms to Monitor Exports, Re-Exports, Transit, 
and Transshipments, the countries present made remarks about 
their national systems.  The Government of Qatar briefed on 
Qatar,s efforts to implement resolution 1540.  Qatar has 
adopted legislation and is in support of controlling 
dangerous materials.  There is a national committee (Customs, 
Armed Forces, Environment and other ministries) that meet on 
monthly basis to coordinate and discuss OPCW, CWC, and other 
related issues.  Qatar has conducted many workshops on 
nuclear and chemical materials in collaboration with the 
NATO, IAEA, and other international organizations.  Qatar has 
dual-use chemicals and has declared it in the national report 
 
DOHA 00000203  002 OF 004 
 
 
submitted to the UNSCR 1540 Committee.  Qatar is also 
conducting industry outreach to factories and businesses, 
informing them of the dangers of these materials.  In 
addition, Qatar is working on drafting legislation to control 
biological weapons and has passed the law to control chemical 
weapons.  Qatar also stated that it has put a proposal 
forward to develop an international database among States, 
including those not parties to the NPT, CWC, BWC in order to 
link the ports and exchange information on nuclear, chemical 
and biological materials imported or in transit, with a 
notification and licensing mechanisms to strengthen control 
and to prevent these materials going to the wrong hands. 
Following Qatar, Kuwait made brief remarks about its current 
system.  There is a National Committee, under the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs, which coordinates resolution 1540.  Kuwait 
will be submitting an updated report to the UNSCR 1540 
Committee soon.  Kuwait has a list of prohibited items and 
many ministries are involved in securing them such as 
Ministry of Health and Ministry of Environment. The 
representative of the Gulf Cooperation Council pointed out 
that there is excellent cooperation and coordination among 
the Gulf Member States through the Gulf Customs Union. 
Jordan also presented on Jordan,s current status of the 
implementing the resolution.  The Jordanians emphasized 
changes in Jordan,s nuclear law and structure of the nuclear 
regulatory committee.  The delegation did not address 
Jordan,s adoption of a national control list modeled after 
the European Union list, and did not mentioned that Jordan is 
in the process of drafting an export control law.  Egypt also 
presented on changes the GOE has made since the adoption of 
resolution 1540.  Egypt is currently reviewing its nuclear 
law and will submit a revised law to the Parliament.  In 
2006, Egypt,s decrees 420 and 421 were passed to include 
controls of dual-use items.  Also, its terrorism law was 
amended in 2005 to control all items related to weapons of 
mass destruction (WMD).  The representative from Syria made 
brief remarks on Syria,s commitment to implementing UNSCR 
¶1540.  Mr. Hussein Ali pointed out that Syria has a National 
Committee to oversee the implementation of the resolution. 
He stated that Syria does not have any WMD and does want to 
acquire any.  He also stated that Syria is not helping other 
countries to get materials to develop WMD and in 1996 Syria 
ratified the NPT.  He also stated that the IAEA visited Syria 
and has stated that the nuclear reactor does not present any 
problems.  Also, Syria has signed all relevant treaties and 
has legislation in place to deal with terrorism and weapons. 
Yemen,s presentation focused on border security and 
enforcement practices.  The delegation emphasized that Yemen 
has well equipped Coast Guard to monitor its long coastline. 
Oman did not make a presentation, but handed out a written 
statement on Oman,s efforts to implement the resolution. 
The delegation from the UAE showcased its recently enacted 
export controls.  Dubai Customs presented on UAE,s export 
control which was enacted in August 2007.  The UAE has a 
control list for dual-use items and also works with 
international partners such as IAEA, BAFA and OPCW to fully 
comply with international standards.  On the enforcement 
side, Customs conducts daily random inspections and it also 
has a database with names of people, companies to do risk 
analysis.  The Iraqi delegation also discussed the current 
control in place. Iraq recently passed legislation to control 
chemical weapons and joint the CWC. 
 
¶5. (U) During the presentations of the participating 
countries, important questions and comments were generated by 
participants.  The delegation from Egypt asked if there is 
mechanism in place for the UNSCR 1540 Committee to verify if 
countries are implementing the resolution.  Also, Egypt 
pointed out the resolution is not equitable because it was 
adopted by the five permanent members of the UN Security 
Council and was imposed upon the rest of the members.  Also, 
there were questions if there is a UN definition of 
terrorism.  The first day concluded with presentations and 
discussion on risk assessment and management.  Kuwait has an 
automated system and has funded a private company to 
customize this system.  Also, Kuwait has investigations unit 
and conduct intelligence analysis on the manifests.  In 
Egypt, Customs is in charge of exports and collects revenues. 
 Everyone agreed that in the past customs had the role of 
revenue collector, but in recent years, customs has taken law 
enforcement responsibilities.  The EU representative from 
Germany,s Federal Office of Economics and Export Control 
(BAFA) discussed Germany,s risk management system and 
licensing procedures. 
 
DOHA 00000203  003 OF 004 
 
 
 
¶6.  (U) Day Two:  The discussion was centered on trade 
facilitation and security.  Mr. Richard Cupitt, UN 1540 
Committee Expert, discussed how trade controls actually 
increases trade.  He pointed out that trade controls increase 
confidence that among trading partners that ports are safe to 
move shipments through their ports and that dual-use 
materials will not end up in the wrong hands.  Also, WCO 
presentation focused on trade facilitation and compliance 
with 1540 obligations.  However, remarks made Dr. Pavel 
Klucky raised many questions and comments.  Mr. Klucky 
focused on the importance of Zangger Committee, provided a 
detail background of the creation of the Committee, and 
recent developments that came out of the October discussions. 
 Egypt objected that some countries receive special treatment 
such as India, which has conducted nuclear weapons testing 
and is not a NPT member.  It was pointed out that there are 
shortfalls in implementing international instruments.  Also, 
questions were raised on how the 1540 Committee deals with 
countries with nuclear facilities like Congo.  They inquired 
if efforts have been made for such countries to implement 
export controls.  (Note: The UNODA made changes to the 
agenda.  Presentation from Day Three Non-State Actors was 
moved to Day Two.)   Mr. Furukawa addressed the danger of 
non-state actors and terrorists acquiring WMD.  Participants 
emphasized the importance of having a legal definition of 
terrorism to assist with the implementation of resolution 
¶1540.  The participants also suggested coordination of 
resolution 1540 with 1267 and 1373, which deal with counter 
terrorism.  The day concluded with presentations on regional 
efforts to implement resolution 1540 and the importance of 
cooperation and coordination between neighboring countries. 
The day concluded with representatives from League of Arab 
States and Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task 
Force presented on existing regional cooperation and also 
emphasized the need to include regional organizations in 
discussions regarding the implementation of 1540.  (Note: The 
Gulf Cooperation Council did not present). 
 
¶7.  (U) Day Three: The port visit was cancelled, but the 
Government of Qatar provided a virtual tour of the port and 
its operations.  Mr. Mohd Ahmad Al Muhannadi, Director of Sea 
Customs Department, Customs and Ports General Authority 
discussed Qatar,s procedures to strengthen controls on 
exports and imports on seaports.  Currently, Doha has only 
imports and exports, not transit container cargo.  In 2014, 
Qatar will open its new port which will have transit 
container traffic and free zone.  For air cargo, Qatar 
requires a manifest, but does not conduct inspections.  Qatar 
is working on establishing a new department for risk 
management.  (Note: The participants expressed disappointment 
for the cancellation of the port visit.)  The second half of 
the day focused on capacity building and available assistance 
programs.  The U.S. presented on the State Department,s 
Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) program, 
and Chemical Security and Biosecurity Engagement program, and 
Department of Energy presented on the Megaports Program. 
Also, the U.K. and BAFA presented on their respective 
outreach programs.  The day closed with a presentation on the 
procedures of drafting legislation by VERTIC.  VERTIC focused 
on the importance of controlling dual-use technology in 
drafting of legislation.  Mr. Ralf Trapp, German Consultant, 
talked about the new dual-use emerging technologies and there 
is a need to be vigilant and revised existing legislation or 
control lists to reflect the changes in dual-use technology. 
 
¶8.  (U) Day Four: The last day started with a brief 
presentation on the use of the technical assistance template. 
 The organized devoted only twenty-minutes for this section 
on the agenda, but the participants had many questions about 
the usefulness of the template, should the country contact 
directly international organizations like IAEA or go through 
the UN 1540 Committee to request assistance.  The UN 1540 
Committee Experts encouraged the participants to request 
assistance through the UN 1540 Committee and the Committee 
will much the request with appropriate donors. The Iraqi 
delegation expressed disappointment that a recent request for 
equipment submitted to the UN 1540 Committee has not been 
answered.  They suggested that countries contact directly the 
organizations or assistance programs available because in 
their experience the response is faster. Participants had 
questions whether requests for assistance have been rejected 
for political reasons, and what is the timeframe for the UN 
1540 Committee to respond to a request. The 1540 Committee 
 
DOHA 00000203  004 OF 004 
 
 
experts responded that the committee is a channel of 
facilitation and does not reject any requests, but did not 
respond on how long it takes for the committee to respond to 
countries that have requested assistance.  Following this 
lively discussion, the representative from Mongolia talked 
about the success Mongolia had requesting assistance from 
1540 Committee and security radiation detection equipment for 
its borders, which was provided by the U.S. Department of 
Energy,s Second Line of Defense Program.  The presenter 
focused on the importance to have a detail description of the 
project when completing the form technical assistance 
template.  The UNODA allocated time for bilateral discussions 
and explore possible cooperative steps. The UN 1540 Committee 
experts had scheduled meetings with the participants, but 
there was no formal request from the countries to meet with 
representatives from the various assistance programs.  Day 
four concluded with closing remarks given by Mr. Andreas 
Launer, Austria, Mr. Enrique Ochoa, Vice Chair of the 1540 
Committee, Ms. Annalisa Giannella, Council of Europe, Ms. 
Varvara Pikoulas Psaros, US Representative and Mr. Eamonn 
Lorimer, UK and Mr. Abdulla Nasser Al-Sulaiti, ViceChairman 
of NCPW.  Each of the panelists emphasized the importance of 
the resolution 1540 and the challenges of implementing it. 
They encouraged the participating countries to submit not 
only national reports, but national implementation plans and 
to complete the template requesting technical assistance. 
Also, the panelists emphasized the resources are available 
and countries who need assistance should take advantage of 
the assistance programs available. 
 
¶9.  (U) This cable was cleared with the U.S. 1540 Coordinator 
Thomas Wuchte, 202-736-4275 who can be reached at 
WuchteTA@state.gov for further information and background. 
LeBaron