04FRANKFURT9221

Reference ID	Created	Released	Classification	Origin
04FRANKFURT9221	2004-10-27 13:22	2011-08-24 01:00	UNCLASSIFIED	Consulate Frankfurt
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 FRANKFURT 009221 

SIPDIS

PASS YEREVAN//RSO

PASS USCBP//TEXTILE ENFORCEMENT OPER DIV//JANET LABUDA

E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC ECON EAID ETRD AM SUBJECT: SEIZURE BY CBP OF SIX CONTAINERS FROM ARMENIA; MEETINGS WITH ARMENIAN OFFICIALS

REF: CABLE DTD 09/01/2004 FROM AMEMBASSY YEREVAN TO DHS

¶1. (SBU) Summary: Six containers with textiles represented as being made in Armenia were detained over the three month period of July, August, and September by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) due to concerns related to the country of origin. Contact with officials at CBP Headquarters, Washington, D.C., revealed that a decision was made to exclude all six containers. Subsequent to the exclusion, the importer of record indicated that the goods were going to be exported out of the U.S.

BACKGROUND

¶2. (SBU) On September 21 through September 24, 2004, Deputy Attach James Ink, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), American Consulate Frankfurt, travelled to Armenia to discuss the six containers as well as to meet with officials of the Armenian government in order to discuss the role of the ICE Attach and areas of mutual interest. Accompanying Deputy Attach Ink were two ICE agents from the RAC Laredo Office who travelled to Armenia pursuant to an investigation that was separate from the seizure of the six containers.

ACTIONS ON THE CONTAINERS

¶3. (SBU) Information from CBP HQ regarding the six containers revealed no certificate of origin was ever submitted with the entry. The country where a factory claims that the goods were made normally issues a certificate of origin. While a certificate of origin may have been prepared and shown to local officials, none was as provided to CBP officials.

¶4. (SBU) Information from CBP HQ regarding the six containers also revealed that when the Armenian exporter/producer completed the textile declaration, there was strong indication that he was receiving component parts from China and assembling them in Armenia. However, when the importer submitted the textile declaration he submitted a single country of origin declaration, which stated that the fabric was produced in Armenia and any cutting and assembling was done in Armenia, contradicting the original information.

¶5. (SBU) Also according to CBP HQ, a request by CBP to the exporter/producer for production records, covering both cutting and assembly records, was never complied with.

ACTIONS OF ICE AGENTS PETERS AND SILVA

¶6. (SBU) While in country ICE special agents Andrew Peters and Jose Silva, both from the RAC/Laredo Office, conducted interviews related to an investigation that did not involve the detention of the six containers by CBP. As discussed at the meeting with the Ambassador and several members of the Embassy staff on 09/23/04, information relating to the investigation being conducted by special agents Peters and Silva should not be discussed or disseminated outside the Embassy, or to anyone other than those individuals with a need to know.

MEETINGS WITH ARMENIAN OFFICIALS

¶7. (SBU) Separate from the above situation, Deputy Attach Ink met with representatives of the Ministry of National Security, Customs State Committee, and the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development. At all three meetings William Mayer, Senior EXBS Program Advisor, and Susanna Toroyan, also with the EXBS Program, assisted Deputy Attach Ink.

¶8. (SBU) During the meetings, Deputy Attach Ink advised of the role of ICE and DHS, and of the desire ICE had in working with the Armenian Government on areas of mutual interest. Additionally, the topics of ICE/DHS sponsored training opportunities, a Customs Mutual Assistance ce Agreement, and bilateral agreements were discussed and met with favorable responses from representatives of all three offices mentioned in paragraph 7 above.

ASSISTANCE RECEIVED FROM U.S. EMBASSY

¶9. (SBU) The ICE Attach Frankfurt appreciates the assistance given by the Embassy staff in preparation of, during, and after this trip. Special thanks to Justin Otto, Terry Cobble and Christy Brown of the RSO's Office, and William Mayer and Susanna Toroyan, EXBS.

BODDE