Pages 13-14 from FCO 177-654

The document is a summary of a discussion regarding the COCOM Forum and its role in export controls and non-proliferation. The main points mentioned are:

1. The main interlocutor is Joan Michel Le Ro1 from the Export Control Division of the Department of External Affairs. Le Ro1 is more optimistic than the author regarding the Americans dropping their long-term objective of transforming the COCOM Forum into a north-south proliferation body. Le Ro1 suggests focusing on controls for COCOM-controlled goods and extending the COCOM Mandate to cover proliferation more generally.

2. The author agrees that concern about proliferation is a motivating factor for effective export controls. They suggest that proscribed countries should introduce controls covering both COCOM and proliferation concerns. However, they recognize the difficulty of including this in the commitment letter and express reservations about redefining COCOM's role.

3. Over lunch, Le Ro1 argues for redefining COCOM's role to include non-proliferation. The author questions the desirability and practicality of this, emphasizing the need to convince other countries of the importance of effective controls and highlighting existing partnerships in non-proliferation controls.

4. Canada relies on internationally agreed control lists and finds value in COCOM meetings and exercises to keep their controls up-to-date. The author expresses concerns about addressing the wider proliferation issue within COCOM and the challenges of assessing non-proliferation risks.

5. The practical role of the forum in promoting export controls is discussed, and it is agreed that coordination and avoidance of duplication are important. The Canadians express their focus on Ukraine due to their large Ukrainian population, while the author mentions plans on MTCR, licensing, enforcement in Kazakhstan, and safeguards in nuclear republics.

6. Mark Moher, Director General of the International Security Bureau of the DEA, seems more inclined towards the author's viewpoint on non-proliferation issues than Le Ro1's. However, there may be incoherence in Canadian positions due to different reporting channels.

Overall, the discussion revolves around the role of the COCOM Forum, the relationship between export controls and non-proliferation, and the practical aspects of coordinating efforts and avoiding duplication.