VZCZCXRO6868
RR RUEHDBU
DE RUEHVB #0224/01 0651211
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 061211Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7381
INFO RUEAORC/USCUSTOMS AND BORDER PROT WASHINGTON DC
RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC
RHEBAAA/USDOE WASHDC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
RULSSGG/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUCNEXC/EXRBS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ZAGREB 000224
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NP/ECC PVANSON, ACHURCH AND JMCCLELLAN; DEPT FOR EUR/ACE
DMARTIN; CBP/INA FOR PWARKER; USDOE/NNSA FOR TPERRY; DOC FOR
PETERSEN-BEARD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP HR LO SI
SUBJECT: EXBS: CROATIA/SLOVAKIA/SLOVENIA ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING
CABLE - FEBRUARY 2007
1. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS
Croatia
----02 February, accompanied the Minister of Interior (MoI), Deputy
Head, Border Police (BP) Directorate, to Slovonia to meet with
Osijek and Vinkovci District Chiefs to discuss border issues and
monitor the opening session of the MoI Sensor Deployment training.
It is derivative training of a USG (DTRA) sponsored "Tracking"
(shadowing/pursuit) training held in Sept 2006. As reported, EXBS
was asked to support this effort by donating additional sensor and
GPS equipment to supplement the donations by DTRA during their
training. The urgent need for this equipment to extend surveillance
effectiveness along the heavily mined eastern border with Serbia and
the adjoining southeastern border with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)
has been well established and documented.
----26 February, met with the Assistant Director General, Minister
of Finance (MoF) Customs Directorate, to discuss topics of interest
and participation and in the International Export Control Conference
to be held in Bucharest. Additionally, there was continuing
dialogue on progress of the revisions to the Customs Code. While the
ADG concurred that Customs requires compatible statutory
jurisdictional and enforcement authority to fight against smuggling,
commercial fraud and Export Control violations, traditional
opposition to such a progressive mandate must still be overcome.
----28 February, met with Head of Department, State Office for
Nuclear Safety (SONS). The meeting was routinely scheduled to
maintain a continuing dialogue to assess and discuss both progress
and complications in instituting and implementing the various facets
of Export Controls along with any emerging or related issues. A
specific request was presented to consider donation of a Canberra
Inspector 1000 NAL Spectrometer handheld multi-channel analyzer with
a supporting IPRON-N Neutron Probe. The EXBS Advisor concurs with
SONS that a single donation of this (2 piece) unit would be both
appropriate and necessary to enable that office to effectively meet
mission generated requirements and supports this request.
----28 February, met with Assistant Minister, Ministry of Economy
(MoE), Assistant Director General, MoF, Customs Directorate, and
Head of Department, Department of International Security, Ministry
of Foreign Affairs (MFA), to distribute travel tickets and documents
for the Bucharest International Export Control Conference, discuss
issues relating to the conference and schedule a meeting for
coordination of the Tracker Licensing Network installation.
Slovakia
----21 February, met with the Deputy Head, Ministry of Interior
(MoI), Border and Alien Police (BAP), regarding donation of the
encryption system which has been delayed due to the unanticipated
extended delay in processing of the formal Grant Document. It was
agreed that the donation would be released via a Grant Letter which
would serve as an interim mutual receipt to record the official
transfer of the property, to be formalized by both parties once the
Grant Document is received.
----21 February, met with the recently appointed Director General
(DG) and senior staff, Minister of Finance (MoF) Customs
Directorate, for a formal courtesy call, introduction and brief on
the history of the USG EXBS Assistance Program to the Republic of
Slovakia. The DG voiced appreciation for the efforts extended by
EXBS to enhance the capacity of Customs, particularly in advancing
their Export Controls enforcement and pledged assurances of
continued cooperation and support to further that development
assistance.
----21 February, met with the Policy Analyst, Slovak Foreign Policy
Association (SFPA), to discuss status of the ongoing Export Controls
Assessment to measure the capacity and effectiveness of
institutional development. It was reported that most of the data
collection has been completed and the analysis is expected to be
completed by the end of February 2007. Preliminary results indicate
that while the framework for a potentially effective system has been
instituted, there appears to be lapses in the implementation
process, particularly with consistent Customs verification and
enforcement.
----22 February, conducted an introductory courtesy call on the
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recently appointed Director of Customs Criminal Office and Head of
Department, MoF, Customs Directorate, to discuss EXBS Program
assistance. It was agreed that the office required training in
Export Control Enforcement, investigations and source development
supported through industry outreach activities. The EXBS Advisor
agreed to assist the Director in this regard.
----22 February, met with the Acting Director, Department of
Sensitive Goods Trading Management (Licensing), Ministry of Economy
(MoE) to discuss problems with the Tracker Licensing Communication
Network. There appears to be a malfunction with hard disc 5. An
immediate request was made to replace the disc.
2. TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING REPORTING PERIOD
Croatia
----08-09 February, L3 Communications Ltd. presented installation
training for their Mobile X-Ray Baggage Screening Unit (Mercedes
Van) to approximately 20 officers of the MoF, Customs Directorate.
----19-23 February, the U.S. Coast Guard Mobile Training Team
provided Port Security Training to officers of the MoI BP Maritime
Police, MOF Customs Directorate and Ministry of Sea, Tourism,
Transport and Development, Office of Safety of Navigation and
Maritime Environment Protection Authority (Harbor Masters) in
Rijeka. The training was well attended and prompted effective
interaction and cooperation among the participants.
----12-16 February, the U.S. Coast Guard Mobile Training Team
provided Port Security Training to officers of the MoI BP Maritime
Police, MOF Customs Directorate and Ministry of Sea, Tourism,
Transport and Development, Office of Safety of Navigation and
Maritime Environment Protection Authority (Harbor Masters) in Split.
The training was well attended and prompted effective interaction
and cooperation among the participants.
3. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING REPORTING PERIOD
Slovenia
----14 February, Presented 85 Gerber tools to the Assistant Director
General, MoF, Customs Directorate, in Ljubljana.
BRADTKE