TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATION OFFICER (TFCO) AT

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 005394 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR EB/ESC/TFS, S/CT, INL/C, IO/PHO, TREASURY, TREASURY OFAC, WHA/CAR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIN ETTC KVPR PREL PTER KTFN SUBJECT: TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATION OFFICER (TFCO) AT POST - SANTO DOMINGO REF: SECSTATE 201391 ¶1. (U)As requested, following is the TFCO related information. ¶2. (SBU)(a) Contact information for: TFCO: Lisa J. Kubiske, DCM, (809)731-4308, kubiskeLJ@state.gov and DTFCO: Stephen S. Wheeler, Chief Econ Officer, (809)731-4293, wheelerSS@state.gov. (b) Who chairs terrorist finance meetings? Does post combine terrorist finance agenda items into law Enforcement meetings? Meetings of the Visas Viper Committee? The DCM chairs the terrorist finance meetings. The Embassy combines terrorist finance and terrorism issues in a joint Law enforcement/Visas viper monthly meeting. (c) What does post attempt to accomplish in its TF working group meetings? Are they successful? How are country clearance requests for training, assessments, and other terrorist financing related visits reviewed and answered by the TFCO process? In Law Enforcement/Visas Viper meetings terrorism issues in general are raised and shared with all participating agencies, including, DHS, FBI, DEA, DAO, MAAG, State (Econ, pol, cons, nas). Coordinated approaches are discussed as to how to use the information and which agencies have action. Terrorist Finance issues have been relatively straight forward. The Econ section has the action to coordinate with the GODR Central Bank and Superintency of Banks to pass releasable information and ask for coordination and assistance in disseminating relevant information. Country clearance requests for training and assisance and other terrorist financing related visits are generally reviewed an answered jointly by the Pol/Econ section and the NAS section. (d) Suggestions on how to improve coordination among TFCOs and between TFCOs and appropriate State and Treasury offices. Updated contact information on every Embassy's officers as well as key officials at State and Treasury via Siprinet web page would be useful. (e) Suggestions on how to more effectively engage in public diplomacy, and community education and outreach on terrorist financing related issues. Periodic suggestions for op-ed pieces that could be submitted to local news outlets under the Embassy or Ambassador by-line. (f) Indication if TFCO and deputy have received FSI or other training in combating terrorist financing No. (g) What post needs from Washington agencies to make its TF work more effective. Nothing further required at this time. HERTELL