EXBS: SLOVAKIA ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000094 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NP/ECC - PVANSON, ACHURCH, JOHN COFFEY DEPT FOR EUR/ACE - DMARTIN CBP/INA FOR PWARKER, BPICKETT USDOE/NNSA FOR TPERRY DOC FOR PETERSEN-BEARD PRAGUE FOR MARK CANNING VIENNA FOR KENNY MACDONALD BUDAPEST FOR JEFFREY IZZO WARSAW FOR THOMAS YEAGER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP ETTC PREL LO SUBJECT: EXBS: SLOVAKIA ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE - JANUARY 2005 ¶1. BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS. ¶A. January 1-9, 2005 - The EXBS Advisor was on vacation in the United States and arrived back in country on January 11, 2005. ¶B. January 10-14, 2005 - A delegation of Slovak Customs managers participated in a tri-lateral meeting with members of the Customs Services from Hungary and Poland to discuss the growing problems associated with cigarette smuggling from the Ukraine. The goal of the meeting was to share information and ensure consistency, among the three nations, in the enforcement of EU laws concerning cigarette smuggling. ¶C. January 17-21, 2005 - A delegation of Slovak Customs managers and other member countries of the World Customs Organization (WCO),visited with Kazakhstan Customs in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The WCO delegates shared their procedures, experiences, and insights on how joining the EU has affected their organization. Slovak Customs signed agreements to provide further assistance, vis--vis guidance and training, to Kazakhstan Customs. ¶2. COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD. ¶A. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS DURING REPORTING PERIOD. 1) January 24, 2005 - EXBS Advisor met with Directorate of Customs Director Vladimir Stasko and Head, Restrictions, Prohibitions and CAP Division Roman Moravec. The purpose of the meeting was to deliver some donated equipment and discuss the status of a new training program implemented by Slovak Customs for the search of Radioactive, Biological and Chemical weapons. Much of the material incorporated into this training is information gleaned from RADACAD Training in Richland, Washington last year. 2) January 26, 2005 - EXBS Advisor met with Head, Border and Alien Police Mr. Michal Borgula and Director, Fight Against Illegal Migration Mr. Imrich Schlosser. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss details for a proposed English Language Training Program that the EXBS Program will be funding for the Slovak Border and Alien Police. ¶B. TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING REPORTING PERIOD. None ¶C. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING REPORTING 1) January 24, 2005 - EXBS Advisor delivered 100 Inspection Tool Kits and spare parts for TSA PRM-470A Radiation Detection Devices to Customs Directorate of the Slovak Republic. Slovak Customs had requested EXBS assistance in funding and acquiring spare parts for their TSA Radiation Detection Devices, as some of them were starting to malfunction. Total value of the Tool Kits was approximately $20,000 and total value of the TSA spare parts was $4,172. ¶D. IMMINENT TRAINING OR EQUIPMENT STATUS UPDATE. None ¶E. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN EXPORT CONTROLS, NONPROLIFERATION, OR RELATED BORDER SECURITY. None. ¶3. RED FLAG ISSUES. None. Questions regarding this report can be directed to Larry Adkins, EXBS Senior Advisor, at AmEmbassy Bratislava at telephone no.: 421-2-5922-3375, fax: 421- 2-5922-3497 or through email at adkinslh@state.gov. THAYER NNNN