EXBS: CYPRUS EXBS REPORTING CABLE: JULY - SEPTEMBER 2006

UNCLAS NICOSIA 001717 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS CUSTOMS FOR CBP/INA RWATT, JGOUGE, DEPT FOR EUR/WE, EUR/NE, ISN/ECC - PVANSON, ACHURCH, JMCCLELLAN, EUR/ACE - DMARTIN USDOE/NNSA FOR TPERRY DOC FOR PETERSEN-BEARD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNPP CY SUBJECT: EXBS: CYPRUS EXBS REPORTING CABLE: JULY - SEPTEMBER 2006 (U) This cable is sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In June 2006, the Department of Energy's (DOE), Second Line of Defense (SLD) visited Cyprus to make logistical preparations for the upgrade of the radiation portal monitor located at Limassol. During the reporting period, three trainings were offered: 1) A "Global Transshipment and Enforcement Seminar: Synergies of Strategic Trade Control Elements" in Bangkok, Thailand on July 18-21, 2006; 2) A training session in July for using The Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control Database, a source of unclassified information on dual-use items and suspect end-users; SIPDIS and 3) a Hazardous Materials Training in September. At the conclusion of this training, HAZMAT equipment valued at USD 156,000 was donated to the GoC Fire Department. End summary. ¶2. (U) Based on guidelines issued by the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Office of Export Control Cooperation (ISN/ECC),this bi-monthly report provides a synopsis of activities relating to the Cyprus EXBS Office. The report includes activities relating to training, equipment procurement, meetings, developments affecting the program, and additional programmatic items of interest to other in-country Advisors and Washington agency managers. -------------- -------------- BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS -------------- -------------- ¶3. (U) There were no significant programmatic items that would be of interest to other in-country program Advisors or Washington agency managers. -------------- COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Department of Energy (DOE),Second Line of Defense (SLD) visited Cyprus in July 2006 for meetings with Port Authorities and Customs to identify the best location for the installation of the new Radiation Portal Monitor to be installed at Limassol Port in the near future. Separate meetings with Construction companies were also held. ¶5. (SBU) On August 25th, 2006 EXBS Program Coordinator visited ISN Bureau for consultations. Separate meetings were held with ISN/ECC, 
DOE and the AMT. During the meetings future trainings and equipment assistance issues for Cyprus were discussed. -------------- TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING REPORTING PERIOD -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Five Cypriot Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Customs, Marine Police and Ministry of Commerce attended the "Global Transshipment and Enforcement Seminar: Synergies of Strategic Trade Control Elements" in Bangkok, Thailand on July 18-21, 2006. Sponsored by the Department of State's Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program, this event provided practical methods and discussion on how to improve national strategic trade control systems in order to counter the threat posed by the transshipment of items of proliferation concern. ¶7. (SBU) During the month of July 2006 the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control Database, a source of unclassified information on dual use items and suspect end-users, was introduced to Cyprus courtesy of the DOD's International Counterproliferation Program (ICP). The purpose of the trip was to make contact with export control officials in Cyprus, to equip them with the Risk Report database and to teach them how to use it. Executive-level meetings were held on July 17 at Police Headquarters and at the Ministry of Commerce and at Customs. On July 18, a training session was held for 13 officials from four government agencies. ¶8. (SBU) On September 11-14, an EXBS-funded Hazardous Materials Training was held for 19 Cypriot Fire Department, Police, Customs, and Civil Defense officials by a visiting U.S. Customs team on the use of specialized equipment and on responding to the intentional or unintentional release of hazardous chemical or biological agents. At the conclusion of the training, a Mobile Mass Decontamination Unit and related equipment, including protective suits and chemical and biological test kits, were donated to the Fire Department. The participants were trained on the use of the donated equipment. -------------- EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING REPORTING PERIOD -------------- ¶9. (SBU) On September 15, 2006 on behalf of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, U.S. Ambassador Ronald L. Schlicher donated to the Cypriot Fire Department a Mobile Mass Decontamination Unit and related equipment designed to respond to emergencies involving the release of hazardous materials (see above). The equipment also included nine protective suits as well as chemical and biological test kits. The equipment is valued at USD 156,000. Several national Cypriot television stations and newspapers provided significant coverage of the hand-over ceremony, organized at the Cypriot Fire Department and attended by the Ambassador, the Chief of the Cypriot Fire Department, and the Acting Deputy Chief of Police. -------------- IMMINENT TRAINING OR EQUIPMENT STATUS UPDATE -------------- ¶10. (SBU) In October 2006 the Department of Defense's International Counterproliferation Program(ICP)is hosting a WMD Executive Seminar in Paphos, Cyprus. Forty (40) senior-level Cypriot Officials have been invited to participate at the Seminar from the Police, Customs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Defense, Cyprus Port Authority, Supreme Court, Attorney General's Office and other relevant agencies. -------------- SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN EXPORT CONTROLS, NONPROLIFERATION, OR RELATED BORDER SECURITY -------------- ¶11. (U) In July the Embassy's number one priority was to assist with the safe departure of 14,000 American citizens from Lebanon through Cyprus. Working 24/7 for three weeks the Embassy accomplished the "mission impossible". The EXBS Office had a vital role to play assisting at all ports and airports through its contacts with Customs, Police and Port Authorities. -------------- RED FLAG ISSUES -------------- ¶12. (U) There are no red flag issues to report. SCHLICHER