EXBS: CYPRUS EXBS REPORTING CABLE - JANUARY - APRIL

1. (SBU) Summary: On March 1, the EXBS Resident Advisor
Bob Granico left post and is not being replaced. The
EXBS program remains fully operational through FY 07 and
is led by the EXBS Program Coordinator under the
supervision of the Economic Officer. Twenty-four Cypriot
officials attended an Analytical Investigations Methods
Training in January and seventeen traveled to Charleston,
South Carolina in April for a Seaport Interdiction
Training. We are planning a DOE commodities
identification training program and an air cargo
interdiction training program for June. The Defense
Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) has scheduled a policy
visit in Cyprus in May. End summary.



2. (U) Based on guidelines issued by the Bureau of
International Security and Nonproliferation, Office of
Export Control Cooperation (ISN/ECC), this monthly report
provides a synopsis of activities relating to the
Mediterranean Regional 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.



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BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS


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3. (U) EXBS Advisor Robert Granico departed Cyprus on
March 1, 2006. The EXBS Office remains fully operational
through the EXBS Program Coordinator under the guidance
of the Embassy Nicosia ECON section.



4. (SBU) The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) has
scheduled a Policy visit to Cyprus in May with a view to
invite Cyprus to join the International
Counterproliferation Program (ICP) in the near future.



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COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD


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5. (SBU) The Economic and Commercial Officer attended the
EXBS Advisors Conference in Vienna, March 28-29, 2006.
During the Conference the acting Advisor shared and
expressed views related to the EXBS Office in Cyprus.



6. (SBU) The EXBS Program Coordinator met with the Head
of Investigations of the Department of Customs. The
primary focus of the meeting was to convince Customs to
add another member to the ASET (Anti Smuggling
Enforcement Team) in order to strengthen their
capabilities.



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TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING REPORTING PERIOD


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7. (SBU) During the week of January 23-27, 2006 the EXBS
Office sponsored Analytical Investigations Methods
Training. Twenty-four members of the Cyprus Police,
Customs and Fire Brigade attended the training.



8. (SBU) In April 2006, Seventeen Cypriot Customs
Officers, Marine Police and Anti-Terrorism Officers
attended the Seaport International Border Interdiction
Training (ISIT) in Charleston, S.C.



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EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING REPORTING PERIOD


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9. (SBU) In February 2006, one Laptop Computer and

various training gear (training guns, handcuffs etc) were
donated to the Anti-Terrorism Unit.



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IMMINENT TRAINING OR EQUIPMENT STATUS UPDATE


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10. (SBU) The National Nuclear Security Administration
(DOE/NNSA) is planning to hold a four-day WMD Commodity
Identification Training (CIT) Course in Cyprus in early
June.



11. (SBU) The Cyprus EXBS Office is coordinating the
local logistics for sending 9 Cypriot Customs and Police
Officers to New York in June 2006, for the International
Air Cargo Interdiction Training (IACIT).



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SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN EXPORT CONTROLS,
NONPROLIFERATION, OR RELATED BORDER SECURITY


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12. (U) There were no significant developments in export
controls, nonproliferation, or related border security.



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RED FLAG ISSUES


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13. (U) There are no red flag issues to report.

ZIMMERMAN