TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATION OFFICER

C O N F I D E N T I A L TALLINN 001000 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR EB/ESC/TFS, S/CT (PATTY HILL),INL/C/CP (STEVEN PETERSON),AND IO/PSC (JOHN SANDAGE) E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2012 TAGS: EFIN ETTC KTFN KVPR PREL PTER SUBJECT: TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATION OFFICER REF: SECSTATE 181096 Classified By: A/DCM ERIC JOHNSON FOR REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D) ¶1. (U) Contact information for Embassy Tallinn TFCO: Jessica Adkins, Political/Economic Section Chief; Phone: 372 668-8230; Unclassified E-Mail: AdkinsJL@state.gov; Classified E-Mail: AdkinsJL@state.sgov.gov. ¶2. (U) Contact information for Embassy Tallinn Deputy TFCO: Rebecca Raman, Political/Economic Officer; Phone: 372 668-8237; Unclassified E-Mail: RamanRC@state.gov; Classified E-Mail: RamanRC@state.sgov.gov. ¶3. (C) To date, Estonia has not reported any suspected or confirmed cases of terrorist financing. However, we feel that regional coordinating meetings could be useful in helping to identify potential cases. We also feel that Estonian officials could benefit from additional training on terrorist financing related topics. ¶4. (C) Estonia is not included on the CIA chart identified in reftel. Estonia's Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Prevention Act (MLTFPA) allows the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) to freeze suspicious financial transactions for two working days. If the account holder is unable to prove the legal origin of the money in question, the FIU may seize the funds for up to 10 working days while it seeks a court judgment. The judicial system has the ability to seize the assets of suspected terrorists indefinitely. Estonia is a party to the UN International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. Estonia implements UNSCRs 1267, 1373, 1390, and 1455. Estonia has adopted anti-money laundering legislation, established a FIU, is a member of Egmont, and is also a member of the regional Council of Europe select Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures. Estonia has frozen money laundering-linked assets and has the ability to freeze terrorist-linked assets under its money laundering legislation; however, Estonia has never found cause to freeze any terrorist-linked assets. Nevertheless, Estonia regularly conducts searches of its financial institutions for terrorist assets. Estonia regularly participates in the timely sharing of terror finance information, but has never had any independent information to contribute. Finally, Estonia regularly participates in outreach to United States intelligence and law enforcement agencies. WOS