POLAND'S RESPONSE TO GLOBAL PURSUIT OF TERRORIST

UNCLAS WARSAW 002614 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR S/CT FRED VOGEL STATE FOR CA ALCY FELICK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KVPR PTER PREL PGOV PINR CVIS ASEC KHLS PL SUBJECT: POLAND'S RESPONSE TO GLOBAL PURSUIT OF TERRORIST INFORMATION EXCHANGE REF: STATE 190832 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Through various interviews with GOP officials, Post obtained the following responses to reftel questions on databases, watchlists, information sharing and biometrics. In response to reftel question, given the information below, Poland appears to be a valid partner for data sharing. END SUMMARY. -------------- Immigration Databases -------------- ¶2. (SBU) As far as we have been able to determine, Poland has no immigration database that tracks entries and exits. However, the Polish Border Guard maintains a database which gathers information on "someRQ'ZQKk~| as instructed by Polish courts or other "authorized" institutions. Fingerprints from applicants for refugee status are checked against an EU-wide refugee/asylee computer database. The database does not contain criminal or security-related data. Individuals who have applied as refugees in another EU country are, per the Dublin II regulations, returned to the EU country of first application. There are no regular criminal checks on refugees/asylum seekers. -------------- Watchlists and Information Sharing -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Polish Border Guards maintain an index of aliens whose residence in Poland is considered undesirable. This index is updated daily and is also made available to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for transmission to Polish consular officers to use in visa screening. Poland also employs "No Fly" lists from the Transportation Security Administration, at least for flights to the U.S. ¶4. (SBU) We understand that various Polish government entities hold other lookout or watchlist type information. However, information sharing between agencies is not automated and requests for information held by one agency must be made in writing or by phone by the requesting agency. ¶5. (SBU) When Poland accedes to the Schengen Agreement on December 31, 2007, this case-by-case method of communication will be replaced by the Schengen Information System, an international interagency database, which will include the following information: - Persons wanted for arrest for extradition purposes; - Persons refused entry based on a threat to public order or national security, such as: aliens with convictions; aliens suspected of committing serious offenses, or proven to intend to commit such offenses; aliens deported, removed or expelled; aliens who have disappeared; aliens who need to be placed in a place of safety; witnesses; aliens who are summoned to appear before the judicial authorities or to serve a custodial sentence; - Persons or vehicles to assist prosecution of criminal offenses and to assist in the prevention of threats to public safety; - Objects sought for seizure or for evidence in criminal proceedings; - Police or security checks conducted on refugees/asylees -------------- Biometrics -------------- ¶6. (SBU) According to Colonel Leszek Buja, Deputy Director of Border Traffic, Polish Border Guard, "There are no biometric systems functioning at Polish points of entry." However, Polish authorities plan to install them in the near future. ¶7. (SBU) Poland began producing ICAO compliant biometric diplomatic e-passports in March 2006 and regular biometric e-passports in early September 2006. The biometric is a facial image, stored on a chip. In order to meet EU requirements, all Polish biometric e-passports will include fingerprints by June 2009. Authorities have already started a pilot program scanning applicants' fingers on a trial basis at two of the country's passport offices. In the future, retinal scans may possibly be added. ¶8. (SBU) Since June 2001, all regular Polish passports have digital photos and are machine-readable. Digital photos and machine readable strips have been included in Polish diplomatic passports only since January 2006. HILLAS