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.

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Immigration Databases
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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.

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Watchlists and Information Sharing
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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

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Biometrics
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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