EXBS: CROATIA/SLOVAKIA/SLOVENIA ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ZAGREB 001482 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR NP/ECC PVANSON, ACHURCH AND JMCCLELLAN; DEPT FOR EUR/ACE DMARTIN; CBP/INA FOR PWARKER; USDOE/NNSA FOR TPERRY; DOC FOR PETERSEN-BEARD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP HR LO SI SUBJECT: EXBS: CROATIA/SLOVAKIA/SLOVENIA ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE - NOVEMBER 2006 ¶1. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS Croatia -------------- 09 November, Met with Ministry of Finance (MOF),Customs Directorate, Operational and Customs Academy Department Heads at their request to tour the facility located on the grounds of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) Police Directorate Training complex. EXBS was asked for recommendations to enhance both curriculum and training methods, supportive of their expanding responsibilities, particularly relating to export controls consistent with EU and US standards. Discussion included the use of practical training techniques such as skill demonstration and problem solving exercises to instruct their Electronic Communication System and Operational Information System to collect, query, retrieve and exchange operational data. The potential for adding an interface between that system and a Case Management System to more effectively support their inspection, control, enforcement and future investigative activity was also discussed. EXBS agreed to assist with the development of practical exercises for evaluating trainees' performance in hidden compartment detection, container and conveyance inspection and search, contraband interdiction in conjunction with cargo clearance and verification of controlled commodities to complement EXBS training in those disciplines scheduled for 2007. Customs presented a non-paper outlining a request for USG support in assembling training props such as vehicles, containers, ramps, street signs and traffic signals in conjunction with a previously proposed mock-up Port of Entry (POE) facility. Use of this platform is intended to encourage joint training of both Customs and Border Police (BP) recruits to introduce and reinforce Integrated Border Management (IBM) practices. This concept was conditional upon MoI approval for participation and authorization for construction since it is situated on MoI property. This meeting marked the first tangible discussion in which Customs has acknowledged the need for alternative approaches and made a commitment to accept remedies. All EXBS recommendations are supported by the EU Customs Advisor from Austria. -------------- 14 November, Attended a meeting with the Department Head for the State Office for Nuclear Safety (SONS) to receive a proposal to improve the monitoring procedures for the Bregana BCP Portal Monitors. The monitors were provided by IAEA and installed by the Russian Government. The hardware included in the grant did not provide either the necessary supportive hardware, software or computer network interface to link the SONS office with the BCP for offsite monitoring. Currently, in the absence of an offsite monitor link, inspectors are required to stand 24-hour duty at the BCP to respond and evaluate each alarm for accuracy. Recommended monitor settings generate about 20 false alarms per 24-hour period requiring an inspector to be on site to respond to every warning. A network link between the BCP and the SONS office in Zagreb would enable offsite evaluation of alarms for accuracy and issue an immediate clearance or response order as appropriate. The specific proposal will be provided during consultations in January 2007. -------------- 14 November, EXBS was requested to observe an internal inter-ministerial meeting chaired by the Director General, State Office for Radiation Protection (SORP) and attended by Assistant Ministers from Finance and Health and Assistant Director Generals from the Customs Directorate, Border Police and Office of Nuclear Safety. Attendees discussed amending the Operational Protocol for Portal Monitors at the Bregana BCP to allow for greater sharing of responsibility in both the operation and alarm response. While the discussion was spirited, no decisions resulted. -------------- 16 November, EXBS and Embassy Zagreb Political Officer met with the Department for International Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA),to receive a non-paper outlining Croatia's request to host a Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Tabletop Exercise in spring 2007. The proposal apparently resulted from a discussion between a member of the MFA staff and a representative from International Security and Nonproliferation (IS/NP) while attending a recent PSI Exercise hosted by Poland and a reported reference during discussions between the Foreign Minister and the Secretary of State incident to the Prime Minister's official visit to Washington. They were advised their request would be forwarded to IS/NP for due consideration as reported by front and back channel communication. -------------- 24 November, Attended an International Donor's Group meeting ZAGREB 00001482 002 OF 002 hosted by the OSCE. International representation aside from OSCE and EXBS Embassy Zagreb included International Organization for Migration (IOM),UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the Embassies of the UK, Norway and Greece. The meeting provided reporting on current activities and emphasized coordination of scheduled activities. -------------- 29 November, Met with the Second Secretary, UK Embassy and DFID representative at their request to coordinate joint Export Control and Border Security initiatives. Specific topics included coordination of the UK sponsored trip for Croatian Export Control officials to tour the UK export licensing authority and efforts to enhance Border Police effectiveness on the Eastern border with Serbia. -------------- 29 November, EXBS and Embassy Zagreb Political Officer met with the Department for International Security, MFA, to provide a response to a request to host a PSI Tabletop Exercise in spring ¶2007. It was reported that Slovenia had previously requested hosting a similar event during the same timeframe to which the MFA officials indicated no prior knowledge. MFA was informed that any exercise should be joint and that any final decision would be made by Washington and they would be advised accordingly. While support for their request was extended no promises or special considerations were offered. -------------- 20 November, met with Ministry of Economy (MOE),Head of Trade Policies (Licensing) and Senior Counselor to discuss status of Export Control legislation revisions and agenda for the upcoming Industry - Government Forum. MoE reaffirmed their request for EXBS assistance in the revision process to ensure it could be complete as soon as possible. Slovakia -------------- 03 November, met with the Analyst for Slovak Foreign Policy Association to discuss framework and procedures for conducting a scheduled assessment of Slovakia's Export Controls process and procedures within the Slovak MOE, Department of Sensitive Goods Trading Management. The assessment is tentatively scheduled to commence during November. NOTE: In coordination with Embassy Bratislava it was subsequently agreed to postpone the assessment until early 2007, due to the nomination of a new Department Head within the Ministry following recent National elections. Slovenia -------------- 29 November, met with Ministry of Economy (MOE),Undersecretary for Foreign Economic Relations (Licensing) regarding the status of the Tracker Site Survey and Questionnaire. It was reported that a final approval by the Minister has not yet been extended. ¶2. TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING REPORTING PERIOD Croatia -------------- 14-15 November, A two-day Industry-Government Forum was hosted by the Ministry of Economy (MOE) Trade Policy Division with the support of and participation of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, EXBS, DOC and CTP. The forum was opened with welcoming remarks from the MOE Assistant Minister for International Economic Relations and the U.S. Ambassador to Croatia. The program included a series of presentations and round table discussions on building effective partnerships to support export controls and protect industry integrity. Slovenia -------------- 30 November - 01 December, the fourth deployment of the U.S. Commerce sponsored Internal Control Program (ICP) was conducted with the excellent assistance of the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce. The event was well attended and the Slovenian Ministries responsible for presenting segments of the program demonstrated significant improvement toward generating interest in their scheduled presentations. BRADTKE