EXBS: CROATIA/SLOVAKIA/SLOVENIA ADVISOR MONTHLY

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000469 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR NP/ECC PVANSON, ACHURCH, AMAGOULAS 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 - MAR 2006 ¶1. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS Croatia -------------- 15 Mar, met with the MoF, Customs Directorate, Assistant Director General (anti-smuggling) and International Liaison Analyst to discuss interest in Port Security Training sponsored by DTRA. It was agreed to provide 20 Customs personnel for this training event. Customs representatives requested that the training emphasis be refocused toward a "hands-on" inspection, interdiction and port security initiatives. -------------- 15 Mar, met with the EU Commission to discuss the progress of ongoing mutual international assistance programs currently provided to the MoF Customs Directorate and discuss viable options toward promoting more effective goal achievement. -------------- 15-16 Mar, met with the EU CARDS Integrated Border Management (IBM) Project Advisor to the Customs Directorate to coordinate the EXBS and CARDS IBM training assistance to ensure that all training would be supportive and complimentary to the Customs Directorate capacity building goals and objectives. -------------- 17 Mar, met with the MoI Head, Maritime and Airport Border Police to present and evaluate proposed equipment donations sponsored by the USCG based upon findings of the U.S. Coast Guard Assessment of the Maritime Police in Feb 2006. The Maritime Police further agreed to propose officers to attend the DTRA sponsored Port Security training scheduled for 24-28 Apr 2006. -------------- 24 Mar, met with the Assistant Minister of Sea, Tourism and Transportation (MoSTT) who agreed to propose approximately 10 personnel to attend the DTRA sponsored Port Security training scheduled for 24- 28 Apr 2006. Slovakia -------------- 20 Mar, met with the MoF, Customs Directorate Head of Anti-Smuggling to receive their request for Risk Analysis and Management training as well as training directed toward enhancement of their Customs training staff, particularly for course developers and training program management. Neither of these trainings, in any form, is identified in the 2006 plan and should be incorporated into 2007 �0A;projections. Slovenia. -------------- 10 Mar, met with representatives from the MFA and MoE, to verify dates for the third iteration of ICP training. It was agreed to schedule this training for 1-2 Jun 2006. The MoE Directorate for Foreign Economic Relations (Licensing Department) would contact the Chamber of Commerce to begin the invitation process and coordinate with the ICP contractor to secure training facilities. -------------- 20 Mar, met with the MoF, Customs Directorate Head of Anti-Smuggling to discuss introduction of a Case Management System for Customs. Slovenian Customs believe they have identified sufficient funds to cover the purchase of any system hardware and equipment but definitely needs EXBS assistance to select the most effective system and to cover the cost of training and software. It was agreed that EXBS would identify potential case management models for review. Since U.S. Customs has Case Management training at the academy in FLETC, it is suggested that a visit be scheduled to pursue development of this request. Since this is one of the few times Slovenian Customs has indicated a need for EXBS assistance, beyond an equipment donation, it is important that we are responsive and use this opportunity to foster a more positive relationship through confidence building. We will begin local assistance in the fundamental development of this program and request support and coordination to facilitate a potential visit to U.S. Customs Academy at FLETC to review their Case Management system. Advisor's Conference -------------- 28-29 Mar, Attended the EXBS Advisor's Conference in Vienna, which offered a positive forum for coordination with management and donor agencies. As a suggested change, the inclusion of country desk officers might enhance the coordination effort. 2.TRAINING Croatia/Slovakia -------------- 20-22 Mar, three officials from the Croatian MoE Trade and Licensing traveled to Bratislava to participate in a "Best Practices" 2-day workshop hosted by the Slovakian MoE Department of Sensitive Goods and Licensing. The primary topic was directed toward comparison of developmental experiences and "lessons learned" to apply to the implementation of the Tracker licensing database system. The workshop was a success and fostered a closer working g relationship between the two ministries. -------------- 27-31 Mar, the DTRA-sponsored ARIEX 06 Exercise promoting a regional counter-proliferation initiative was held in Split with positive results. The exercise resulted in an effective demonstration of cooperation and coordination potential testing the multi ministry capacities of Croatia, Macedonia and Albania to detect, identify, interdict, investigate and deter the threat of nuclear smuggling. There were a large number of dignitaries present representing both participant and observer countries. In preparation for the scenario exercise DTRA conducted supportive classroom training in crime scene and criminal investigation and response to radiation hazards. Slovakia -------------- 06-09 Mar, representatives from the Ministries of Finance, Economy and Foreign Affairs attended a United States-Slovakia National Control List Technical Workshop in Washington, DC. All attendees were very pleased with the workshop content and felt the information learned would be beneficial to the effectiveness of their efforts. FRANK