SLOVAKIA ON TRACK FOR 2008 SCHENGEN ACCESSION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRATISLAVA 000147

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR EUR/NCE AND EXBS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CVIS PGOV PREL PINR SOCI LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA ON TRACK FOR 2008 SCHENGEN ACCESSION



1. (SBU) Despite some early uncertainty and delays carried over
from the previous government, the current GOS seems motivated - and
able - to meet its deadlines for joining Europe's Schengen zone by
the end of the calendar year. Accession to the Schengen zone would,
in effect, certify that Slovak border controls are up to the same
standards as and compatible with the other countries party to the
Schengen treaty. On Monday, February 20, Slovak border authorities
showed off the first major upgrade to Slovakia's eastern frontier
with Ukraine, including a Chinese side-scan radar that can easily
detect smuggled goods and people hidden inside vehicles. Personnel
will also be steadily increased, from 650 to 900 border guards by
the end of the year.

GOVERNMENT FINALIZES CONTRACTS...
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2. (U) Eager for international approval and well aware of U.S.
scrutiny of their border controls as part of the visa waiver
roadmap, the Slovak government signed a EURO 28.8 million contract
in December with Swedish company Ericsson to install sensors and
cameras along the mountainous, 68 mile eastern border with Ukraine.
GOS officials are quick to point out that the same Ericsson
technology currently secures the Norwegian-Russian border. In
addition, special vehicles will be purchased to provide physical
security enhancements along the border, long considered a weak link
to any Schengen expansion. Ericsson expects the upgrades to be
completed by summer 2007.

UPGRADES: SO FAR, SO GOOD
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3. (U) Slovakia closed its Vysne Nemecke border with Ukraine to
cars and pedestrian traffic February 19, while installing technical
upgrades including a Chinese made side-scan radar capable of
providing detailed images of cars and trucks crossing the border.
Upgrades are expected to be completed by mid May. In addition, the
Ministry of Interior plans to meet its goals to raise the number of
border guards patrolling the eastern frontier with dogs and night
vision goggles from 650 to 700 by June, and to 900 by the end of

2008.

WORKING LEVEL CONTACTS FULLY CONFIDENT
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4. (SBU) MOI sources say that an additional five or six months
will be required to install a command and control center in the town
of Sobrance to monitor the new electronic surveillance system, which
will include monitoring of the two road, two rail, and one
pedestrian crossings to Ukraine. In meetings with U.S. and other
western diplomats, Slovak border professionals have been fully
confident that they will meet all Schengen requirements and become
full members of the Schengen zone by January 1, 2008. Senior
political officials - including the Deputy Minister of the Interior
responsible for Schengen implementation - say that Slovakia has
"given its word" to its EU neighbors that all requirements will be
met. Even privately, long-term contacts from the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, Customs Office, and Ministry of the Interior -
assuaged by the recent contracts and GOS resolve at the political
level - have voiced no serious concerns over Slovakia's accession.

HOW THE U.S. IS HELPING
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5. (SBU) To help Slovakia accomplish these goals, the USG has
provided:
-Training for border police and customs inspectors through EXBS,
including everything from English language instruction, to technical
expertise, investigation and border patrol techniques,
consultations, and even a visit by Navajo trackers;

-Equipment for border police and customs inspectors, including X-Ray
vans to search for contraband or dangerous cargoes in different
kinds of luggage and car parts, and vehicles for border patrol
purposes;

-Installment of DOE portal monitors to enhance Customs' capability
to effectively screen pedestrians, vehicles and rail traffic for
radioactive materials, in conjunction with other border upgrades.

In addition, PAS plans to highlight U.S. contributions to Slovakia
meeting its high-priority goal of Schengen accession in border
events with the Ambassador and relevant ministers.

CONSULAR IMPLICATIONS
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6. (SBU) From a Consular perspective, Schengen accession will have
little influence on NIV processing at Embassy Bratislava. It will,

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however, demonstrate an increased security posture which Slovakia
will likely highlight as part of its attempts to join the visa
waiver program. Most illegal immigrants in Slovakia are attempting
to travel west to France, Germany, and Italy, and very few third
country nationals (TCNs) apply at Embassy Bratislava. Still, the
expansion of the Schengen frontier will even further limit the
incidence of unqualified TCN applicants at the Embassy's consular
section.

VALLEE