2007 COUNTERTERRORISM REPORT - POLAND

UNCLAS WARSAW 002409 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER ASEC EFIN KCRM KHLS AEMR PL SUBJECT: 2007 COUNTERTERRORISM REPORT - POLAND REF: SECSTATE 145633 ¶1. SUMMARY: There have been no reported terrorist groups or incidents in Poland. Despite this, Poland addresses counterterrorism issues domestically and internationally and is a firm partner of the United States in this sphere. Overseas, Poland provides about 1200 troops to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan while leading the multinational Division Center South (MND-CS) in Iraq with 900 troops. Domestically, Poland is monitoring groups, especially with ties to organized crime, for links to terrorism. END SUMMARY. ¶2. Poland supports antiterrorist efforts with vigorous participation in foreign missions. About 1200 Polish troops now serve ISAF in Afghanistan without caveats. In Iraq, Poland commands the MND-CS, headquartered in Ad Diwaniyah, and provides 900 troops engaged in active patrolling as well as training and advising Iraq's 8th Division. ¶3. Through participation in initiatives such as the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) and the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, Poland is actively engaged in many international forums for combating terrorist threats. In October 2007, Poland worked with Ukraine and Romania to conduct "Eastern Shield," an exercise to simulate the interdiction of materials used to construct Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and funded by the U.S. nonproliferation and disarmament fund (NDF). Poland's 21 December integration into the Schengen zone also serves as another strong argument for close collaboration with European neighbors on counterterrorism -- a collaboration that the Poles describe as robust. Poland also hosted a meeting of GUAM member states, European partners and the U.S. this fall to discuss counterterrorism issues that affect this region. ¶4. The bilateral Counterterrorism Working Group (CTWG), formed in 2005 to further U.S.-Polish collaboration on counterterrorism by synchronizing counterterrorism policy and training counterterrorism specialists, has continued its collaboration. In 2007, under the Combating Terrorism Fellowship Program (CTFP),Embassy Warsaw provided Poland with $430,000 for special operations officer training, regional seminars and terrorism focused programs. Additionally, the Warsaw Legatt,s office conducted a hostage taking tabletop exercise with local law enforcement, improving collaboration on threat management. ¶5. With Poland's inclusion into Schengen, the GOP is aware that the largest base for terrorist threats could emanate not only from the east in traditional areas, such as the migrant Chechen population, but might also stem from western neighbors who have previously had problems with radical Islamic groups. Polish authorities continue to be concerned by elements of the Muslim Chechen population who could more easily become radicalized. Groups with ties to organized crime constitute a significant concern due to their experience with and access to fake documentation, weapons and money laundering. The Polish government has extensive experience working against organized crime groups, which they can leverage in the fight against terrorism domestically. HILLAS