EXBS: CROATIA/SLOVAKIA/SLOVENIA ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ZAGREB 000178 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 - JANUARY 2007 ¶1. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS Croatia -------------- 04 January, met with Minister of Interior (MoI),Deputy Head, Border Police (BP) Directorate, to discuss the FBI Terrorism and WMD Proliferation and Coast Guard Port Security trainings scheduled for January and February respectively, along with plans by the MoI to replicate the "Tracking" (i.e. trailing) training held in Sept 2006. EXBS was asked to support this derivative training by providing additional sensor and GPS equipment as DTRA did in the initial training. This equipment would enhance patrol efforts along the heavily mined eastern border with Serbia and the adjoining southeastern border with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to deter migrants and traffickers frequenting the dangerous area. Due to other priorities, the area will doubtfully be cleared within the next 10 to 20 years. Officials were also reassured they would eventually receive the mustang suits and lap tops promised last year. Slovakia -------------- 16 January, met with the Director General (DG) and staff, Minister of Finance (MoF) Customs Directorate, for formal discussions with representatives for the Office of the Second Line of Defense, National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Department of Energy (DOE),regarding presentation and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the replacement/installation of all portal monitors in Slovakia; discuss installation requirements and review individual responsibilities. Subsequent to this meeting, members of the DOE team set out to conduct site visits at the selected installation location. Prior to this meeting the EXBS Advisor and Coordinator met with the DG to present donation grants and mutual signing of the formal grant document. Slovenia -------------- 29 January, met with the Department Head of Export Control Licensing, Directorate for Foreign Relations, Ministry of Economy (MoE),to discuss completion of preparations for the commencement of the Internal Control Program (ICP) training and a status report on the Tracker Computer System Questionnaire now being generated throughout the government. While all preparations for the training have been completed and will commence on schedule, it was disclosed that the questionnaire is being held up due to the influence of a single dissenting MOE Advisor. These issues must be resolved before the form can be completed and returned for further consideration and action. Throughout the month, a continual series of general meetings were conducted with representatives of both the Croatian government and the EU, with no particular conclusive results beyond reinforcement of a coordinated determination to promote, institute and enhance development of a responsive export control program and strengthened border security integrity. ¶2. TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING REPORTING PERIOD Croatia -------------- 22-26 January, the EXBS Advisor accompanied six (6) Croatian officials representing the Ministries of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Economy (MoE) and Interior (MoI) to Vienna to attend an EXBS-sponsored seminar on regulating Brokering activities as a component of Export Controls. At the conclusion of the one-week session, all attendees independently voiced high praise for the professional competence and credentials of the instructor and endorsed the event's content and responsiveness to their respective needs. All indicated strong interest in attending future seminars presenting increasingly complex but practical approaches to implementing elements of Export Controls. The EXBS Advisor, simultaneously monitoring both this seminar and an ICP in Slovakia, was equally pleased by the selection of the seminar lecturer and responsiveness of the program content. It is recommended that since three (3) key figures representing Ministries of Finance (MoF) Customs Directorate and Defense (MoD),were unable to attend due to prior commitments, they be included in the scheduled regional Brokers Seminar in late spring 2007, also to be held in Vienna. -------------- 22-26 January, The EXBS Coordinator accompanied approximately ZAGREB 00000178 002 OF 002 twenty-five officials representing the MoI BP and MoF Customs to a weeklong awareness training on Terrorism and Proliferation of WMD, conducted by the FBI in Osijek. It is hoped that this training, essentially a reiteration of similar awareness sessions, might contribute to a more assertive effort in pursuing investigations of export control violations. Attendees, in general, found the information presented to be enlightening and useful. Slovakia -------------- 25 - 26 January, A deployment of the U.S. Commerce sponsored Internal Control Program (ICP) was conducted during this period in Banska Bystrica. The workshop, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Ministry of Economy (MoE) was well received. Approximately 18 - 26 participants, representing a good cross section of the economy, including both dual-use and munition manufacturers and exporters were in attendance. Slovenia -------------- 30 - 31 January, The fifth deployment of the U.S. Commerce sponsored Internal Control Program (ICP) concluded on 31 January in Ljubljana. The event was well attended due to the continued efforts of the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce. Presenters demonstrated increased competence, composure and flexibility while addressing their areas and responded to arising questions and concerns with accuracy and conviction. It is hoped that the ongoing personnel shifts within the MOE will not have a negative impact on the progress of industry - government relations and the ICP. ¶3. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING REPORTING PERIOD Croatia -------------- 25 January, Presented a Mercedes Van Mobile X-Ray Baggage Screening System to MoF Customs Directorate in Zagreb. Slovakia -------------- 16 January, Presented seven (7) Radiation Detectors, two (2) Survey Meters and one (1) Isotope Identifier to MoF Customs Directorate in Bratislava. BRADTKE