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

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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