EXBS: CROATIA/SLOVAKIA/SLOVENIA ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ZAGREB 000224 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 - FEBRUARY 2007 ¶1. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS Croatia -------------- 02 February, accompanied the Minister of Interior (MoI),Deputy Head, Border Police (BP) Directorate, to Slovonia to meet with Osijek and Vinkovci District Chiefs to discuss border issues and monitor the opening session of the MoI Sensor Deployment training. It is derivative training of a USG (DTRA) sponsored "Tracking" (shadowing/pursuit) training held in Sept 2006. As reported, EXBS was asked to support this effort by donating additional sensor and GPS equipment to supplement the donations by DTRA during their training. The urgent need for this equipment to extend surveillance effectiveness along the heavily mined eastern border with Serbia and the adjoining southeastern border with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has been well established and documented. -------------- 26 February, met with the Assistant Director General, Minister of Finance (MoF) Customs Directorate, to discuss topics of interest and participation and in the International Export Control Conference to be held in Bucharest. Additionally, there was continuing dialogue on progress of the revisions to the Customs Code. While the ADG concurred that Customs requires compatible statutory jurisdictional and enforcement authority to fight against smuggling, commercial fraud and Export Control violations, traditional opposition to such a progressive mandate must still be overcome. -------------- 28 February, met with Head of Department, State Office for Nuclear Safety (SONS). The meeting was routinely scheduled to maintain a continuing dialogue to assess and discuss both progress and complications in instituting and implementing the various facets of Export Controls along with any emerging or related issues. A specific request was presented to consider donation of a Canberra Inspector 1000 NAL Spectrometer handheld multi-channel analyzer with a supporting IPRON-N Neutron Probe. The EXBS Advisor concurs with SONS that a single donation of this (2 piece) unit would be both appropriate and necessary to enable that office to effectively meet mission generated requirements and supports this request. -------------- 28 February, met with Assistant Minister, Ministry of Economy (MoE),Assistant Director General, MoF, Customs Directorate, and Head of Department, Department of International Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA),to distribute travel tickets and documents for the Bucharest International Export Control Conference, discuss issues relating to the conference and schedule a meeting for coordination of the Tracker Licensing Network installation. Slovakia -------------- 21 February, met with the Deputy Head, Ministry of Interior (MoI),Border and Alien Police (BAP),regarding donation of the encryption system which has been delayed due to the unanticipated extended delay in processing of the formal Grant Document. It was agreed that the donation would be released via a Grant Letter which would serve as an interim mutual receipt to record the official transfer of the property, to be formalized by both parties once the Grant Document is received. -------------- 21 February, met with the recently appointed Director General (DG) and senior staff, Minister of Finance (MoF) Customs Directorate, for a formal courtesy call, introduction and brief on the history of the USG EXBS Assistance Program to the Republic of Slovakia. The DG voiced appreciation for the efforts extended by EXBS to enhance the capacity of Customs, particularly in advancing their Export Controls enforcement and pledged assurances of continued cooperation and support to further that development assistance. -------------- 21 February, met with the Policy Analyst, Slovak Foreign Policy Association (SFPA),to discuss status of the ongoing Export Controls Assessment to measure the capacity and effectiveness of institutional development. It was reported that most of the data collection has been completed and the analysis is expected to be completed by the end of February 2007. Preliminary results indicate that while the framework for a potentially effective system has been instituted, there appears to be lapses in the implementation process, particularly with consistent Customs verification and enforcement. -------------- 22 February, conducted an introductory courtesy call on the ZAGREB 00000224 002 OF 002 recently appointed Director of Customs Criminal Office and Head of Department, MoF, Customs Directorate, to discuss EXBS Program assistance. It was agreed that the office required training in Export Control Enforcement, investigations and source development supported through industry outreach activities. The EXBS Advisor agreed to assist the Director in this regard. -------------- 22 February, met with the Acting Director, Department of Sensitive Goods Trading Management (Licensing),Ministry of Economy (MoE) to discuss problems with the Tracker Licensing Communication Network. There appears to be a malfunction with hard disc 5. An immediate request was made to replace the disc. ¶2. TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING REPORTING PERIOD Croatia -------------- 08-09 February, L3 Communications Ltd. presented installation training for their Mobile X-Ray Baggage Screening Unit (Mercedes Van) to approximately 20 officers of the MoF, Customs Directorate. -------------- 19-23 February, the U.S. Coast Guard Mobile Training Team provided Port Security Training to officers of the MoI BP Maritime Police, MOF Customs Directorate and Ministry of Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development, Office of Safety of Navigation and Maritime Environment Protection Authority (Harbor Masters) in Rijeka. The training was well attended and prompted effective interaction and cooperation among the participants. -------------- 12-16 February, the U.S. Coast Guard Mobile Training Team provided Port Security Training to officers of the MoI BP Maritime Police, MOF Customs Directorate and Ministry of Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development, Office of Safety of Navigation and Maritime Environment Protection Authority (Harbor Masters) in Split. The training was well attended and prompted effective interaction and cooperation among the participants. ¶3. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING REPORTING PERIOD Slovenia -------------- 14 February, Presented 85 Gerber tools to the Assistant Director General, MoF, Customs Directorate, in Ljubljana. BRADTKE