EXBS: CROATIA/SLOVAKIA/SLOVENIA ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ZAGREB 000365

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 - MARCH 2007



1. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS

Croatia

-------------- 01 March, attended a meeting called by the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (MFA) Ambassador at Large, which also included Customs
Directorate and Ministry of Economy representatives, to discuss the
topics for inclusion in the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)
Customs Authorities Workshop planned as an adjunct to the
Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) World
Congress scheduled for April in Dubrovnik. EXBS agreed to MFA's
request to attend a planning session to be held in Dubrovnik later
in the week. EXBS further agreed to MFA's request to participate in
the workshop by preparing and delivering a paper on Customs
enforcement legal framework and as a contributing panel member to
the roundtable discussion.

-------------- 06 March, attended a planning meeting in Dubrovnik to meet
officials of the OPCW and observe scheduling details discussed for
the CWC Customs Authorities Workshop and OPCW World Congress. EXBS
agreed to participate in the Congress and deliver a paper on
"Incentives for Industry - Government Outreach".

-------------- 20 March, met with the Ministry of Interior (MoI),Deputy Head,
Border Police (BP) Directorate to discuss logistical arrangements
for the Border Tracking Training scheduled for June. Within days
after this meeting which initiated scheduling negotiations and
decisions within the MoI to ensure support facility and participant
availability, the training was abruptly cancelled by USG.

-------------- 21 March, met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Head of
International Security Department, to discuss general issues related
to legislation revisions and updates, Tracker, general points
associated with the Licensing Commission, implementation of
enforcement procedures and related topics. This discussion is a
continuing dialogue to share points of concern and explore effective
solutions intended to instill confidence and self-determination
toward achievement of an efficient and productive export control
regime.

-------------- 21 March, attended a reception hosted by the State Office for
Radiation Protection (SORP) attended by government representatives
from Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia.
The reception marked the conclusion of a two-day regional meeting
to discuss and agree to a harmonized response to detected transport
and shipment of radioactive contaminated metal waste. This assembly
produced the basis for an International South Eastern European
Regional Cooperation Agreement to exchange information and
assistance toward the detection, containment and decontamination of
radiated shipments of scrap metal waste. This would be the first
such document in Europe and conducted without either EU or US
direction or involvement.


-------------- 21 March, attended a regularly scheduled luncheon meeting with
the State Office for Nuclear Safety (SONS),Director and Head of
Department to discuss general topics covering portal monitor
requirements, coordination of responsibilities with SORP, training
aids and other issues related to sustaining Commodity Identification
Training in Croatia. While ideas and solutions were exchanged no
specific outcome resulted.

-------------- 21 March, met with the UNDP Chief Technical Advisor to discuss
progress in the UNDP sponsored twinning (type) project to imbed an
EU Export Control Licensing Advisor within the Ministry of Economy
and coordinated through the MFA. The project had been introduced to
EXBS for guidance and support. As a means to ensure continuity with
EXBS goals, a potential candidate from Estonia who has assisted the
EXBS program internationally and holds the approval and support of
the GOC was suggested. The UNDP and GOC are developing terms of
reference for the project proposal which will then be advertised for
other possible EU candidates. While any potential contributions of
this project toward achievement of long term Export Controls
development goals is yet to be defined, it offers greater continuity
and involvement between US and EU efforts, particularly if the EXBS
suggested candidate is selected. At this time no additional
candidates have been identified.

-------------- 21 March, met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA),
Assistant Minister and Head of Department International Security and

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the Ministry of Economy (MoE) Head of Trade Policy. The discussion
was membership in Australia Group, continued EXBS cooperation, the
upcoming CWC Workshop and OPCW World Congress and a status update on
export control legislative reform. The revised control lists are
expected to be adopted by April; the revised Criminal Code with new
penalty provisions should be ready by July, followed by the
Munitions Law now in committee and a revision of the Dual-Use
legislation expected by fall.


Slovakia

-------------- 15 March, met with Ministry of Finance (MFA),Customs
Directorate, Criminal Investigations Office Head of Department. The
discussion was directed toward establishing a training goal and
measurable objectives for developing curriculum for Customs
Investigations and Source Development training. A number of options
were put forward and discussed and it was agreed to conduct a
follow-up meeting in April.

-------------- 15 March, met with the Deputy Head, Ministry of Interior (MoI),
Border and Alien Police (BAP),provided the donation Grant Agreement
for the encryption system which had been delayed due to prolonged
processing. It was agreed that the encryption system can now be
delivered as soon as the paperwork is complete.

-------------- 22 March, 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
and unsuccessful efforts to determine the status of the shipment
containing the upgrade hardware components. No additional computer
terminals have been received although they were assigned a TO and
arrangements were reportedly made for shipment. The EXBS Advisor is
still awaiting an update on the status of this TO.


2. TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING REPORTING PERIOD

Croatia

-------------- 06-08 March, delegates from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs,
Economy and Finance (Customs Directorate),attended the
International Export Control Conference in Bucharest.

-------------- 06-09 March, the U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear
Security Administration (NNSA) provided Commodity Identification
Training (CIT) to approximately twenty five representatives from the
MOE, MFA Customs, MOI, SONS and SORP. The workshop was very
successful. NNSA representatives will return to Croatia in May to
discuss assistance in ensuring CIT training can be assumed and
continued by SONS and SORP.

Slovakia

-------------- 07-08 March, the U.S. Commerce Department provide Internal
Control Program (ICP) training to approximately 32 industry
representatives in Piestany. The training, hosted by the Slovak
Chamber of Commerce was well attended and successful.

Slovenia

-------------- 14-15 March, the U.S. Commerce Department provide Internal
Control Program (ICP) training to approximately 10 industry
representatives in Ljubljana. The training, hosted by the Slovenian
Chamber of Commerce was well attended and successful.


3. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING REPORTING PERIOD

Slovenia

-------------- The MoF, Customs Directorate, Head of Enforcement continues to
wait for a corrected Grant Document referencing the 14 February
grant donation of Gerber tools. The original grant document was
withdrawn and returned to Washington after it was discovered the
Government of Slovenia had been identified as the Government of
Croatia. Customs needs the document to comply with VAT
requirements.

BRADTKE