EXBS: CROATIA/SLOVAKIA/SLOVENIA ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000056 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 - DECEMBER 2006 ¶1. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS Croatia -------------- 04 December, Participated in the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) presentation of the findings of the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Survey of Croatia. The findings revealed the presence of approximately 968,000 weapons in civilian hands in Croatia, of which 597,000 were considered unregistered and/or illegal. The total of registered weapons were 20% of US totals, 40% of Serbia, 50% of Bosnia, 100% of Bulgaria and 800% of the total for Hungary. Responsive to the survey findings the report reaffirmed Croatia's status as a transit state for all weapons trafficking from east to west and particularly the EU. The report also presented recommendations for legislative controls of civilian firearm possession to curb and control illegal and unregistered weapons. -------------- 05 December, Attended a meeting requested by the Minister of Interior (MoI),conducted by two Deputy Ministers and the General Counsel's office to address areas of concern and provide recommendations for the new SALW Gun Control legislation now pending in the Sabor. After review and discussion it was mutually agreed that the legislation could be strengthened by more precise language and compliance procedures. A review of the list of restricted weapons and components determined that some descriptions were ambiguous and needed to be more precise to eliminate the potential for opportunistic interpretative loopholes. The Amnesty provisions were strengthened to provide optimum opportunity for the public registration of legal weapons and reduced opportunities for the surrender of illegal weapons thereby removing any noncompliance advantage. -------------- 12 - 15 December, Commenced a review and revision of Croatia's Export Control legislation and Criminal Code with the assistance of a legal contractor from Export Management Solutions (CTP) sponsored by EXBS and the U.S. Department of Commerce. Representatives from the Ministry of Economy (MoE),Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and Public Prosecutor's Office attended the commencement meeting. As a result of discussion, the MoJ agreed to pursue further review and revision of the Criminal Code, in concurrence with the Export Control legislative revision process to introduce specific provisions applied to Export Control violations to enhance prosecutorial success. During the one-week session, drafts were developed for the Dual-Use and Munitions Laws and supportive regulations. It is anticipated that the drafts will be completed and provided for legislative review and approval by mid ¶2007. -------------- 14 December, Met with officials from the Ministry of Finance (MoF) Customs Directorate, to finalize documentation for the donation of a Rapiscan unit, Autovan and Gerber tools. -------------- 14 December, Met with the Austrian Advisor to MoF Customs Directorate to coordinate activities directed toward joint efforts for Customs Academy development. ¶2. TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING REPORTING PERIOD Slovenia -------------- November 31 - 01 December, As reported last month, the fourth deployment of the U.S. Commerce sponsored Internal Control Program (ICP) concluded on 01 December. The event was well attended due to the effort of the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce. All Slovenian Ministries responsible for presenting segments of the program demonstrated significant improvement toward generating interest in their scheduled presentations. There is an apparent learning curve at work within all ICP iterations directly influencing the responsive and progressive development among participant ministries. It is increasingly apparent in every session that presenters are assuming greater confidence and competence in understanding and conveying how the relationship linking the respective ICP roles and responsibilities lends strength to their Export Control program. BRADTKE