MONTENEGRO: 2008 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PODGORICA 000299

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR S/CT (RSHORE),NCTC, AND EUR/SCE (RHOUGE)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER ASEC EFIN KCRM KHLS AEMR MW
SUBJECT: MONTENEGRO: 2008 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM

REF: STATE 120019

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1. As requested in reftel, Post submission for the 2008 Country
Reports on Terrorism follows. POC for the terrorism report for
Montenegro is Alexandra Bonura. Tel number is (382) 20 410 -
500 ext. 528 and e-mail is BonuraAD@state.gov




2. There were no terrorist attacks or terrorist-related
incidents in Montenegro during 2008. Nevertheless, the
Government of Montenegro recognizes terrorism as a potentially
serious threat and strongly supports U.S. counterterrorism
efforts.




3. In September 2006, in what is known as the "Eagle's Flight"
case, 17 ethnic Albanians, four of whom are U.S. citizens, were
arrested and charged with planning terrorist acts to incite an
ethnic Albanian rebellion. After a lengthy trial, in August
2008, the Higher Court in Podgorica convicted the defendants of
plotting to disturb the constitutional order and security of
Montenegro. Sentences ranged from three months to six years and
six months in prison. The defendants are currently appealing.




4. Montenegro has been generally politically stable since
becoming independent of the former State Union with Serbia in
2006 following a peaceful referendum. The government has
embarked on a process of reforms to position the country for
future membership in NATO and the European Union. The Ministry
of Interior, through the Police Directorate and the Agency for
National Security (ANB),is primarily responsible for
counter-terrorism operations. In 2008, the Ministry of Interior
began work on a National Counter-Terrorism Strategy, which will
foster better counterterrorism cooperation among the different
institutions.




5. Montenegrin legislation on terrorism has been harmonized with
EU standards and UN conventions. Criminal acts of terrorism are
defined by Montenegrin Criminal Code Article 365 which states
that, "anyone who, with the intention of endangering the
constitutional order and security of Montenegro causes an
explosion or fire or undertakes other dangerous measures or
kidnaps a person, or commits another act of violence or
threatens to undertake some dangerous action or to use nuclear,
chemical, biological or other dangerous substance and whereby
may cause fear or feeling of insecurity of citizens shall be
punished by imprisonment for a term of three to fifteen years."




6. In 2007, the Parliament of Montenegro passed the Law on the
Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, and
during the same year the GoM's Agency for the Prevention of
Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (also known as the
Financial Intelligence Unit, or FIU) accepted the Financial
Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) Special
Recommendations on Terrorist Financing. The FIU also publishes
an international list of terrorists and terrorist organizations
established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1483.




7. Montenegro is a signatory to a number of international and UN
conventions and protocols against terrorism. In 2008,
Montenegro also ratified the Council of Europe's Convention on
the Prevention of Terrorism, and Convention on the Laundering,
Search, Seizure, and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and
on the Financing of Terrorism. In addition, Montenegro has
signed bilateral agreements and memoranda on police cooperation
in counterterrorism with almost all regional countries including
Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Albania,
as well as with Belgium, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, and Austria.





8. In 2008, the GoM completed the destruction of 1,500 of
approximately 1,700 Man-Portable Air Defense Systems, a USG
priority. Montenegro also has been supportive of international
efforts to support the government of Afghanistan. In 2007, the
GoM donated approximately one million dollars in small arms and
ammunition to the government of Afghanistan, and in December
2008, the Parliament of Montenegro authorized the deployment of
a Montenegrin military medical team to the International

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Security Assistance Force (ISAF).




9. Montenegro is not a known safe haven for terrorists.
Nevertheless, the Montenegrin authorities are focused on
potential threats stemming from Islamic extremists in
neighboring countries (Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
and the activities of very small groups of local Muslims
identified by many Montenegrins as "wahhabis."




10. Montenegrin police forces, including the "Special
Anti-Terrorism Unit," have received international and U.S.
training and equipment. For example, the Department of Justice
ICITAP program conducted a regional international terrorism
workshop in 2008 and provided training for the police organized
crime unit (also responsible for conducting terrorism
investigations). However, despite significant training and
equipment from outside donors, Montenegrin law enforcement and
security agencies require additional assistance to attain
international standards.
MOORE