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 PODGORICA 00000299 001.2 OF 002 ¶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 PODGORICA 00000299 002.2 OF 002 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