LATVIA: 2008 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM

UNCLAS RIGA 000801 SIPDIS STATE FOR S/CT (RHONDA SHORE) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER ASEC LG SUBJECT: LATVIA: 2008 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM REF: STATE 120019 ¶1. (U) Latvia's Financial Intelligence Unit continued to maintain a terrorist financing database that it shared with local banks. Since the May 2005 U.S. Treasury designation of two Latvian banks as institutions of "primary money laundering concern" under Section 311 of the Patriot Act, Latvian government and regulatory agencies have worked very closely with the United States to enhance their legislative and regulatory framework. There have been no further sanctions on Latvian banks. In 2006, Treasury lifted the proposed sanction against one bank. In the case of the second bank, the issue is specific to the bank and its ownership structure, and does not reflect Latvian regulatory efforts. ¶2. (U) On September 4, the Counterterrorism Center of the Latvian Security Police and the Freeport of Riga Authority organized the counterterrorism exercise "RiverJack" in Riga harbor. The scenario was a hostage situation on a hijacked passenger ferry. It included a fire during the hostage release operation. Representatives from the State Police (including the Counterterrorism Unit "OMEGA' and the Mobile Team "Alfa"),State Border Guards, State Fire and Rescue Service, Center of Emergency and Disaster Medicine, Mobile Team of the National Armed Forces, Navy Coast Guard Unit, Maritime Administration and the Prosecutor's General Office participated. The exercise was part of the counterterrorism plan "Ship", developed by the Counterterrorism Center. ¶3. (U) In 2008, Latvia contributed 150 soldiers to support the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, including deploying its first ever Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT). Latvia will continue to contribute to the ISAF mission at that approximate strength level in 2009. Latvia completed its participation in Iraq in 2008, with the last three officers returning in November. There are no plans to contribute Latvian soldiers to the Iraq mission in 2009. ¶4. (U) Post's point of contact for this report is Ann Mason (masonal@state.gov) 371-6703-6278. ROGERS