EXBS: ALBANIA MARITIME, ADRIATIC REGION REPORTING CABLE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TIRANA 000126 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR ISN/ECC - YWONG, ACHURCH, JBALDWIN, LSPRINGER STATE FOR EUR/ACE USCBP INA FOR JGOUGE, PWARKER SECDEF FOR DTRA CDRAKE USDOE FOR TMUSTIN, EMELAMED, KGARNER VIENNA PLEASE PASS TO ICE ATTACHE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP AL SUBJECT: EXBS: ALBANIA MARITIME, ADRIATIC REGION REPORTING CABLE FOR JANUARY 2008 ¶1. (U) BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS -- January 1, CROATIA: Ecological and Fisheries Protection Zone (EFPZ),essentially the Adriatic's practical application of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ),came in effect, applying the existing EFPZ to EU fishing fleets, countries and interests. How, when or if the new application will be enforced or pursued - and the impact on other Adriatic nations' regulation efforts of natural resources is unknown. ¶2. (U) COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD -- None to report. ¶3. (SBU) MEETINGS DURING REPORTING PERIOD -- January 17: EXBS Maritime Office met with the Albanian Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) regarding upcoming training and grants in support of Naval Forces. Topics also included the Croatian EFPZ for consideration with the Croatian CNO. The Croatian CNO made a reciprocal visit to Albania the week of January 22. The design, structure and interoperability with Croatian maritime command and control elements are being considered in development of the Inter-Agency Maritime Operations Center (IMOC). -- January 24: EXBS Maritime Office met with General Director of Customs regarding pending equipment grants and training events. Albanian customs anticipates delivery to Durres of a mobile x-ray unit grant from China. The unit might correspond to the other Chinese mobile units slated for delivery this year in Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo. Also discussed was the 17 percent decrease in cigarette revenue from the previous year and efforts, particularly focused on the northern borders, to counter possible smuggling activity. -- January 30: EXBS Maritime Office met with internet supplier/contractor to develop functional internet service plan for the Naval Department training center in Vlore. Installation and delivery will support EXBS sponsored and coordinated USCG training in March. ¶4. (U) TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD -- None to report. ¶5. (U) EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD -- January 31: Technical translation of CT-30 user manual completed. ¶6. (SBU) IMMINENT TRAINING OR EQUIPMENT STATUS REPORT: ALBANIA: -- Operational and communications equipment grant for Customs Maritime anti-contraband units delivery anticipated by March 2008. -- February 11-15: Eight Albanian agencies will participate in DTRA-sponsored WMD Threat Management course, resulting in over $500K worth of interdiction/detection equipment and operational training for Albanian law enforcement and emergency response organizations. -- February 29 - March 22: USCG Maritime Law Enforcement Instructor Training and Joint Maritime Law Enforcement Boarding Course at Naval Department training center in Vlore. -- March 24-28: The CBP Cross Border Exercise for Macedonia and Albania will focus on the Kafasan (Macedonia)/Qafe Thana (Albania) area BCP's. -- May 11: International Visitor Leadership Program - participants TIRANA 00000126 002 OF 002 scheduled travel. -- May 19-23: DOE End Use-End User Training, Tirana -- June 2-6: CBP Targeting and Risk Management Training, Tirana and BCP's TBD. -- July 14-18: DTRA Targeting and Risk Management Training, Tirana -- Summer 2008: Anticipated delivery of the first DAMEN 42-meter patrol boat to Albanian Naval Forces. -- September 8-19: CBP Inspection/Detection Equipment Training, BCP's TBD -- September 22-26: CBP International Seaport Interdiction Training, Durres, focused on Customs, Border police/MoI, Naval Forces and IMOC participant agencies. -- September TBD: USCG MTT - Seaport Security and Anti-terrorism course focused on newly hired Albanian Port Security Forces personnel. -- October 20-24: CBP International Border Interdiction II, Tirana and BCP's TBD -- FY 2008 TBD: USCG Incident Command System and Coastal Search and Rescue -- January 2009: Undercover Ops, Controlled Delivery Training SERBIA: -- July 10-27: USCG Basic Small Boat Operations Course MONTENEGREO: -- September 4-13: USCG Maritime Law Enforcement Boarding Officer Course BOSNIA: -- June TBD: Undercover Operations, Controlled Delivery Training ¶7. (SBU) SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN EXPORT CONTROLS, NONPROLIFERATION, OR RELATED BORDER SECURITY -- January 11: Small boat with Albanian nationals onboard was intercepted at Italian coastline. Italian maritime law enforcement pursued the migrant smuggling vessel back to Albanian territorial waters. Albanian Maritime Border Police vessel attempted to interdict the smuggling vessel. The Albanian nationals were reportedly forced to jump into the water. Albanian BP vessel picked up 11 people from the water. The suspected operators of the smuggling boat evaded capture, though the 11 meter boat is being modified for use by the maritime border police. COMMENT: This successful scenario serves as an example of how an effective Inter-Agency Maritime Operations Center (IMOC) in Albania might improve international and internal coordination of maritime assets to yield more complete results. ¶8. (U) PORTAL MONITOR ALERTS -- None. ¶9. (U) RED FLAG ISSUES -- None. ¶10. (U) POC: LCDR Timothy Conroy, email: conroyTC@state.gov, and Xhoana Kovaci, email: kovaciX@state.gov. WITHERS