CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST EUROPEAN INTERIOR MINISTERS

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 000798 SIPDIS C O R E C T E D C O P Y (CLASSIFICATION) E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/10/18 TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV AU SUBJECT: CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST EUROPEAN INTERIOR MINISTERS TO MEET JULY 17 IN VIENNA ¶1. (U) Classified by: Dean Yap, Econ/Pol Counselor, Department of State. Reason: 1.4(b) and (d). ¶2. (U) This message contains an Embassy recommendation and action request in para 8. ¶3. (C) Summary. Interior Ministers of 14 central and southeastern European states will gather in Vienna July 17-18 to discuss cooperation on internal security matters. This enhanced meeting of the Salzburg Forum ministers (CZ, AU, PL, HU, SL, SK, BU, RO) with their Western Balkan (HR, BH, SR, MK, MG, AL) counterparts will focus on supporting regional law enforcement programs, enhancing police cooperation, and improving counter-terrorism capabilities. In each area, cooperation between EU and non-European law enforcement will be a key component of the discussions. The Ministers plan to launch a major initiative on "Intercultural Dialogue and Internal Security" at the conference. The USG has been invited to send a representative (see para 6 below). End Summary. ¶4. (C) Austrian Interior Ministry official Kurt Hager (protect) provided Embassy with the draft program for the July meeting, as well as with the draft final statement and "conclusions" paper on intercultural dialogue that will be issues at the end of the meeting. Fostering Regional Initiatives -------------- ¶5. (C) Ministers will endorse existing regional law enforcement institutions and mechanisms, notably the SECI Center in Bucharest, and commit themselves to creating a legal framework for SECI's work to continue in the future Southeast European Law Enforcement Center. Police Cooperation -------------- ¶6. (C) Exchange of DNA data is a leading topic for discussion and Ministers will call on the European Commission to support Western Balkan states efforts to set up national DNA systems and participate in the Interpol DNA gateway. Counter-Terrorism -------------- ¶7. (C) Ministers are expected to endorse a regional conference on passport security and call on the EU to work more closely with the Western Balkans countries on visa policy. The major initiative of the meeting, though, is to be the launching of an initiative to improve existing and promote new "intercultural dialogue" (not defined) in the participating states and in the region, with the goal of countering radicalization. Child Pornography -------------- ¶8. (C) The confrence is also to address Internet child pornogrpahy, with particular reference to "the efforts made by the FBI" and the outcome of the scheduled July 16 U.S./Salzburg Forum States/Western Balkans meeting of experts. U.S. Role: Embassy Recommendation and Action Request -------------- -------------- ¶9. (U) Austrian Interior Minister Platter has invited Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff and FBI Director Mueller to attend the meeting, and would like a senior USG representative to address the Ministers. Post understands that neither Chertoff nor Mueller is able to travel. Nevertheless, this meeting offers an excellent opportunity for the USG to reach most senior central and eastern European C/T and anti-crime officials in an efficient way. Embassy Vienna urges the highest possible level of USG representation. Given Sec. Chertoff's personal engagement with European Interior Ministers on C/T issues, DHS would be an appropriate agency to represent the U.S. Embassy requests Washington response as to whether the U.S. will be able to send a senior representative to nxt month's meeting in Vienna. Kilner