TIMOR-LESTE: 2009 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM

UNCLAS DILI 000326 SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR S/CT: RHONDA SHORE AND NCTC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER ASEC PREL TT SUBJECT: TIMOR-LESTE: 2009 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM REF: STATE 109980 (U) Post offers the following submission in response to reftel. The Embassy Point of Contact is Jonathan Henick, Deputy Chief of Mission, henickj@state.gov. Timor-Leste Although Timor-Leste faces no serious indigenous terrorist threats, weak border security and the porous land and maritime borders with Indonesia present a serious vulnerability to external terrorist groups. The Timor-Leste government has expressed increasing concern about the potential international terrorist threat and has appealed to the United States and other international donors for assistance in strengthening its counterterrorism capabilities. Formal responsibility for policing in most of Timor-Leste continues to lie with the United Nations Mission in Timor-Leste. The United Nations Police and other bilateral partners work closely with the National Police of Timor-Leste to manage the borders and provide internal security. In addition, the National Intelligence Service, formally established in 2009, has also been charged with the prevention of terrorism, among other functions. Timor-Leste is not a party to any of the 16 international terrorism-related Conventions and Protocols, although the penal code adopted in 2009 criminalizes certain terrorist acts, the promotion or establishment of terrorist organizations, and most offenses related to terrorist financing and money-laundering. The government has prepared a separate draft law on money-laundering and counterterrorism financing which, if adopted, would bring Timor-Leste closer to compliance with international recommendations. KLEMM