EXBS: KOSOVO MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE - JULY 2009

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PRISTINA 000332 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR ISN/ECC - RBALDWIN STATE ALSO FOR EUR/SCE FOR SSHIRATORI; EUR/ACE FOR DFROMAN USCBP/INA FOR BSUBER DTRA ALEX WASHDC FOR MMYERS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP KV SUBJECT: EXBS: KOSOVO MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE - JULY 2009 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED ¶1. (SBU) BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS None to report. ¶2. (SBU) COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD None to report. ¶3. (SBU) SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS DURING REPORTING PERIOD A) July 14, 2009 - EXBS Advisor Milam and Program Assistant met with Ms. Suzana Krasniqi, Director of Legal Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to discuss the upcoming Legal/Regulatory course in Kosovo, and agreed on October 5-9, 2009 as the dates for the course. EXBS Advisor and Krasniqi also discussed the upcoming "Best Practices" Visit by Croatian Government representatives to Kosovo on October 19, 2009. B) July 15, 2009 - EXBS Advisor and Program Assistant conducted a site visit at the Vermnica Border Crossing Point (BCP) between Kosovo and Albania. Mr. Xhemajl Perkaj, Head of the Vermnica Customs Unit, welcomed and thanked the EXBS program for its continuous support with training and equipment for Customs. Advisor and Perkaj discussed the donation of a baggage X-Ray system and commercial Pallet X-Ray system placement locations for the equipment at the BCP. -- Equipment issued and being used by Border Police: - Radiation pagers - Tool kit and inspection mirrors - Buster - Mobile X-Ray Van. C) July 29, 2009 - EXBS Advisor conducted a site visit of BCPs between Kosovo and Serbia at Gate 5 and Gate 6. Mr. Naim Cerkini, Head of the Customs Unit, welcomed the EXBS program and discussed Kosovo's integrated border management program and upcoming training programs with EXBS in Kosovo. -- Equipment issued and being used by Border Police: - Radiation pagers - Tool kit and inspection mirrors ¶4. (U) Equipment usage report: None to report. ¶5. (SBU) TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING REPORTING PERIOD A) June 29 - July 3, 2009 - International Rail Interdiction Training (IRIT) took place in Pristina. Twenty-four (24) representatives from the Kosovo Customs and Border Police attended the training, which was comprised of classroom and practical exercises, the latter taking place at the railroad yard south of Pristina. ¶6. (U) EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING REPORTING PERIOD None to report. ¶7. (SBU) IMMINENT TRAINING OR EQUIPMENT STATUS UPDATE -- U.S. Border Patrol training for Kosovo Border Police is expected to begin the week of September 28, 2009. -- Legal/Regulatory training for GOK officials is expected to begin the week of October 5, 2009. ¶8. (U) SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN EXPORT CONTROLS, NONPROLIFERATION, OR RELATED BORDER SECURITY None to report. ¶9. (U) PORTAL MONITOR OR RADIATION PAGER ALERTS PRISTINA 00000332 002 OF 002 None to report. ¶10. (SBU) Point of contact is EXBS Advisor Christopher Milam, telephone +377-44-508-016, e-mail MilamCJ@state.gov MURPHY