EXBS ALBANIA REPORTING CABLE FOR DECEMBER 2009

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 TIRANA 000033 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR ISN/ECC - JFRIEDMAN, ACHURCH, JBALDWIN, LSPRINGER STATE FOR EUR/ACE USCBP INA FOR BSUBER SECDEF FOR DTRA MMYERS VIENNA PLEASE PASS TO ICE ATTACHE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP AL SUBJECT: EXBS ALBANIA REPORTING CABLE FOR DECEMBER 2009 ¶1. (U) BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS --None. ¶2. (U) COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD See paragraphs 4 and 5 below discussing equipment and training. ¶3. (SBU) MEETINGS DURING REPORTING PERIOD --December 11: Maritime Advisor (MA) met with the newly appointed Durres Customs House Director, Mr. Bujar Vukaj. Vukaj expressed his appreciation for EXBS support and training courses provided to date. He asked for assistance in determining the most appropriate placement of the NucTech scanner as he wants to start screening exports, in addition to imports already being screened. Vukaj also requested additional training on scanner image analysis and risk analysis. MA inquired about establishing a training facility at the port, outfitted with equipment provided by EXBS and a designated area provided by the Port Authority as Customs does not have sufficient space. A Memorandum of Understanding could be developed to ensure that all agencies operating in the port have access to the training room. Vukaj endorsed the idea and stated he would work on a joint agreement with the Port Authority to establish a training facility. --December 15: MA met with the Director of Border and Migration Police, Mr. Pellumb Nako. Nako gave a brief overview of his upcoming projects related to the Inter-institutional Maritime Operations Center (IMOC),including meeting with IT specialists from all IMOC institutions to identify equipment needs to support the operations center. Nako provided MA with the Border Police's Basic Training Program for his officers. Nako has identified two trainers for maritime operations and these officers graduated from the Naval Academy. However the Training Program does not provide for any courses specifically related to maritime issues such as boat handling or navigation. Nako has not made any provisions for such training and does not understand that such training is essential for his officers operating in a maritime environment. Nako asked MA to provide input to the Training Program and MA will meet further with Nako and his blue border sector chiefs to ensure that appropriate maritime training is incorporated. Nako informed MA that a new �00A;facility to accommodate both Delta Force and Border Police units will be built in Radhima, Vlore. This facility will also serve as a training venue and maintenance facility for Border Police boats. There is no indication yet when the facilities will be operational. --December 15: MA met with Customs Operations Center Director, Mr. Aleksander Mucko to discuss the status of equipment donated by EXBS. Mucko reported that all equipment donated to date had been disbursed. Mucko provided a spreadsheet, compiled jointly with the Border Police to include equipment donated to that agency, indicating the specific field units that had received the equipment. MA will conduct field visits to verify the accuracy of the information provided by Customs. Mucko reported that Border Police and Customs are working cooperatively to ensure that all border crossing points have a minimum outfit of inspection equipment. Customs and Border Police plan to start doing field checks at the beginning of 2010 to verify location of equipment, its use and working condition. Mucko indicated the most significant hurdle to getting Customs officers to use the equipment is not fear of breaking it or not knowing how to use it but rather changing their habits and having them incorporate use of the equipment into their routine. MA witnessed this during visit to the Port of Durres container yard on December 11. Mucko also mentioned that his officers' mindset is still focused on revenue rather than security. Mucko also reported that Customs is currently finishing the installation of three additional radiation portal monitors at Morina, Kakavija and Vlore. The portal monitor currently at Kakavija will be sent to Hani Hoti. Installation should be complete by the end of 2009. Customs plans to buy an additional radiation portal monitor, suitable for use at a railway border crossing, for use at TIRANA 00000033 002 OF 003 the Bajza border crossing point. --December 16: MA met with the Navy Chief of the IMOC, Captain Petrit Baduni and LT Elvis Cenko during a training event for IMOC agency participants. This was the second day of the training where the newly appointed representatives to the IMOC from Border Police and Customs Anti-Contraband were introduced to nautical charts and the radar system. Representatives from the Fisheries Department to be appointed to the IMOC will be identified in the near future. Additional training events as well as on-the-job training are planned. Training regarding the communication system and standard operating procedures was also taking place at Border Police headquarters in Tirana. Captain Baduni expressed the importance of all agencies procuring the same type of communication equipment so that the entire IMOC system can be standardized. Communications in the maritime sector to date have largely been through personal cell phones. --December 18: MA met with the Navy IMOC Chief, Captain Petrit Baduni, to further discuss training needs. Baduni expressed the need for boarding officer courses and patrol planning courses, stating that the other IMOC agencies are lacking in maritime-specific training. MA discussed the need for GOA agencies to develop their own capacity to train their officers in fundamental maritime skills such as navigation, boat handling and boarding officer courses and this could be done through train-the-trainer courses. This would require a commitment from GOA agencies to ensure that personnel trained as trainers remained in positions to conduct training for a certain period of time. Baduni supported this plan and MA will discuss further with the Navy CNO, Admiral Cela. Baduni also informed MA that a decision to return the Naval School to the Navy CNO's control was awaiting the President's signature. The Naval School has been under the control of the MOD's TRADOC, which has hampered the process for getting students to courses as well as limited the number of courses available at the Naval School. ¶4. (U) TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD --December 3-4: EXBS funded the delivery of an Investigating and Prosecuting Export Control Violations Course by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Participants from Customs, Border Police, Prosecutor General's Office, State Export Control Agency and the State Intelligence Service participated in the course. ¶5. (U) EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD --December 14: Computer equipment totaling $103,802.00 was delivered to the State Export Control Agency. This equipment will allow for the installation and establishment of the TRACKER automated licensing system for Albania. --December 15: A shipment of maritime personal protective equipment ordered by MA through RPSO was received in Tirana. The shipment is comprised of 30 Mustang Survival Bomber Jackets, 12 Mustang Anti-Exposure Coveralls, 29 Inflatable Personal Flotation Devices with Auto Hydrostatic Activation and 30 Hydrostatic Re-Arm Inflation Kits. The value of the equipment is $16,080.00 and will be distributed to Border Police Maritime Units. ¶6. (SBU) IMMINENT TRAINING OR EQUIPMENT STATUS REPORT: --January 26-29: EXBS is funding System Administrator Training on the TRACKER licensing system for the State Export Control Agency. This training will be provided by Commonwealth Trading Partners. !@Q`Qqrx 10-12: EXBS is funding a BaGiOhQhBertoms Enforcement (ICE). Q`% #g4r2e whdl hnblude participants from Albania, gsgvg and Macedmnia. --February: EXBS is funding a Containerast Guard to Customs officials at the Port of TIRANA 00000033 003 OF 003 Durres. ¶7. (SBU) SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN EXPORT CONTROLS, NONPROLIFERATION, OR RELATED BORDER SECURITY --December 13: GOA has decided to extend the moratorium on recreational boating in Albanian waters for three more years. The moratorium only applies to Albanians operating pleasure craft in Albanian territorial waters. Foreigners are exempt from the moratorium. The reason given for extending the moratorium is that it has significantly aided in the fight against human trafficking. This decision will become law once Parliament votes on it in January ¶2010. ¶8. (U) PORTAL MONITOR ALERTS -- None. ¶9. (U) RED FLAG ISSUES -- None. ¶10. (U) POC: LT Cari Bower, email: bowerc@state.gov.