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
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.