Cablegate: Ctag Meeting in Maputo

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MAPUTO 000204

SIPDIS
STATE FOR S/CT, INL/AAE, AF/S, AF/RSA
ADDIS FOR GALINDO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER ASEC KCRM SENV PREL MZ
SUBJECT: CTAG MEETING IN MAPUTO

REF: STATE 14279

1. Summary: On February 5, DCM hosted our first CTAG
meeting (per reftel request) with counterparts from Spain,
Portugal, Russia, France, Italy, Switzerland, UK, Germany,
European Commission, and Ireland (representing EU troika).
Participants concurred that improved maritime security for
Mozambique's vulnerable coastline was a top priority and
agreed to coordinate efforts of the USG, France, Portugal,
and the EC to provide coastal patrol capacity. Other areas
of mutual concern discussed include financial oversight,
trafficking of drugs and people, money laundering, and
corruption. End summary.

2. USG assistance: The GRM has acceded to all twelve UN
Counter-Terrorism conventions. The USG has offered to
assist the Mozambican MFA in preparations for hosting a 2004
National Counter-Terrorism Conference in Maputo on
implementation of UN Counter-Terrorism conventions. Post
sent Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of Mozambique
officials to USG training provided at ILEA Botswana. Post
provides updated terrorist assets control lists to
appropriate GRM officials.

3. USG assistance (continued): Post provided computer
equipment to airport authorities for lookout database.
Officials from Customs, Police, Ministry of interior,
Immigration, and Finance Ministry attended Counter-terrorism
seminar in Gaborone, Botswana. USG provided FBI training
for prosecutors at Mozambique's Judicial Training Center
including anti-money laundering components. OPDAT
intermittent advisor to Mozambican Police Academy has spent
six months in Maputo for curriculum development and
specialized course coordination (including visits by ten USG-
funded trainers). DOD conducted Maputo airport survey. USG
provided counter-terrorism training to SISE (GRM security
service). DOD Maritime Officers Course provided to
Mozambican Navy and international law course for MFA, MOD,
Interior and Justice Ministries, both with goal of
establishing maritime patrol capacity (provision of EDA
patrol craft and IMET crew training).

4. USG (continued): Post will seek equipment requested by
Mozambican customs for container inspection in ports of
Maputo, Beira, and Nacala. Post has requested DHS fraud
prevention training for immigration and airline officials in
Maputo and Ressano Garcia (land border post with South
Africa).

5. None of the CTAG participants indicated direct programs;
however, nearly all indicated programs to build government
capacity in areas directly related to CT capabilities.
6. United Kingdom: The British High Commission has
provided training in bank auditing and financial systems and
currently is conducting a large project with Mozambican
Customs, implemented by Crown Agents. Technical support is
scheduled to last to 2005. While British concerns
regarding counter-terrorism focus on Kenya, Tanzania, and
South Africa, the BHC has made the case to London that
Mozambique is an important part of the jigsaw.

7. France: The French DCM stated that they see the coast
as the key and are addressing this specific vulnerability.
They have argued to Paris for increasing naval capacity hpe
to provide one or two small patrol boats to the GRM in 2004,
the target date of 2003 not having been met. They plan
future joint naval exercises and had two GRM Navy personnel
on their frigate during a January 2004 port visit to Maputo.
In 2001, France also provided support to the Mozambican
police lab.

8. European Commission: The EC provided some customs
training to the GRM, but has focused on assisting GRM public
sector reform, judicial reform, and increased budget
accountability. They provide direct financial support to
the Ministry of fisheries for monitoring the coastline
(including funding surveillance flight hours). Approximately
two million euros are provided annually for assistance
related to fisheries. Included in the program is technical
support for development of a maritime code.

9. Portugal: Portugal is the driving force behind CPLP
joint military exercises, with an emphasis in training for
PKOs and staff command and control. They provide support to
the GRM Military Academy in Nampula and are also assisting
with development of the maritime code. Portuguese law
instructors are rotated at the Police Academy to provide a
constant presence of two during the academic year.

10. Italy: Italy has supported the police anti-drug unit
with vehicles, equipment, and training, and has funded a
UNODC regional program to combat transnational drug
trafficking. Funding for both projects ended in 2003.

11. Russia: Stressed the need to focus on the police,
immigration, and borders. Their embassy security officer
called Mozambique a paradise for terrorists and stated that
SISE is not sufficiently organized to address the problem.
No watchlist database exists and Interior and Foreign
ministries have no plan to create one. Russia has invited
the Interior minister to Moscow, but he keeps postponing the
trip (Note: Minister Manhenje is fluent in Russian and
trained as a MIG pilot. End Note.) Mozambican have received
some training from Spetznaz. Russia's doors are open for
further cooperation with Interior, MFA, and SISE, but it
seems that they are frustrated with the GRM's lukewarm
interest.

12. Comment: The clear message from meeting was the need to
coordinate our efforts to get the GRM to adopt a model
maritime code and prepare themselves to utilize coastal
patrol boats. All participants agreed that weak land
borders, ineffective and corrupt police and judicial
officials, absent coastal patrol capacity, and poor
coordination between GRM entities all contribute to an
environment conducive to organized crime and terrorists.
Post and many other donors (including the Nordics, who were
not invited to the meeting) are focused on corruption and
transparency issues, especially considering their linkage to
transnational crime, alien smuggling, money laundering, and
possible terrorist financing. The EC and others also
express concern regarding weak security in ports and along
the coast contributing to illegal fishing and export of
precious hardwood timbers, both with severe environmental
repercussions.
LA LIME

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