Cablegate: 2007 Counterterrorism Report - Poland

VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHWR #2409 3651019
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 311019Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY WARSAW
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5676

UNCLAS WARSAW 002409

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER ASEC EFIN KCRM KHLS AEMR PL
SUBJECT: 2007 COUNTERTERRORISM REPORT - POLAND

REF: SECSTATE 145633

1. SUMMARY: There have been no reported terrorist groups or
incidents in Poland. Despite this, Poland addresses
counterterrorism issues domestically and internationally and
is a firm partner of the United States in this sphere.
Overseas, Poland provides about 1200 troops to the
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan
while leading the multinational Division Center South
(MND-CS) in Iraq with 900 troops. Domestically, Poland is
monitoring groups, especially with ties to organized crime,
for links to terrorism. END SUMMARY.

2. Poland supports antiterrorist efforts with vigorous
participation in foreign missions. About 1200 Polish troops
now serve ISAF in Afghanistan without caveats. In Iraq,
Poland commands the MND-CS, headquartered in Ad Diwaniyah,
and provides 900 troops engaged in active patrolling as well
as training and advising Iraq's 8th Division.

3. Through participation in initiatives such as the
Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) and the Global
Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, Poland is actively
engaged in many international forums for combating terrorist
threats. In October 2007, Poland worked with Ukraine and
Romania to conduct "Eastern Shield," an exercise to simulate
the interdiction of materials used to construct Weapons of
Mass Destruction (WMD) and funded by the U.S.
nonproliferation and disarmament fund (NDF). Poland's 21
December integration into the Schengen zone also serves as
another strong argument for close collaboration with European
neighbors on counterterrorism -- a collaboration that the
Poles describe as robust. Poland also hosted a meeting of
GUAM member states, European partners and the U.S. this fall
to discuss counterterrorism issues that affect this region.

4. The bilateral Counterterrorism Working Group (CTWG),
formed in 2005 to further U.S.-Polish collaboration on
counterterrorism by synchronizing counterterrorism policy and
training counterterrorism specialists, has continued its
collaboration. In 2007, under the Combating Terrorism
Fellowship Program (CTFP), Embassy Warsaw provided Poland
with $430,000 for special operations officer training,
regional seminars and terrorism focused programs.
Additionally, the Warsaw Legatt,s office conducted a hostage
taking tabletop exercise with local law enforcement,
improving collaboration on threat management.

5. With Poland's inclusion into Schengen, the GOP is aware
that the largest base for terrorist threats could emanate not
only from the east in traditional areas, such as the migrant
Chechen population, but might also stem from western
neighbors who have previously had problems with radical
Islamic groups. Polish authorities continue to be concerned
by elements of the Muslim Chechen population who could more
easily become radicalized. Groups with ties to organized
crime constitute a significant concern due to their
experience with and access to fake documentation, weapons and
money laundering. The Polish government has extensive
experience working against organized crime groups, which they
can leverage in the fight against terrorism domestically.

HILLAS

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