VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSI #0043/01 0121338
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 121338Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY TBILISI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2695
RUEAORC/US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RULSJGA/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//DCO-I//
RUEANFA/NRC WASHINGTON DC
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS TBILISI 000043 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR ISN/ECC - ACHURCH, EMCPHERSON AND LSPRINGER 
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE - DFROMAN AND MSTEWART 
CBP/INA FOR ESEYMOUR-REDD AND NSIMPSON 
USDOE/NNSA FOR TPERRY, EDESCHLER, AND RTALLEY 
COAST GUARD FOR SATAMAN, SHABTEMICHAEL, AND JCAIRL 
NRC FOR JRAMSEY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP GG
SUBJECT: EXBS: GEORGIA MONTHLY REPORT DECEMBER 2009 
 
¶I.  BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY 
MANAGERS: 
 
¶1. The EXBS Advisor (EA) is in the U.S. for consultation and leave 
from December 14th through January 22nd. 
 
¶2. Information regarding nominations for the U.S. Coast Guard 
Academy class of 2014 was provided to the Public Affairs Office, 
Office of Defense Cooperation and the Georgian Coast Guard (GCG). 
 
¶3. Announcement has been made for the new EXBS LES position. 
Interviews will be scheduled at the end of January; however, the 
hiring process cannot be completed while still under a continuing 
resolution. 
 
  II. COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD. 
 
¶A. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS DURING REPORTING PERIOD 
 
03 Dec: Th EXBS Advisor (EA), Maritime Advisor (MA) and the Program 
Coordinator (PC) met with the Head of Border Police Major General 
(MG) Gogava. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss upcoming EXBS 
funded projects and to make sure that the General supports the 
projects that had been discussed with the former Head of Resources. 
The projects include restoration of the GCG vessel repair facility, 
closed circuit television perimeter security system, dredging of 
Poti harbor, arrival of 1,135 sets of officer duty belts and 
equipment as well as 109 thermal imaging cameras. General Gogava 
mentioned that the dismissal of the Head of Resources, Commander 
Bibileishvili, who was the main point of contact for EXBS 
initiatives, will not affect the projects and that he intends to 
proceed with all planned initiatives. 
 
Additionally, MG Gogava emphasized that his intention is to utilize 
training opportunities offered at the Batumi Maritime Academy as a 
long term initiative. The GCG plans to use the Maritime Academy for 
recruitment. Current plans include offering a special curriculum 
designed for fourth year cadets interested in entering GCG service 
following graduation. 
 
The possibility of transferring USG donated equipment from the 
Border Police to the Patrol Police was discussed. A total of 61 
personal pagers and 5 TSA/PRMs are currently stored at the Border 
Police warehouse. MG Gogava indicated his support for the proposed 
transfer since the main ports of entry fall under Patrol Police 
jurisdiction and such equipment would be more useful at the main 
ports of entry. 
 
 
MA discussed concerns regarding the poor hull condition of the 
U.S.-donated 82 foot patrol boats and indicated that extensive, 
costly hull repairs were likely necessary. Additionally, due to the 
extent of necessary repairs, MA expressed concern related to the 
ability to find suitable contractors in Georgia and whether or not 
he would be opposed to going outside Georgia for repairs (e.g., 
Turkey). MG Gogava was not opposed to sending GCG boats outside of 
Georgia for repair work. 
 
Regarding additional sector buildings for the green borders, MG 
Gogava mentioned that previous USG built sector buildings were 
larger than necessary and proposed that future sector building plans 
be modified to include smaller installations. 
 
10-11 Dec: The EA and PC attended the latest in a series of seminars 
Qfocused on international cooperation in the development of Georgian 
export control legislation. This seminar, held in Warsaw, Poland, 
was hosted by the Polish Ministry of Economy and organized by EU 
member states Poland and Germany. Other participating countries 
included: Austria, Slovenia, and Sweden. The Georgian delegation 
consisted of department heads from the Ministries of: Economic 
Development, Finance, Defense, and Foreign Affairs, as well as the 
Security Council. 
 
The[jdf1] primary purpose of the seminar was to introduce the EU 
sponsored draft legislation to the legislative and executive 
branches of the Georgian Government. Unfortunately, while several 
ministerial level representatives were present, no representatives 
from the Georgian Legal Committee of Parliament or the President's 
Administration attended the seminar. 
 
The EA and Mr. Knapp discussed the possibility of organizing a joint 
half-day seminar in Tbilisi. The seminar would specifically target a 
maximum of (20) Georgian government officials at decision-making 
levels, and would stress the importance of export controls to 
Georgia as well as encourage rapid passage of relevant legislation. 
Without high-level political support, passage of the law is 
projected to take as much as a year. The seminar would have to be 
held before March in advance of the introduction of the draft law to 
Parliament. 
The Warsaw agenda included overviews of the present export control 
system in Georgia, the draft legislation, and the structure of EU 
export control systems. Final changes to the Georgian export control 
draft law were discussed and completed. 
 
The EA and PC presented an update of on-going EXBS activities in 
Georgia including Tracker implementation, industry outreach plans 
and the national strategy for commodity identification training. 
 
Future cooperation between EXBS and EU donor nations was discussed. 
EU partners expressed a strong interest in participating in the 
upcoming industry outreach seminars as presenters, and Mr. Knapp 
extended an invitation for EXBS to attend the EU sponsored 2010 
Export Control conference. 
 
18 Dec: MA attended briefing with Ambassador Bass, the Deputy Chief 
of Mission, the Defense Attach, and the Office of Defense 
Cooperation Chief. Purpose of the briefing was to discuss specific 
items related to the GCG. MA provided a background on the GCG and 
information related to current GCG operational capabilities. 
 
29 Dec: MA accompanied Defense Attach during a meeting with Head of 
Border Police, MG Gogava and Director of Coast Guard Department, 
Captain Shengelia. Purpose of meeting was to discuss GCG's current 
operations related to Abkhazia along with the GCG's rules of 
engagement/use of force policy. MG Gogava indicated that merchant 
vessels, as well as fishing vessels, continue to violate Georgian 
law by entering and exiting Abkhazian ports without first obtaining 
permission from the Georgian Government. Rather than attempt to 
boad and/or intercept these vessels, current GCG practice is to 
report such violations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 
 
Regarding rules of engagement/use of force, a Presidential 
Decree exists, signed February 2008, which defines regulations 
on the use of weapon systems by Georgian Coast Guard vessels 
(cutters) against vessels violating either the Georgian or 
international law. MG Gogava also stated that GCG patrol boat 
commanders have been directed to avoid any potential 
confrontation, particularly with any Russian/Abkhaz patrol 
boats. 
 
¶B. TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING REPORTING PERIOD: 
 
None 
 
¶C. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD: 
 
None 
 
  ¶D. IMMINENT TRAINING OR EQUIPMENT STATUS UPDATE: 
 
  --UPCOMING TRAINING: 
 
1) February 2010: 
 
Tracker system administration training and installation of 
equipment. 
 
The arrival of the computer equipment is expected within 4 to 6 
weeks, followed by installation and systems administration 
training 
weeks, followed by installation and systems 
administration training. 
 
 
2) Date TBD: 
 
Controlled Delivery Training 
 
Training will be conducted by ICE and will include participants 
from 
 
the MOIA Special Operations Center, Special Operations Department, 
and Anti-terrorist unit. A selection of covert surveillance 
equipment will be provided as part of the course. 
 
3) March 2010 
 
USCG International Maritime Officer Course 
 
(1) GCG officer will attend the International Maritime Officer's 
Course (IMOC) at Yorktown, VA, from 15 April - 25 May. 
USCG Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE) Boarding Officer course / 
Prospective Commanding Officer course / on-the-job training (OJT) 
 
(2) GCG Officers will attend the above sequence of training from 31 
March - 4 June. 
 
4) April 2010 
 
University of Georgia / Export Control Academy 
 
(2) Representatives from the Revenue Service and the Ministry of 
Defense will attend a two week training course. 
 
MLE Instructor course 
 
A USCG Mobile Training Team (MTT) will conduct this training in 
Georgia from 15 April - 24 April for a maximum of 12 students. 
 
MLE Joint Boarding Officer Course 
 
A USCG MTT will conduct this training in Georgia from 25 April - 8 
May for a maximum of 24 students. 
 
5) May 2010 
 
 
USCG Machinery Technician "A" School, Yorktown, VA / OJT 
 
(2) GCG personnel will attend this training sequence from 12 May - 
13 August. 
 
USCG Electricians Mate "A" School, Yorktown, VA / OJT 
 
(2) GCG personnel will attend this training sequence from 17 May - 8 
October. 
 
6) Spring 2010: 
 
Industry Outreach Seminar 
 
Seminar will be organized by the Department of Energy, NNSA/INECP. 
Participants will include 25-30 representatives from local 
industries. Revenue service provided full list of industries 
participating in Export Control activities. The list includes 63 
companies. The representatives from the major industries will be 
invited to the seminar. 
 
7) Commodity Identification Trainings (CIT): 
 
EXBS in cooperation with NNSA/INECP is planning a series of CITs 
throughout 2010. Letters with questionnaire have been sent to the 
relevant agencies as a follow up to the meeting held on Nov 4, 2009. 
Answers to the questions will be used to determine the frequency, 
timeframe and location of the regional trainings. The ultimate goal 
is to establish the national strategy for CIT in Georgia. 
 
  --EQUIPMENT STATUS: 
 
  PENDING PROCUREMENT OR DISTRIBUTION: 
 
  (1,135)Utility Belts and Equipment - BP (NSOI)         $286,916 
  Spare Parts, Equipment - GCG                 $100,000 
  (5)Radioactive Source Containers - NRSS (GTRI, EXBS)         TBD 
  (109) Thermal Imaging Cameras - BP (NSOI, EXBS)        TBD 
  ¶E.  SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN EXPORT CONTROLS, 
   NON-PROLIFERATION OR RELATED BORDER SECURITY: 
 
Georgian export control legislation will be introduced to the 
 
Parliament in March when the Parliament opens for the spring 
session. The draft has to go to the relevant Ministries for their 
input before forwarding it to the Parliamentary Committees. The 
draft law will be reviewed at the Committee hearing after which it 
will be passed on to the plenary session. The Parliament considers 
the draft law in three hearings after which the President signs it. 
 
 
 
  III. RED FLAG ISSUES: 
Nuclear Radiation Safety Service (NRSS) is facing downsizing due to 
a limited budget. NRSS staff consists of 16 persons, six of whom are 
contractors. According to the head of NRSS he contracts will most 
likely not be extended. Cutting down the staff will significantly 
reduce the ability of NRSS to control the flow radioactive materials 
and respond to the incidents. 
 
The process for establishing the Western office is being delayed. 
The agreement has to be signed between the Ministry of Environment 
and Natural Resources and the property owner on transferring the 
property to the Ministry for the use. The property is owned by the 
subcontractor of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 
 
POC for this report is Charles Hiscock, EXBS Program Advisor. 
Telephone +995 32 277312. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[jdf1]This doesn't make sense to me.  the purpose of the seminar was 
to provide draft legislation to the Georgians? Why were all those 
countries there.  and you say that the Govt wasn't represented but 
you just wrote in the para above that many dept heads were present. 
Please clarify. 
 
 
 
 
 
LOGSDON