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OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTI #0255/01 1131442
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O 231442Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY TIRANA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8063

UNCLAS TIRANA 000255 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR INL/RM/MS, EUR/SCE 
 
E.O. 12958:N/A 
TAGS: SNAR AFIN KCRM AL
SUBJECT:  Albania End Use Monitoring Report for CY 2008 
 
REF: 08 STATE 127211 
 
¶1.  The following is Albania's submission for the CY 2008 End Use 
Monitoring (EUM) report, which provides information on the 
disposition and use of all INL-funded program support provided under 
the International Narcotics Control and Law enforcement Programs. 
This report is submitted according to ref guidance and covers the 
period from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008.  POC for this 
year's report is Megan Roberts, robertsmj2@state.gov, and ICITAP 
Albania Program Manager Darrel Hart, darrel.hart@icitap.us. 
 
¶I.  PROCEDURES 
 
¶A. Inventory Management: Other U.S, Government Agency Assistance: 
ICTAP contract advisors are assigned to advise and mentor Albanian 
officials at the Ministry of Interior (MOI), the Albanian State 
Police (ASP) headquarters, the ASP Academy, the Ministry of Public 
Works Transport and Telecommunications (MOTT)'s Office of Maritime 
Security, and Albania's international seaports.  All ICITAP 
donations are accompanied by donation letters that specify the 
quantity, item description, model, serial number, cost, and intended 
purpose of materials being provided.  As ICITAP advisors maintain 
offices at ASP worksites, end-use monitoring of donations is 
conducted through daily on-site interactions.  In addition, 
scheduled and unscheduled inspections, and spot checks are 
conducted.  MOI, ASP, MOTT, and Port Authority officials have 
cooperated in these efforts and given ICITAP's current level of 
advisory presence in Albania, these procedures are generally 
effective. 
 
¶B. Host Government Agency Receipt of Resources: 
MOI IT Section has implemented a Virtual Asset Management Database 
for tracking IT system equipment.  The Albanian State Police are 
working with ICITAP/TIMS technicians on populating the database.  IT 
lab refurbishment assists in orderly storage and tracking of donated 
assets.  Existing paper-based inventory control is adequate but 
outmoded and vulnerable to fraud. 
 
¶C. On-site Inspections: 
The number of scheduled on-site inspections performed 
During calendar years 2004 through 2008, the ICITAP Albania Program 
either donated or facilitated the donation of equipment to the 
Albanian State Police.  Program advisors have monitored the use of 
this equipment, ensuring that it is being used by the entities 
intended and for the purpose specified.  Unscheduled spot checks of 
this equipment have been ongoing throughout 2008.  A scheduled 
inventory was taken for the purpose of this report in January 2009. 
 
 
¶D. Secondary Methods of Monitoring Resource Status: 
TIMS IT equipment provides a secondary method of near real-time 
monitoring via the network operations center.  Technicians can 
remotely assess the status and availability of most components 
electronically.  This centralized monitoring function also gives the 
ability to ensure donated assets are being used appropriately. 
 
II. STATUS-COMMODITIES - 2008 
 
1A. Type of Commodity and Project - Surveillance Equipment - Nokia 
Spy Phone and Night Vision Goggles. 
1B. Location - Organized Crime Directorate of ASP 
1C. Use & Condition - The OC Directorate maintains accountability 
for these items and continues to employ them during investigations 
of organized crime and narcotics trafficking cases. 
1D. Disposal of Commodities - N/A 
1E. Unmonitored Commodities - N/A 
 
2A. Type of Commodity and Project - Basic Law Enforcement Equipment 
for Port Security Forces including web belts, flashlights, 
megaphones, handcuffs, night vision equipment, metal detectors, 
inspection mirrors, and traffic control cones. 
2B. Location - Port Security Forces facilities in Durres, Vlora, 
Shengjin, and Saranda. 
2C. Use & Condition - Used daily in the conduct of Port Security 
Force operations and vehicle inspections.  Items are in good repair. 
 
2D. Disposal of Commodities - N/A 
2E. Unmonitored Commodities - N/A 
 
3A. Type of Commodity and Project - Body armor and protective plates 
for Port Security Force personnel 
3B. Location - Port Security Forces facilities in Shengjin, Saranda, 
and Vlora 
3C. Use & Condition - Items are in daily use and are in good 
condition. 
3D. Disposal of Commodities - N/A 
3E. Unmonitored Commodities - N/A 
 
4A. Type of Commodity and Project - Five-hundred meters co-axial 
cable for Port Security Forces 
4B. Location - Ports of Vlora and Shengjin 
4C. Use & Condition - Cables are installed in CCTV systems and are 
in daily use. 
4D. Disposal of Commodities - N/A 
4F. Unmonitored Commodities - N/A 
 
5A. Type of Commodity and Project - Redman Training Suit for Port 
Security Forces 
5B. Location - Port Security Forces facilities in Durres. 
5C. Use & Condition - Used during training events for defensive 
tactics training.  Item is in good repair. 
5D. Disposal of Commodities - N/A 
5E. Unmonitored Commodities - N/A 
 
6A. Type of Commodity and Project - Used Konika Copier/Printer and 
HP Laserjet Printer for the ASP Professional Standards Directorate. 
 
6B. Location - Professional Standards Directorate, ASP Headquarters 
 
6C. Use & Condition - Used daily in support of Directors office 
operations.  Items are in fair condition. 
6D. Disposal of Commodities - N/A 
6E. Unmonitored Commodities - N/A 
 
 
2004-2007 (monitored items) 
 
7A. Type of Commodity and Project -  ICITAP Police Academy & 
Training Program - 1 Scantron Model #ES2260, SN IDO5890 (automated 
test scoring machine) donated in 2006. 
7B. Location -  This item is currently being utilized on a regular 
basis by the Testing Section of the Education Support Sector of the 
ASP Police Academy. 
7C. Use & Condition - ICITAP staff has regular contacts with this 
section and have observed this equipment and testing data it 
produces throughout the reporting period.  Last unannounced 
inspection of this equipment was January 18, 2009.  This equipment 
is used at least twice a week by the section. 
7D. Disposal of Commodities - N/A 
7E. Unmonitored Commodities - N/A 
 
8A. Type of Commodity and Project - ICITAP Albania Organized Crime 
Program - 3 laptop computers and 12 digital cameras donation of 30 
March 2006. 
8B. Location - This equipment was donated to the ASP Criminal 
Intelligence Analysis Sector. 
8C. Use & Condition - These computers are excellently maintained 
within the CIAS HQ at ASP headquarters. The impact of these 
computers on the collection of undocumented intelligence and 
information has been enormous, allowing the CIAS personnel to visit 
the OC and Criminal Police facilities throughout Albania and 
document intelligence and police information previously stored 
informally within commissariats and directorates. 
8D. Disposal of Commodities - N/A 
8E. Unmonitored Commodities - N/A 
 
9A. Type of Commodity and Project - ICITAP Albania Organized Crime 
Program - Physical and Electronic Surveillance Equipment donation of 
24 June 2005. 
9B. Location - This equipment was donated to the Special Operation 
Sector. 
9C. Use & Condition - It is all being well maintained and stored in 
the OC Directorates HQ when not being used in the field. The 
equipment has been used in most of the narcotic and trafficking 
investigations in the past 2 1/2 years resulting in numerous arrests 
and the seizure of drugs and weapons. 
9D. Disposal of Commodities - The Spy Phone has been used and 
repaired on numerous occasions and is now beyond repair.  It should 
be removed from the ICITAP inventory. 
9E. Unmonitored Commodities - N/A 
 
10A. Type of Commodity and Project - ICITAP Albania Organized Crime 
Program - Investigative Support Equipment donated in 2004. 
10B. Location - This equipment was divided between five Organized 
Crime Task Force Units.  The equipment in Tirana, Fier, Vlora, 
Durres and Shkoder is all accounted for. 
10C. Use & Condition - The equipment is being stored within the 
Regional Prosecutors Office.  As these Task Forces have all but been 
dismantled, the equipment is presently going unused.  Negotiations 
are continuing to have this equipment transferred to the Judicial 
Police of the Districts. 
10D. Disposal of Commodities - N/A 
10E. Unmonitored Commodities - N/A 
 
III. STATUS INVENTORIES: Vehicles 
 
2008 
 
1A. Type of Commodity and Project - Mitsubishi Pajero VIN #: 
JMBONV460Y31001720 for IT Directorate of Ministry of Interior 
1B. Location - Ministry of Interior, Tirana 
1C. Use & Condition - Vehicle is used to transport IT technicians 
throughout Albania in support of installation and maintenance of 
ICITAP-procured computer and communications system operations. 
Vehicle is in average condition but heavily used in extreme driving 
conditions when outside of Tirana. 
1D. Disposal of Commodities -  N/A 
1E. Unmonitored Commodities -  N/A 
 
 
2004-2007 
 
2A. Type of Commodity and Project - ICITAP Albania Law Enforcement 
Development Program - 1 used Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (Green) donated 
on July 11, 2007. 
2B. Location - Equipment Donation to General Directorate of Albanian 
State Police, International Cooperation Department. 
2C. Use & Condition - 
2D. Disposal of Commodities - N/A 
2E. Unmonitored Commodities - N/A 
 
3A. Type of Commodity and Project - ICITAP Albania Organized Crime 
Program - 5 Mitsubishi Pinin Vehicles donation of 30 July 2004. 
3B. Location - All these vehicles were assigned to the 
Anti-Trafficking Sector of the OC Directorate. 
3C. Use & Condition - Four vehicles are in good working order and 
assigned to regional field duty, one at Anti-Trafficking HQ, one at 
Tirana Police, and one at Durres Police and another at Fier. 
3D. Disposal of Commodities - N/A 
3E. Unmonitored Commodities - N/A 
 
4A. Type of Commodity and Project - ICITAP Albania Organized Crime 
Program - 2 Yamaha Motorcycles donation of 14 Jan 2004. 
4B. Location - These two motorcycles were donated for undercover use 
by the Special Operations Sector, ASP OC Directorate. 
4C. Use & Condition - They are in good working order and well 
maintained.  They have impacted the program by allowing covert 
surveillance of several large scale drug operations resulting in the 
seizure of multi-kilo loads of heroin. 
4D. Dispos@QQmodities - N/A 
4E. UnmonQQ 
 
VI. SPECIAL SERVICES -  BY COMMODITY/SERVICE: 
 
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conduct criminal Q narcotics and 
traffickiQQ  `ce services to the populaQQQQQQQ    Equipment: 
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surveillance equipment Ancluding covert transmitters worn by 
undercover Agents and informants, vehicle tracking systems, viDeo 
and photographic enhancement equipment and training were provided by 
ICITAP in 2004-2007, with direct impact on increased drug seizures 
and related arrests.  Over this period, ICITAP advisor monitoring 
within the MOI indicates the successful use of donated equipment 
resulting in more proactive investigations and in drug seizures 
which have increased each successive year. 
 
¶B.  Computer Equipment: 
While implementation of the Total Information Management System 
(TIMS) was ongoing throughout 2008, a significant amount of computer 
and related technical equipment purchased by ICITAP is in daily 
operational use of intended end-users at the MOI, police 
directorates, commissariats, and border crossing point facilities. 
Due to technical and access necessities related to project 
implementation, official donation of all TIMS related equipment will 
be conducted once primary system components are fully established 
and in place.  In particular, the monitoring of all border crossings 
has been significantly enhanced, through implementation of TIMS at 
crossing points, with automatic cross referencing now established to 
passport data, Albanian criminal wanted lists and Interpol data. 
The system has also incorporated automated number plate recognition 
and closed-circuit television monitoring of border police 
activities. 
 
TIMS Criminal Records System and other modules assisted ASP criminal 
investigators in effectively conducting their investigative tasks. 
New modules such as E-Visa and vehicle/drivers license databases are 
providing additional information to ASP in order to increase their 
capabilities in combating organized crime, trafficking in persons 
and vehicles, and identifying organized crime and terrorist 
suspects. 
 
The INL-funded and ICITAP-provided TIMS Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol 
(VOIP) digital phone system has enhanced ASP communications 
throughout the law enforcement community at no cost.  VOIP has 
facilitated new management approached for ASP commanders ensuring 
communication at all major police deployment sites.  This system is 
now the primary communications method between ASP facilities 
country-wide and has reduced police telephone bills by 65 percent. 
 
¶C.  Port Security Equipment and Support: 
On August 20, 2007 the United States Coast Guard Inspection Team 
informed the Government of Albania that the country rates as 
"substantially compliant" under the International Shipping and Port 
Security code, a standard set by the United Nation's International 
Maritime Organization.  The assessment, which was conducted by 
United States Coast Guard officers, focused on regulatory, 
procedural, and physical security improvements at three of Albania's 
seaports.  Since 2001, the INL-funded ICITAP Program has assisted 
Albania in developing its international port security capacity to 
comply with International Shipping and Port Security requirements, 
including donation of four Automated Ship Identification Systems 
(AIS) in 2006. 
 
VI. PROBLEMS AND CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN (CAP) 
 
¶A. Unmonitored Resources, Repair and Maintenance of Commodities: 
A general concern exists regarding the capacity and out-year funds 
availability within the MOI to appropriately budget and implement 
eventual upgrades and maintenance of donated equipment items.  This 
has become a very large problem as reoccurring maintenance and 
training costs associated with the TIMS grow.  ICITAP has 
incrementally handed responsibility for maintaining discrete 
elements of TIMS to the ASP in order to assess their commitment and 
capability to sustain operations.  Results so far are not 
encouraging.  Shortcomings in the organizational and management 
capabilities of the ASP have resulted in failure to plan and budget 
for recurring contractual commitments.  These failures impacted TIMS 
satellite communications and database maintenance through lapses in 
service contracts.  A recent 10-day outage of the entire system was 
caused by these expired contracts.  ICITAP Albania continues to 
monitor the situation and press the ASP to redress these 
shortcomings. 
 
¶B. Lack of Use and Misuse of Commodities, Disposal of Commodities, 
Other Problems (as applicable): 
ICITAP advisors have encountered other problems with the 
installation and implementation of the TIMS project.  TIMS 
implementation continued throughout 2008 at additional sites 
increasing the number of connected locations and there is concern 
regarding the limited resources devoted to the project by the MOI. 
An unreliable power supply has affected TIMS operations nationwide 
resulting in the shutting down of a large number of sites on a 
regular basis to prevent damage to equipment and data. 
 
WITHERS 
 
 
 
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