VZCZCXRO2206
PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHPOD #0299/01 3571039
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 221039Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY PODGORICA
INFO RUEILB/NCTC WASHINGTON DC
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1055
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEHPOD/AMEMBASSY PODGORICA 1143 UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PODGORICA 000299 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR S/CT (RSHORE), NCTC,  AND EUR/SCE  (RHOUGE) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS:              
SUBJECT: MONTENEGRO: 2008 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM 
 
REF: STATE 120019 
 
PODGORICA 00000299  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
 1.  As requested in reftel, Post submission for the 2008 Country 
Reports on Terrorism follows.  POC for the terrorism report for 
Montenegro is Alexandra Bonura.  Tel number is (382) 20 410 - 
500 ext. 528 and e-mail is BonuraAD@state.gov 
 
 
 
 2. There were no terrorist attacks or terrorist-related 
incidents in Montenegro during 2008. Nevertheless, the 
Government of Montenegro recognizes terrorism as a potentially 
serious threat and strongly supports U.S. counterterrorism 
efforts. 
 
 
 
 3. In September 2006, in what is known as the "Eagle's Flight" 
case, 17 ethnic Albanians, four of whom are U.S. citizens, were 
arrested and charged with planning terrorist acts to incite an 
ethnic Albanian rebellion.  After a lengthy trial, in August 
2008, the Higher Court in Podgorica convicted the defendants of 
plotting to disturb the constitutional order and security of 
Montenegro.  Sentences ranged from three months to six years and 
six months in prison.  The defendants are currently appealing. 
 
 
 
 4. Montenegro has been generally politically stable since 
becoming independent of the former State Union with Serbia in 
2006 following a peaceful referendum.  The government has 
embarked on a process of reforms to position the country for 
future membership in NATO and the European Union.  The Ministry 
of Interior, through the Police Directorate and the Agency for 
National Security (ANB), is primarily responsible for 
counter-terrorism operations. In 2008, the Ministry of Interior 
began work on a National Counter-Terrorism Strategy, which will 
foster better counterterrorism cooperation among the different 
institutions. 
 
 
 
 5. Montenegrin legislation on terrorism has been harmonized with 
EU standards and UN conventions.  Criminal acts of terrorism are 
defined by Montenegrin Criminal Code Article 365 which states 
that, "anyone who, with the intention of endangering the 
constitutional order and security of Montenegro causes an 
explosion or fire or undertakes other dangerous measures or 
kidnaps a person, or commits another act of violence or 
threatens to undertake some dangerous action or to use nuclear, 
chemical, biological or other dangerous substance and whereby 
may cause fear or feeling of insecurity of citizens shall be 
punished by imprisonment for a term of three to fifteen years." 
 
 
 
 6. In 2007, the Parliament of Montenegro passed the Law on the 
Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, and 
during the same year the GoM's Agency for the Prevention of 
Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (also known as the 
Financial Intelligence Unit, or FIU) accepted the Financial 
Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) Special 
Recommendations on Terrorist Financing.  The FIU also publishes 
an international list of terrorists and terrorist organizations 
established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1483. 
 
 
 
 7. Montenegro is a signatory to a number of international and UN 
conventions and protocols against terrorism.  In 2008, 
Montenegro also ratified the Council of Europe's Convention on 
the Prevention of Terrorism, and Convention on the Laundering, 
Search, Seizure, and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and 
on the Financing of Terrorism.  In addition, Montenegro has 
signed bilateral agreements and memoranda on police cooperation 
in counterterrorism with almost all regional countries including 
Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Albania, 
as well as with Belgium, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, and Austria. 
 
 
 
 
 8. In 2008, the GoM completed the destruction of 1,500 of 
approximately 1,700 Man-Portable Air Defense Systems, a USG 
priority.  Montenegro also has been supportive of international 
efforts to support the government of Afghanistan.  In 2007, the 
GoM donated approximately one million dollars in small arms and 
ammunition to the government of Afghanistan, and in December 
2008, the Parliament of Montenegro authorized the deployment of 
a Montenegrin military medical team to the International 
 
PODGORICA 00000299  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
Security Assistance Force (ISAF). 
 
 
 
 9. Montenegro is not a known safe haven for terrorists. 
Nevertheless, the Montenegrin authorities are focused on 
potential threats stemming from Islamic extremists in 
neighboring countries (Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina) 
and the activities of very small groups of local Muslims 
identified by many Montenegrins as "wahhabis." 
 
 
 
 10. Montenegrin police forces, including the "Special 
Anti-Terrorism Unit," have received international and U.S. 
training and equipment.   For example, the Department of Justice 
ICITAP program conducted a regional international terrorism 
workshop in 2008 and provided training for the police organized 
crime unit (also responsible for conducting terrorism 
investigations).   However, despite significant training and 
equipment from outside donors, Montenegrin law enforcement and 
security agencies require additional assistance to attain 
international standards. 
MOORE