C O N F I D E N T I A L TALLINN 001000
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EB/ESC/TFS, S/CT (PATTY HILL), INL/C/CP (STEVEN
PETERSON), AND IO/PSC (JOHN SANDAGE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2012
TAGS: EFIN, ETTC, KTFN, KVPR, PREL, PTER
SUBJECT: TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATION OFFICER
REF: SECSTATE 181096
Classified By: A/DCM ERIC JOHNSON FOR REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D)
1. (U) Contact information for Embassy Tallinn TFCO:
Jessica Adkins, Political/Economic Section Chief; Phone:
372 668-8230; Unclassified E-Mail: AdkinsJL@state.gov;
Classified E-Mail: AdkinsJL@state.sgov.gov.
2. (U) Contact information for Embassy Tallinn Deputy TFCO:
Rebecca Raman, Political/Economic Officer; Phone: 372
668-8237; Unclassified E-Mail: RamanRC@state.gov; Classified
E-Mail: RamanRC@state.sgov.gov.
3. (C) To date, Estonia has not reported any suspected or
confirmed cases of terrorist financing. However, we feel
that regional coordinating meetings could be useful in
helping to identify potential cases. We also feel that
Estonian officials could benefit from additional training on
terrorist financing related topics.
4. (C) Estonia is not included on the CIA chart identified
in reftel. Estonia's Money Laundering and Terrorism
Financing Prevention Act (MLTFPA) allows the Financial
Intelligence Unit (FIU) to freeze suspicious financial
transactions for two working days. If the account holder is
unable to prove the legal origin of the money in question,
the FIU may seize the funds for up to 10 working days while
it seeks a court judgment. The judicial system has the
ability to seize the assets of suspected terrorists
indefinitely. Estonia is a party to the UN International
Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism.
Estonia implements UNSCRs 1267, 1373, 1390, and 1455.
Estonia has adopted anti-money laundering legislation,
established a FIU, is a member of Egmont, and is also a
member of the regional Council of Europe select Committee of
Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures.
Estonia has frozen money laundering-linked assets and has the
ability to freeze terrorist-linked assets under its money
laundering legislation; however, Estonia has never found
cause to freeze any terrorist-linked assets. Nevertheless,
Estonia regularly conducts searches of its financial
institutions for terrorist assets. Estonia regularly
participates in the timely sharing of terror finance
information, but has never had any independent information to
contribute. Finally, Estonia regularly participates in
outreach to United States intelligence and law enforcement
agencies.
WOS