BRATISLAVA, May 18, (WEBNOVINY) — The level of terrorist threat may be assessed on a special scale in the future. The new National Action Plan for the Fight Against Terrorism for 2011-2014 also projects implementation of such mechanism. The terrorist threat scale is a common practice effective in several European countries, the U.S. and Canada as well as international organizations like NATO or European Union. The material, tailored by the Interior Ministry, which the Cabinet passed on Wednesday, assumed implementation of a mechanism for the assessment of the terrorist threat scale at the national level and its implementation in December 2012. By the end of this year, the need and possibility for the establishment of a post of national coordinator to fight terrorism in Slovakia should be assessed. Based on the proposal, the Slovak intelligence service the SIS should set up an antiterrorist center with a nationwide force in its structures sometime before December 2012.
The proposed measures also comprise strengthening the efforts to eliminate illegal trade with military materials, analysis of the ecclesiastical scene in Slovakia, establishment of effective regulations for freezing financial sources and assets of terrorists, assessment of effectiveness of enforcement of criminal responsibility of legal entities and securing or presence of at least one bomb disposal expert at workplaces of the Criminal and Expertise Institute outside working hours. The competent authorities are also planning to monitor educational establishments in connection with extremist ideologies.
Slovakia should still “very probably” not be one of the primary targets of terrorist attacks. However, the National Action Plan for the Fight Against Terrorism for 2011-2014 states that “several signs of the increase in the risk of a terrorist threat in Slovakia and its interests abroad connected mainly with the development in the security situation in Afghanistan, Iraq and publicly presented challenges of terrorist leaders for extension of the worldwide jihad as well as Slovakia’s active participation in international organizations, foreign antiterrorist activities and operations.”
No terrorists should be found in Slovakia, according to the material, but there is the risk that they use the country for transit, material-technical support or as a base after committing a criminal terrorist act. The competent authorities have not registered any direct activity of terrorist groups in Slovakia, neither individuals nor groups, which would be preparing a terrorist attack. “The security environment in Slovakia is relatively stabilized and calm, with no immediate risks or threats,” states the material.
Although Slovakia has not been a target for terrorist attacks, yet, the risk it may become one in the near future is still high. The reason for the possible threat is not only the country’s membership in OECD, Schengen Area or the EU, but as every western European country or other country engaged outside its borders in alliance with the U.S. is vulnerable.
SITA
