activity report_2010.pdf

ism Working Group (TWP/TWG) of the EU Council;  supporting the interests of the Romanian state in European affairs SRI: - supported national representation at the EU Council working groups that approached security-related issues, COREPER II, the Justice and Home Affairs; - participated in inter-agency meetings or national workshops on topics relevant to the Service's responsibilities in relation to the EU; - submitted views to various projects/ initiatives of the EU Council, European Commission/ member states or answers to requests made by national institutions dealing with European affairs;  fulfilling its terrorism-related responsibilities in relation with EUROPOL. Concretely, the Service: - answered to information requests from Europol National Unit on issues related to terrorism or other extremist actions; - contributed, at the level of EUROPOL, to the elaboration of documents assessing the threats of terrorism and transnational organized crime; - actively participated in projects launched by this organization. SRI also participated actively in other multilateral cooperation formats on information security, such as:  Counter-Terrorism Group (CTG), SRI also exploiting in 2010 this format to increase its action capabilities in managing counter-terrorism issues through involvement in several projects of direct interest for the Service;  Middle European Conference (MEC), a document on economic crisis effects being integrated (by SRI and SIE, as co-presidents) last year;  South East Europe Information Services Conference (SEEIC), the exchange of expertise and good practices continued among intelligence services in the region;  Southeastern Europe Defense Ministerial Reunion (SEDM), the Service participating in several projects and meetings on issues relevant to the security threat management;  International Open Source Working Group (IOSWG), the Service representatives participating in the exchange of experience, workshops and meetings held during the analyzed period. III.2.2. Bilateral Cooperation SRI further developed cooperation with its strategic partners and strengthened relations with services from neighboring countries, in areas of strategic interest or regions of risk for national security. In 2010, several meetings were held both at management and expert level, and exchange of information increased considerably in quantity and quality (by 20% as compared to 2009). The main cooperation areas are: preventing and countering terrorism, countering cross-border threats, counterespionage and economic security. Also:  analytical exchanges on issues of common interest became an important element of external cooperation activities, supporting the launching or deepening of relations with partner services in different geographical areas;  cooperation with partner organizations and services in achieving security checks for granting access to EU, NATO or national classified information was tightened;  professional training and development opportunities were harnessed within programs/ courses with foreign partners. 10 CHAPTER IV COORDINATION AND OVERSIGHT OF ROMANIAN INTELLIGENCE SERVICE'S ACTIVITY IV.1. Strategic Coordination of Activity by the Supreme Council of National Defense As strategic coordinator of national security activities, the Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT) submitted to SRI, in 2010, a total of 25 resolutions whose implementation were Service's direct responsibility. The above-mentioned resolutions refer to:  preventing and curbing tax evasion, SRI being appointed to participate in an inter-institutional working group, alongside the other state administration institutions with responsibilities in this field;  stage of Romania's accession to the Schengen area, having as a goal tightening relevant authorities' measures to strengthen supervision and control of the state border;  approving the methodology on organizing and executing counterterrorism interventions;  amending and supplementing the Regulation on organizing and functioning of the Antiterrorist Operational Coordination Center, steps designed to help streamline the Service - as national authority in the field of preventing and countering terrorism -cooperation with EU structures and states on curbing this phenomenon. Responding to the obligation to participate - together with the other institutions of the national security system - in substantiating a strategic decision, SRI sent CSAT, under the 2010 action plan, 15 documents containing elements of analysis/ stance on topics/ issues in the Council's attention. Out of these, six documents were discussed at CSAT meetings conducted last year, being approved through Council Decisions. The main issues approached were:  border security vulnerabilities exploited by transnational organized crime structures, with a negative impact on Romania's Schengen accession process (in cooperation with MAI);  serious consequences over sustainability of public budgets by increasing financial crimes;  use of ghost companies by transnational organized crime rings - risk factor with a major impact on national security (in collaboration with MAI);  findings and conclusions resulting from the SRI's 2009 activity for the protection of classified information in its fields of competence. On the other hand, in addition to CSAT program for 2010, SRI submitted to the Council four documents on national security. At the same time, SRI contributed - by delivering documents, approving or direct participation of Service experts - to documents (including strategies) integrated and presented to CSAT by other institutions, a procedure meant to jointly capitalize on knowledge and expertise. IV.2. Democratic Oversight IV.2.1. Parliamentary Oversight In order to exercise parliamentary oversight over Service's activity, briefings on SRI activity were submitted. Concretely, 72 documents (assessments, reports, briefings) were made available to the Standing Committee of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies for Parliamentary Oversight of the SRI Activity, out of which 52 responses to requests. In this regard, the following documents can be mentioned:  on SRI's transformation and modernization process;  on risks and threats to the security of Romania and Euro-Atlantic area;  on SRI's proposals on military higher education. The briefings were regularly presented to the Committee in order to have a clear understanding of issues covered by SRI, of concrete activities as well as of the use of allocated funds. In 2010, the information activity intensified through visits to Service's central and territorial units, the direct talks with SRI representatives offering to the Committee members the possibility of checking the accuracy and effectiveness of Service's activity. IV.2.2. Legal Oversight SRI's national security missions strongly observed the legal provisions at national and EU level. The legal structure of the Service provided the necessary expertise and assistance for the specific activities at all intelligence process stages. As the cooperation with law enforcement bodies intensified, the representatives of the dedicated department attended joint actions, in accordance with the relevant legal provisions and bilateral protocols. As in previous years, the main activities with legal implications were considering:  analyzing, formulating comments and proposals for draft laws of general application at the national or EU level;  elaborating views and national positions regarding EU projects with relevance to security activities;  assimilating and implementing the European legislation with relevance to the Service's responsibilities;  participating in investigations into potential breaches of law by SRI staff - including under the coordination of military prosecutors, observing the Criminal Procedure Code;  representing SRI's interests in court;  ensuring the legality of public acquisitions;  exercising internal oversight, on principle of legality. As national authority on wiretapping, SRI provided, through the National Wiretapping Centre (CNIC), the implementation of warrants authorizing the communication interception according to Article 20 of the Law nr.535-22/ 2004 on Preventing and Countering Terrorism or to Article 911-5 of the Criminal Procedure Code, for all structures of the national security system and for the Public Ministry. In 2010, 30,624 authorizations for national security-related customers were submitted to CNIC (by 38% more than in 2009). 11 The main increase was reported in the number of authorizations for activities coordinated by investigation and prosecution bodies as part of efforts to curb tax evasion and organized crime activities with severe consequences on state budget revenues. From the customers' point of view, the following were issued:  27,510 authorizations for investigation and prosecution bodies or institutions of the defense, law enforcement and national security system;  3,114 for SRI. As in previous years, the share of authorizations for SRI in the total volume is low -only 10.16% - and down to two percent over the previous year, the main customers of the technical operations carried out being other structures of the national defense, law enforcement and national security system. As compared with 2009, the number of initial warrants obtained by SRI slightly increased, which is explained by the existence of dangerous situations in terms of national security, which required the launch and implementation of specific complex measures in the investigation of facts generating threats to national security in other forms of activity. Moreover, retrospective analysis of the last three years shows that this indicator maintains to a relatively constant level (10-13% of all authorizations). IV.2.3. Financial Oversight Service's financial and economic activity focused on the optimum functioning of this institution, adequately implementing the criteria of legality and efficiency. These issues were reflected in the periodical statements, according to the present Regulations, submitted to the relevant institutions (mainly the Ministry of Finance). In 2010, the Romanian Court of Accounts conducted 28 public external audits, the conclusions attesting the legality of operations carried out in the field of management and use of financial resources approved in the budget, and property management for the 2009 budget year. The main processes / areas constantly audited were:  establishment of necessary resources (by implementing the provisions of the integrated planning system);  budget execution and property management;  financial and non-financial record system, respectively internal control system. The applied system of financial management - considering the full spectrum of goals and specific activities of the Service - allowed the efficient allocation of the available financial resources. 12 CHAPTER V COOPERATION WITH CIVIL SOCIETY V.1. Relations with Civil Society and Security Education Over the recent years, SRI's presence in the public space provided a realistic picture of its role and responsibilities on the national security. SRI's communication strategy was aimed at strengthening the general perception of an institution adjusted to the current security environment, open to dialogue and partnerships with civil society. Efforts to publicly promote the institution focused on the four projects initiated in 2009 and successfully continued in 2010:  "Promoting Educational Programs and Careers within the Romanian Intelligence Service";  "Promoting the Profile of Antiterrorist Fighter. Elite Force, 2010 - 20th Anniversary of the Antiterrorist Brigade";  "Security of Critical Infrastructures - priority direction for achieving national security";  "Terrorism near us". As part of these projects, 9 communication events aimed at publicly promoting the Service were organized in 2010 (4 in Bucharest and 5 in the country), being attended by about 750 students from 56 high schools and 2 universities as well as by about 190 teachers, representatives of local public authorities, institutions in the field of defense, public order and national security, local media. These projects also contributed to further promoting the security culture at the public level, aiming at strengthening cooperation with people of relevant socio-professional categories in terms of achieving Romania's security interests. The Service attached significant importance to relations with academic circles, the contacts made during workshops, roundtables or similar events allowing the institution to connect it to scientific and paradigmatic developments. The coordinates of this dialogue were not unilateral, the Service representatives offering a valuable perspective on issues under discussion. SRI's presence at such events was ensured by both the institution's leadership and experts (scientific sessions organized by ANIMV and activities in partnership with the University of Bucharest and the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies). V.2. Relations with Public and Media The interaction with media was aimed at promoting institutional identity and obtaining the support of Romanian people through accurate information on the role, mandate and activities carried out by SRI. The upward trend noticed in the number of complaints, audiences and other types of applications (especially those relating to the free access to public interest information) submitted to the Service shows that public diplomacy activities undertaken in recent years have asserted SRI as a dialogue partner in the relationship with citizens, respectively with other state institutions. The analysis of complaints content reveals a steady high number of people who address to the Service requests under the competence of other authorities or state institutions - which, beyond the message of confidence in the institution, indicates the need for continued public information on the range of tasks carried out by SRI. 8,576 complaints were addressed to SRI in 2010, representing a 119.9% increase over the previous year, 29% from companies and 71% from individuals. Special attention was paid to requests under Law No.544/2001 on the free access to public information, 67 being recorded in 2010, 123% more than in 2009. 4,210 people were received in audience, 57% more than in 2009. The main topics approached during discussions were related to:  requirements for enrolling;  certificates and benefits;  complaints and notifications;  authorizations. Considering the predilection in using the Internet as a means of communication, an important component of the relationship with citizens has been the SRI website, which is updated with information on activities and events, as well as the publications issued by the Service. Besides its role to inform citizens, the Internet provided an effective channel of dialogue, 2,602 e-mails being received in 2010, a number similar to those received in 2009. V.3. Transfer of the Securitate files SRI activities related to the application of GEO No. 24/2008 on Access to One's Own File and the Unveiling of the Securitate, Law No. 293/2008 and CSAT decisions have resulted in:  taking the necessary steps to tackle the 705 CNSAS demands regarding people who were subject to Securitate's activity;  handing over the copies of Securitate files on microfilm support, submitted in original the previous years. In 2010, microfilm copies for 33 files were handed over, based on punctual requests, as well as 3,770 rolls of microfilm containing data for 192,304 files. As compared to 2009, a 13.8%, increase in the number of files and a 62.4% decrease in the number of rolls were registered. At the same time, in 2010, electronic copies of record books corresponding to closed archive funds were handed over to CNANS, totalling 18,751 images resulted from digital photography of 59 volumes. In continuation of this process, 1.625 microfilm rolls containing a total of 99,913 files are prepared for being handed over during the current year. 13 CHAPTER VI RESOURCES MANAGEMENT VI.1. Human Resources Management VI.1.1. Parameters of SRI's Human Resources Management The priorities for 2010 in the field of Human Resources focused on:  developing a methodological framework for the implementation at the level of the institution of Law No. 330/2009 on Unitary Salaries of the Staff Paid from Public Funds;  adapting the human resource sector to organizational changes within SRI units, respectively to the needs imposed by security developments;  efficiently managing the staff dynamics, to ensure an optimal level of employment in the Service's structures;  developing the professional training framework, including as part of the future SRI Career Guide. In accordance with the institution's needs and competences as well as with the human resource distribution policy stipulated in the above-mentioned programmatic document, 70% of SRI's human resources were working, on December 31, 2010, in the operational field, and 30% in the functional field. The values are similar to those recorded at the end of 2009, reflecting the maintenance of the rate assumed in the reform process. The average age of SRI's