Country Reports on Terrorism 2012

Tunisia. Tunisian authorities intensified their coordination with Libyan and Algerian
counterparts, and during a November trip to Algiers, Prime Minister Jebali reiterated that Tunisia
and Algeria were committed to cross-border cooperation to stem illegal arms and drug
trafficking, contraband smuggling, illegal immigration, and infiltration of armed gangs. On
December 3, Prime Minister Jebali and Algerian Prime Minister Selial signed a joint statement
vowing to fight terrorism, organized crime, and drug trafficking. On December 24, Algerian
Interior Minister Dahou Ould Kablia announced that Algeria and Tunisia had signed an
agreement to strengthen border security coordination to include the creation of joint patrols to
combat terrorism, human trafficking, smuggling, and illegal migration. The signing followed two
days of meetings between Kablia and Tunisian Prime Minister Jebali and Interior Minister
Laraayedh.
At various times, the Government of Tunisia closed border crossings with Libya and supported
the Algerian authorities’ decision to close part of its border with Tunisia in an effort to prevent
militias, militants, and armed bandits from entering Tunisia. The Tunisian and Algerian security
forces launched joint operations in December to root out an AQIM cell in western Tunisia.
Countering Radicalization and Violent Extremism: In addition to expressions of solidarity
with Tunisia’s minority religious groups, the Tunisian government instructed the Ministry of
Religious Affairs to undertake mosque educational programs designed to promote peaceful
coexistence and religious tolerance.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Overview: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government continued to build its counterterrorism
capacity and strengthened international counterterrorism cooperation. Over the course of the
year, the UAE government improved border security measures and renewed efforts to combat
terrorist financing. The United States and UAE governments were in negotiations to establish a
pre-clearance facility at the Abu Dhabi International Airport. Prominent officials and religious
leaders continued to publicly criticize violent extremist ideology.
Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: The UAE participated in the Megaports
and Container Security Initiatives (CSI). The CSI, which became operational at Port Rashid and
Jebel Ali Port in the Emirate of Dubai in 2005, has two U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) officers co-located with the Dubai Customs Intelligence Unit at Port Rashid. On average,
CSI reviewed approximately 250 bills of lading each week, resulting in about 25 non-intrusive
inspections per month of U.S.- bound containers; examinations were conducted jointly with
Dubai Customs officers, who shared information on transshipments from high risk areas,
including those originating in Iran.
In 2012, the UAE implemented the use of retina scanning devices at international airport arrival
terminals. The risk analysis or targeting practice, i.e., who is subjected to the scans, remained
unclear.
In 2010, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) signed two Memoranda of Cooperation
(MOCs) to support the respective training academies of the UAE Ministry of Interior’s (federal)
Immigration Authority and the Abu Dhabi (emirate) Customs Authority (ADCA) and enhance
capacity building of its police and customs authorities. The aforementioned MOCs remain in
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