US embassy cable - 05BRUSSELS3561

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 003561 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR INL/PC, EUR/ERA; DOJ FOR BRUCE SWARTZ 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KCRM, KJUS, EUN, G-8, USEU BRUSSELS 
SUBJECT: CHILD PORN DATA BASE TO BE RAISED AT JHA 
MINISTERIAL OCTOBER 6 
 
1.  Summary.  On September 15 the G-8 Lyon Law Enforcement 
Subgroup formally presented a report on the deployment of an 
International Child Sexual Exploitation Image Database (ICSE 
DB) to Interpol.  The ICSE DB is intended to increase the 
effectiveness and efficiency of investigations by improving 
the accessibility and retrieval by law enforcement of data 
concerning international child sexual exploitation crimes. 
Costs for development and initial implementation of the 
project are estimated at Euro two million, with operation and 
maintenance costs over one million Euros for a three-year 
period.  The UK has requested that discussion of funding 
options for the ISCE DB be included on the agenda for the JHA 
Troika to be held in Washington October 6.  End summary. 
 
Background 
-------------- 
 
2.  In 2001 under the Italian presidency of the G8, Justice 
and Interior Ministers directed their officials to find new 
and more effective measures to counter the sexual 
exploitation of children on the Internet.  The result was the 
STOP II Feasibility Study which was presented to G8 ministers 
in December 2002.  The feasibility study set out a number of 
recommendations regarding the use of a sophisticated 
networked international child sexual exploitation image 
database, together with the technical and legal requirements 
to make this a reality.  The on-going political will of G8 
ministers was reinforced at their meeting in June 2005 in 
Sheffield when they endorsed the project and committed 
themselves to working with Interpol to secure the additional 
resources necessary for Interpol to implement it. 
 
Project Proposal 
------------------ 
 
3.  The proposed database would enhance of the existing 
Interpol child pornography database and should be an 
effective tool for law enforcement which is currently 
hampered in fighting these offenses by national borders and 
limited resources in identifying victims and offenders of 
child sexual exploitation on-line around the world.  The 
proposed system will be operative 365 days per year, 24 hours 
per day for Interpol's 182 member countries using Interpol's 
24/7 communication network.  The report encourages 
participants to contribute images it uncovers to the 
database, but recognizes that some national laws proscribe 
such transfers.  In that event, descriptive case data is to 
be supplied for inclusion in the database.  A CD ROM of the 
Implementation Report has been sent to DOJ Criminal Division 
attorney Tom Burrows. 
 
4. The Implementation Study indicates the costs for 
development and initial implementation of the project at 
approximately Euro 2 million, with operation and maintenance 
costs estimated at over Euro one million over a three-year 
period.  These figures are to be considered estimates only; 
actual expenditures may be higher. 
 
5.  Comment.  The UK Presidency of the EU has requested that 
funding options for the ISCE DB be included in the agenda for 
the JHA Troika to be held in Washington on October 6.  USEU 
DOJ Senior Counsel Mark Richard played a key role as chair of 
Legal Working Group for the Study and will attend the Troika. 
 While the USG will not be expected to make a precise 
financial commitment at the meeting, Interpol will be looking 
to Washington for a pledge of resource assistance to this 
important project.  End comment. 
 
McKinley 
.