This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 005024
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NP/ECC- PVANSON, ACHURCH, TGROEN
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE- DMARTIN, DMCCORMICK
CBP/INA FOR PWARKER, RGALBRAITH
USDOE/NNSA FOR TPERRY
DOC FOR PETERSEN-BEARD
USCG FOR RCIESLINSKI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL
SUBJECT: EXBS: TURKEY ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE
REF: STATE 146478
1. Summary: August was a productive month despite the high
number of Turkish contacts that were still enjoying their
traditional summer vacation. The DOE Second Line of Defense
visit was able to lay the initial groundwork required to
begin the planning process in upgrading the portal monitors
at many of the Turkish border crossing. EXBS Advisor met with
Turkish officials to coordinate the upcoming initial visits
for the DOC Internal Compliance Program and the DOE Commodity
Identification Program. He also began planning with the
Undersecretariat for Customs for a review of each border
crossing to establish a base line of operations and
prioritization list for areas of improvement in training,
equipment and possibly facilities. Finally, EXBS Advisor
continued to establish himself as the Embassy's main point of
contact in the field of nonproliferation for the GOT. End
Summary.
2. Completed Actions for the Reporting Period
A. Site Assessment and Meetings During Recent
Reporting Period
1) August 2-3- Department of Energy second Line
of Defense Team conducted introductory discussion with
Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Customs and Atomic
Energy Authority. This program received favorable comments
from the GOT and they would like to begin the program as soon
as possible.
2) August 6- EXBS advisor met with Mr. Okay
Cakiroglu, President of the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority
(TAEK). The meeting focused on TAEK,s involvement in the
GOT nonproliferation program. Mr. Cakiroglu outlined how
TAEK supports the work being accomplished by Turkish Customs.
It is also involved in the region, focusing on standardizing
Atomic Energy and other nuclear activities in Turkic speaking
countries, such as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and
Uzbekistan. Turkey is organizing and sponsoring the Eurasian
Conference for Nuclear Science and Its Application in
Uzbekistan this October.
3) August 12- EXBS advisor met with MFA DDG for
Disarmament Haluk Ilicak. During the meeting discussion were
held on current projects including the EXBS MOU, Turkey's
participation in the PSI experts working group, and future
participation in the SEDM conference and future PSI
activities. EXBS advisor presented information on upcoming
EXBS activities including the Internal Compliance Program
initiation meetings, Black Sea and Caspian Sea Maritime
Workshop. Finally, EXBS advisory outline plan to work with
Undersecretariat of Customs Enforcement to begin a
coordinated review of the GOT Customs procedures to develop a
list of potential areas with the EXBS program could focus to
assist GOT.
4) August 19- EXBS advisor met with DDG for
Customs Enforcement Riza Mehmet Korkmaz_ and Department Head
Mehmet Guzel to begin work in the development of a
coordinated review of the GOT Customs Enforcement activities,
with the aim of developing a list of areas which the EXBS
program could assist the GOT in customs enforcement. It was
decided that Department Head Guzel will develop a
presentation of the overall GOT Customs activities and
believed shortfalls. A future meeting will be scheduled to
review this information and develop a schedule of visits to
customs areas.
5) August 27- EXBS advisor delivered a pair of
Diplomatic Notes to Turkish MFA. The first proposing a set of
coordination meetings to begin the process of developing and
customizing the DOC Internal Control Program for Turkey and
another inviting GOT participation in the upcoming
Black/Caspian Sea Maritime Conference which will take place
in Kiev, Ukraine.
B. Training Conducted During Reporting Period: None.
C. Equipment Delivered During Reporting Period: None
D. Imminent Training or Equipment Status Update:
None
E. Significant Developments in Export Controls,
Nonproliferation, or Related Border Security
1) Turkey participated in the multi-national PSI
Exports Working Group in Copenhagen and Oslo. This was the
first major working group exercise in which Turkey
participated with a full team of experts. The team actively
participated and agreed to send a team to the next PSI
Working Group exercise as well as offering assets to the
Maritime Exercise in Spain and to host an exercise in 2006.
(Comment: Discussions in September placed a questions mark
over Turkey's future participation in PSI activities; see
septel (notal))
2) Turkish replied to the U.S. comments on the
umbrella EXBS agreement. The comments where forwarded to the
Department via cable for consideration. Post also provided
the Department with possible language to modify the last area
of disagreement between the U.S. and GOT. Once this or
similar language is accepted the agreement can move forward
in the Turkish government for full approval.
3) Turkey submitted a delegation list for
participation in the Southeast European Defense Ministers
conference, which will take place in Bled, Slovenia in early
September. EXBS Advisor served as the main link between the
GOT delegation and OSD for this conference.
4) Turkey submitted a delegation list for the
upcoming PSI maritime exercise that is to take place in
Newport, Rhode Island in September. The team of experts
appears to be fully qualified and prepared to actively
participate in this workshop. EXBS Advisor is the Post lead
on the PSI initiative.
3. Future Activities
A. September 8-11- Turkey will send a team of Border
Security Experts to the South Eastern Europe Defense
Ministers Conference in Bled Slovenia.
B. September 20-24 - Preliminary meetings will be held
with Department of Commerce team to discuss the Internal
Control Program. Country clearance request received, awaiting
confirmation of dates from MFA before proceeding with
detailed coordination.
C. September 27-30- Turkey will send a team of Senior
Maritime Leaders to participate in the Black Sea and Caspian
Sea Maritime Leaders Conference in Kiev, Ukraine.
D. Sept/Oct- EXBS Advisor will begin review of Custom
Border posts, including actual site visits. A schedule of
visits is being developed with the Undersecretariat for
Customs Enforcement and will include visits to major
seaports, airports and land border crossings.
E. Oct 4-17 - EXBS adviser will travel to Washington DC
for program consultations and leave.
F. Oct 18-20- EXBS Advisor will attend EUCOM Black Sea
Initiative Conference in Garmish, Germany.
4. Red Flag Issues
A. Finally approval of the U.S. Turkey EXBS agreement
is needed in order for the EXBS program to begin to have an
impact in Turkey. Post submitted to State Department
proposed wording change to the agreement that we believe
would be acceptable to the GOT (Ankara 04779). Awaiting
reply to cable before presenting this wording to GOT MFA.
B. The DOE SLD and INECP along with the DOC ICP
Programs are ready to start as soon as the overarching EXBS
agreement is signed and in effect, with background and
preparatory meetings already scheduled.
5. Contact Information for EXBS Adviser: Kevin Lyon, phone
(90)(312) 455-5555 ext 2525, fax (90)(312) 468-4775, email
LyonK@state.gov.
EDELMAN