Cablegate: Exbs: Turkey Advisor Monthly Reporting Cable

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 006803

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NP/ECC- PVANSON, ACHURCH, TGROEN
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE- DMARTING, DMCCORMICK
CBP/INA FOR PWALKER, RGALBRAITH
USDOE/NNSA FOR TPERRY
DOC FOR PETERSON-BEARD
USCG FOR BGOLDEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL
SUBJECT: EXBS: TURKEY ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE
(NOVEMBER 2004)

REF: STATE 146478

1. Summary: EXBS advisor spent this month primarily
focused on ensuring previously introduced initiatives
remained on track and continued to develop. The advisor
participated in meetings concerning the NP Agreement,
development of the Commodity Identification Training (CIT)
plan and Turkish Customs Service prioritization of engagement
opportunities. Finally, EXBS advisor coordinated the
successful visit of the Interpol/DOE Threat Reduction
Initiative Training (CRITr) program team. This program
provided training and equipment to the Turkish National
Police to improve their radiological sensing capabilities.

2. Completed Actions for the Reporting Period

A. Site Assessment and Meetings During Recent Reporting
Period

1) November 2- EXBS advisor met with Department Head for
Customs Enforcement Mehmet Guzel. EXBS adviser presented an
outline for the development of the CIT Training Plan for the
recently presented DOE program. EXBS Advisor was invited to
participate in the upcoming planning meeting for the CIT
plan. EXBS adviser also prioritized with Guzel GOT requests
for US assistance in improving the capabilities of Turkish
customs.

2) November 4 - EXBS advisor participated in the Embassy
Border security working group meeting. This meeting is a key
way in which the Embassy can review the various programs that
are involved in assisting the GOT in making there borders
more secure.

3) November 12- EXBS advisor met with MFA Head of
Department, Arms Control and Disarmament Bulent Meric. EXBS
adviser reviewed the current status of the CIT, ICP, SLD
programs and discussed the program and Turkey's future
participation in the PSI experts working group. EXBS Advisor
presented official notification of the upcoming CRITr visit.

4) November 18- EXBS Advisor attended a Turkish Customs
meeting to develop a training plan in support of the DOE CIT.
An outline for the training plan was constructed as well as
a determination of the various levels of training and annual
goals for initial and refresher training. Additional
meetings will be required to formalize the plan and
incorporate additional required information. Following this
meeting, EXBS advisor presented to Mehmet Guzel, Department
Head for Customs Enforcement, an overview presentation of a
Targeting and Risk Management Workshop that could be
customize for Turkey. Guzel told advisor that he would
review the information and would be able to discuss it in the
near future.

5) November 18- EXBS advisor met with Head of Department,
Arms Control and Disarmament Bulent Meric, to deliver several
NP- related demarches and discuss various NP issues. EXBS
adviser also discussed the latest proposed NP Agreement,
noting minor comments from Washington concerning the Turkish
proposal. EXBS Advisor negotiated compromise language that
is currently being vetted with Washington. If approved by
USG, Meric will advocate interagency approval by the GOT.

6) November 23- EXBS Advisor participated in meetings led
by ICE Attach Robert Stiriti, who briefed a GOT interagency
group, including officials from MFA, the Foreign Trade
Undersecretariat (FTU), the Customs U/S, the Security General
Directorate of the Interior Ministry, and the Maritime U/S,
on expanding the Container Security Initiative (CSI) to the
Turkish port of Izmir. During separate meetings, Turkish
officials, including Acting Customs U/S Riza Tuna Turagay and
MFA Deputy Director General for Aviation and Maritime Affairs
Vakur Gozdenizler, reaffirmed Turkey's interest in joining
CSI. While Turkey is very interested in CSI, there are
several issues including equipment shortfalls and a legal
review by the GOT, which need to be resolved.

7) November 29-December 4- Interpol/ Department of Energy
Radiological Threat Reduction Initiative Training (CRITr)
team visited Turkey to oversee training and the transfer of
equipment to the Turkish National Police.

B. Training Conducted During Reporting Period:

1) Nov 29- Dec 4- 30 Members of the Turkish National
Police were trained to detect and mitigate radiological
security threats and how to remain competent in the use of
basic radiological sensing devices. An additional 30
National Police members will be trained during the week of
Dec 6-10, by qualified Turkish instructors.

C. Equipment Delivered During Reporting Period:

1) Although not part of the EXBS program, EXBS advisor
facilitated the donation of nearly $40,000 of basic radiation
protection equipment to the Turkish National Police. This
equipment was provided through the joint INTERPOL/DOE
Radiological Threat Reduction Initiative Program.

D. Imminent Training or Equipment Status Update: None

E. Significant Developments in Export Controls,
Nonproliferation, or Related Border Security

1) The United States received the formal Turkish reply to
the U.S. comments on the NP Agreement. These latest comment
were forwarded to Washington for comment and approval.

3. Future Activities

A. Dec 23- Jan 3- EXBS Advisor will be on in-country
leave.

B. Jan 10- 14, 2005 (tent)- DOC team scheduled to visit
Ankara to introduce the Product Identification Tool to
members of the Turkish government. This tool can improve the
resources available to Turkish Customs official at the border
processing locations.

C. Feb 21-25, 2005 (tent)- DOE SLD Team to conduct follow
on visit to Ankara to coordinate required implementation
agreements, finalize list of priority of border locations for
installation of equipment and to begin planning for site
surveys. This visit is dependent on the status of NP
Cooperation Agreement.

E. Mar 21-24 2005 - EXBS Advisor to conduct program
consultations in Washington DC.

4. Red Flag Issues

A. Finally approval of the U.S. Turkey NP Cooperation
Agreement is needed in order for the EXBS program to begin to
have an impact in Turkey. Without this agreement, which has
been in negotiations for over two years, training and
equipment cannot begin in Turkey. Post awaits Washington's
reply to the Turkish comments and is prepared to expedite
presentation to GOT in hopes of a quick approval.

5. Contact Information for EXBS Advisor Kevin Lyon, phone
(90)(312) 455-5555 ext 2525, fax (90)(312) 468-4775, email
LyonK@state.gov.

EDELMAN

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