TURKEY REQUESTS ADDITIONAL BORDER CONTROL

UNCLAS ANKARA 000284 SIPDIS STATE FOR NP, EUR/SE, AND DS/IP/EUR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM ETTC ASEC TU SUBJECT: TURKEY REQUESTS ADDITIONAL BORDER CONTROL ASSISTANCE REF: A. 02 ANKARA 7670 ¶B. 02 STATE 165781 ¶C. 01 STATE 101278 ¶1. Embassy Ankara received correspondence dated December 4 from the Turkish Under Secretary for Customs requesting additional radiation detection equipment be provided for Turkish borders. Embassy notes that the current NP/NDF program completed its last installations in December 2002. The Turks are requesting such cooperation be extended to additional border posts beyond the end of the completed program. Embassy Ankara understands similar programs may be possible through the EXBS program and/or the Department of Energy. ¶2. Text of the abovementioned correspondence is roughly translated as follows: To the US Embassy: Under the MOU signed between our MFA and your Embassy February 16, 2002, with the goal of preventing the smuggling of radioactive and nuclear materials, your government has completed the program to install 28 sets of radiation detectors at 10 of our border points. In addition, the work to install nuclear material detectors at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, and Haydarpasa and Ambarli seaports will be completed in December of 2002. Installations will also occur at Gurbulak once the border crossing renovations are completed. However, the Undersecretariat has considered correspondence from our MFA dated November 15 regarding whether to continue the radiation detector installations. Given recent events, likely terrorist activities and Turkey's geographic position, we believe that the installation of radiation detectors at Trabzon, Cesme, and Izmit/Derince seaports as well as Edirne (Derekoy and Ipsala) Gaziantep (Oncupinar) border gate would be appropriate. With the wish to increase existing mutual solidarity and cooperation, I respectfully submit to you this information. /s/ Dr. Nevzat Saygilioglu Undersecretary ¶3. Action Requested: Please advise on an appropriate response to the Turkish request. PEARSON