New Turkish Airport Security Measures

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 007316

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER EAIR TU
SUBJECT: New Turkish Airport Security Measures



1. (U) Turgay Sahan, of the Turkish National Police'
Aviation Department, provided the Embassy with a copy of
new security procedures introduced at airports as of
November 14. An informal translation of the procedures
follows below:



2. (SBU) Begin Informal Translation Airport Security
Procedures:


Following the additional security measures at European
airports, Al Qaeda started believing that the
possibility of a successful attack with explosives and
guns was reduced. The terrorist organization is now
searching for new arms to conduct such terrorist
attacks. The organization may use cameras as pacifiers,
make technical changes in cameras to hide explosives,
use toys to hide these explosives, or use Swiss army
knives, model knives or shoes to conduct these attacks.
The terrorists may use the flash unit of the camera to
pacify the crew and use this as a tool to take over the
control of the aircraft. The organization is known to
be searching for ways to hide hand-made explosives in
the cameras. They aim to insert the parts and the
necessary mechanisms for these explosives in the cameras
to be able to pass the security screening without any
problem. There are indications that they could also
insert nitroglucose explosives in fur toys.


Although most airline companies and airports have strict
measures against passengers' carrying knives with them
on the aircraft, the terrorists are known to be still
considering this as an option and to be testing the
security at the check points through hiding these knives
in their hand baggage.


It is known that these tests are carried out by the
people traveling for business not directly related with
Al Qaeda, although the organization has also appointed
certain people to conduct this search at the airports
and on aircraft.


Based on the local evaluation we made:


1) Since there is a possibility that a weakness in cargo
terminals could be used for a possible attack,


-- All the related establishments and organizations in
the National Civil Aviation Security Program (NCASP) ,
and specifically those at Istanbul Ataturk Airport and
the ones listed in this Airport's security code should
act line with their responsibilities, or they will be
subject to NCASP sanctions.


-- The packages as well as the vehicles entering and
exiting cargo buildings should be strictly controlled,
entry into cargo buildings should be limited, all
entities functioning in the cargo buildings should be
reminded of their responsibilities and obligations, the
security measures at parking lots for these cargo
buildings should be increased and the suspicious
vehicles should be examined, the vehicles should be
asked to transport passengers without parking in front
of these buildings.


2) In order to avoid any security weakness in the
periphery,


-- all related organizations should examine the physical
measures to take, including measures regarding the human
factor,


-- the security units around the airport should take the
responsibility for the security of the areas outside the
airport, the areas which enable access to the airport
from the highways or the sea,


-- the various gates on the fence surrounding the
airport should be closed, as long as it does not effect
the normal functioning of the airport,


3) A teamwork should be established at the airport, and
everybody should be more sensitive about entry-exit
controls, on informing all the personnel working at the
airport on the necessity of the security measures, and
particularly on displaying ID cards.


4) The airports which have a closed circuit TV (CCTV)
system should display the notices and announcements in
the CCTV rooms, the others should establish a news
center at the airport and display these announcements.
These centers will also be used to transfer messages on
suspicious cases to TNP and the State Airports Authority
(DHMI) through a standard telephone number.


5) Considering how serious of a threat we are facing
nowadays, a Security Commission should be established
which will work efficiently to inform the personnel at
the airports and the communication network previously
established in line with the NCASP should be used to
provide a fast solution to the problems that may arise.


End Informal Translation.
Edelman