TURKEY: IN SEARCH OF A ROLE IN PSI

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 007584 SIPDIS FOR NP, T, AND EUR/SE E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/10/2013 TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL TU SUBJECT: TURKEY: IN SEARCH OF A ROLE IN PSI REF: A. SECSTATE 335671 ¶B. HEALD-HRYCAJ EMAIL 12/09/03 ¶C. ANKARA 7443 (U) Classified by Pol-Mil Counselor Timothy Betts, reasons 1.5, b/d. ¶1. (C) PolMilOff delivered ref A and B information to MFA Disarmament Department Head Bulent Meric. Meric said that the GOT had discussed at length the PSI Principles and supported them unambiguously. In addition, the GOT was committed to making an "effective contribution" to interdiction activities and was searching for a role in which it could do that. After reviewing the "London document" the GOT believed that its support for PSI was sufficient to participate in the December meeting. PolMilOff reiterated that the December meeting was for operational experts to plan their contributions to future activities. PolMilOff suggested that bilateral consultations might be a better means of answering Turkey's questions. But Meric said Turkey wanted to see how other countries, not just the US, were participating, how they came to define their roles in PSI, and what capabilities they were providing. Then the GOT hoped to determine what Turkish capabilities were needed and assign them. ¶2. (C) Meric noted that the GOT still had questions about the modalities of a PSI interdiction, and he was unsure how to get these answers without participating in the experts level meetings. He said that Turkey would be open about its own interdiction shortcomings -- its legislation for this type of interdiction was still "embryonic" and its bureaucratic coordination needed to be streamlined. When PolMilOff asked if TGS and the Ministry of Interior had been consulted on the issue, Meric replied that the Turkish policy on support for PSI was clear. ¶3. (C) Comment and Recommendation: The Turks clearly support PSI and want to participate, but they need to be exposed to the process in order to feel comfortable with it and determine how best to contribute. Embassy Ankara recommends inviting an expert team of Turks to participate in the December meeting (clearly defining what type of experts are expected),and providing a day of consultations the day prior to the meeting in order to answer some of the GOT's questions. Embassy Ankara looks forward to Washington's decision. EDELMAN