AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH TURKISH INTERIOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 007738

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/17/2013
TAGS: ASEC PREL PTER TU
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH TURKISH INTERIOR
MINISTER AKSU: COUNTERTERRORISM/COUNTERINTEL COOPERATION


(U) Classified by Ambassador Eric Edelman, E. O. 12958,
reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).



1. (C) Summary: Ambassador emphasized to Interior Minister
Aksu U.S. willingness to offer FBI-sponsored training and to
arrange visits to the U.S. terrorism counterintelligence
center. Ambassador also raised concerns about Turkish
airport security and lack of visa requirement for Iranians.
Aksu welcomed the training offers; claimed he had fixed the
airport problems but asked aides to make sure; and said the
GOT would require visas for Iranians as part of EU
harmonization. Aksu also spoke to CODEL Cox (Homeland
Security Committee) by telephone. End Summary.



2. (U) In a December 16 meeting, Ambassador thanked Interior
Minister Aksu for the physical security Turkish police are
providing to the U.S. Mission in Turkey. The Ambassador
explained that, due to crew rest issues, CODEL Cox was unable
to come to Ankara to meet Aksu as planned.



3. (C) Ambassador noted that U.S. and Turkish law
enforcement authorities have worked together effectively in
the past and spotlighted training opportunities in the U.S.
that will facilitate cooperation in the future. Two Turkish
experts would be welcome to attend an FBI-sponsored large
vehicle bomb post-blast investigation course in January.
Turkish police would be welcome to attend other courses at
the FBI Academy; the Ambassador provided Aksu a
Turkish-language copy of the course descriptions. Turkish
police and Turkish National Intelligence Organization (TNIO)
officials are invited to visit the U.S.'s terrorism
counterintelligence center. Welcoming the offers, Aksu
recalled he had participated in and encouraged similar
programs during his prior stint as Interior Minister.



4. (C) Ambassador underscored U.S. concerns about Turkish
airport security. Currently there is no enforcement of the
requirement that airline passengers clear immigration and
customs at their first point of entry. Instead, this is
being done at the final destination. Aksu claimed he had
changed the procedure one month ago. Ambassador asked if
Aksu is certain his order has been implemented, or whether
the procedure has reverted instead to a "honor system"
relying on passengers to identify themselves as coming from
foreign-origin flights. Aksu asked an aide to look into the
matter.



5. (C) Ambassador also noted U.S. concern about the lack of
a Turkish visa requirement for Iranians. According to press
accounts, one of the suspects in the November Istanbul
bombings reportedly traveled back and forth between Turkey
and Iran; this is an area Turkey needs to review. Aksu
replied that Turkey will impose a visa requirement on
Iranians as part of EU harmonization. Turkey is imposing the
visa requirement on various countries in tranches; Iran's
group will come "soon," he claimed. "It's in the pipeline,"
an aide volunteered.



6. (U) At the conclusion of the meeting, CODEL Cox called
Aksu by telephone and the two spoke cordially for several
minutes.
EDELMAN