INTERIOR MINISTER AKSU ON ANTI-TERROR COOPERATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000340

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2014
TAGS: PREL PTER SY TU
SUBJECT: INTERIOR MINISTER AKSU ON ANTI-TERROR COOPERATION


Classified by Ambassador Eric S. Edelman; reasons 1.5 (b) and
(d).



1. (C) Summary: In Jan. 16 meeting with Interior Minister
Aksu, Ambassador highlighted USG interest in strengthening
counter terrorism cooperation and intelligence sharing with
the GOT. Aksu asserted CT relations with Syria are
improving, committed to instituting passenger and baggage
checks to address airport security loopholes, and updated the
Ambassador on EU harmonization laws that he claimed would put
an end to Iranian visa-free travel. End Summary.


COUNTER TERRORISM TRAINING



2. (C) The Ambassador commended the Turkish National Police
for very thorough and aggressive investigations into the
Istanbul bombings and stressed the importance of a close
working relationship between Post and the TNP. Aksu contends
the GOT is one step closer to formalizing a CT training
relationship after concluding a memorandum of intent that
contains very similar language to Leahy (ATA Memorandum).
Aksu cited as evidence of the GOT,s commitment to
cooperation, multiple bilateral security and cooperative
agreements ranging from combating terrorism, to drug
smuggling, and human trafficking. The Ambassador emphasized
that acceptance of Leahy language would secure CT training
opportunities with the FBI and DEA.



3. (C) The Ambassador reiterated an invitation for a GOT
delegation to visit the Counter Terrorism Center in
Washington. Both agreed the invitation would best be
accepted following PM Erdogan,s late-January U.S. visit )
demonstrating positive results from Erdogan,s visit to the
U.S.




OUTSTANDING ASSISTANCE FROM SYRIA



4. (C) Aksu asserted that his recent meeting with President
Assad highlighted greatly improved Turkish-Syrian cooperative
CT efforts. Immediately following the Istanbul bombings the
TNP furnished a list of suspects to Syrian authorities. The
list included detailed intelligence, photos and other
identifying data, on suspected conspirators. Syria responded
immediately by extraditing the conspirators and those who
sheltered them. Aksu claimed that Syria,s assistance
resulted in the quick capture of many of the conspirators.




VISA RESTRICTIONS ON IRANIANS WILL BE ADDRESSED THROUGH EU
HARMONIZATION LAWS



5. (C) The Ambassador noted the importance of instituting
visa requirements on travelers from Iran. Aksu said he
agreed, but indicated the issue of visa-free travel would be
addressed on a more general level (not just targeting Iran)
as part of the larger effort to harmonize Turkish and
European travel laws. Aksu concluded, &It will take some
time.8




NEW AIRPORT SECURITY RULES STILL NOT FLYING



6. (C) Aksu said he supports closing a customs and
immigration loophole in Turkish airport security that enables
travelers to avoid checks at Turkish border and customs
controls. He said the administrative details of implementing
&passenger and baggage checks at the first port of entry8
are still be hammered out by the Directorate General of Civil
Aviation.
EDELMAN