TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATION OFFICER (TFCO) AT

UNCLAS ANKARA 005597

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/ESC/TFS, S/CT, INL/C, IO/PHO, AND EUR/SE
TREASURY FOR OFAC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN ETTC KVPR PREL TU KTFN
SUBJECT: TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATION OFFICER (TFCO) AT
EMBASSY ANKARA

REF: STATE 201391


1. (SBU) Embassy Ankara's Terrorism Finance Coordination
Officer (TFCO) is Robert S. Deutsch, Deputy Chief of Mission.
E-mail: DeutschRS@state.gov. Tel: 90-312-455-5555, ext.2202.


2. (SBU) The TFCO Deputy is Thomas H. Goldberger, Economic
Counselor. E-mail: GoldbergerTH@state.gov. Tel:
90-312-455-5555, ext. 2254. An additional contact is
Michelle G. Los Banos, Economic Officer. E-mail:
LosBanosMG@state.gov. Tel: 90-312-455-5555, ext. 2253.


3. (SBU) The Embassy DCM/TFCO chairs a Counter Terrorism
Finance Working Group (CTFWG) in which representatives from
the Embassy Economic, Regional Affairs and Regional Security
Sections and DEA and FBI who deal with terrorism finance
regularly meet. Post coordinates with Consulates Istanbul
and Adana. Given the differing mix of sections and agencies,
Post believes it most efficient for the CTFWG to meet
separately, but closely coordinate with the Visas
Viper/Homeland Security Working Group processes. The TFCO
and Deputy TFCO participate in both groups which meet
monthly. The TFCO works closely with all other relevant
agencies and entities in the Mission to ensure a coordinated
approach to terrorism finance issues. The Embassy economic
section cooperates with the Turkish MFA representative who
handles matters related to terrorism finance to exchange
information and request action. The DCM has extensive
professional experience with financial and sanctions issues
and the Deputy Economic Counselor recently received training
in Washington on combating terrorist financing. The Economic
section also works closely with the USG's Financial Crimes
Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the Office of Overseas
Prosecutorial Development (OPDAT) at the Department of
Justice to manage training programs and visits related to
terrorism finance issues. Country clearance requests are
reviewed by the TFCO and relevant sections and agencies at
Post.


4. (SBU) The Ambassador has discussed the issue of terrorism
finance with the Turkish government at the Ministerial level.
It helps Post's efforts if Washington continues to designate
Turkey as a priority country for receiving programs and
training to combat terrorism finance. It would also be
helpful if senior USG officials raised terrorism finance in
their meetings with senior GOT officials.
EDELMAN