EXBS; TURKEY ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE-

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 005673 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NP/ECC- PVANSON, ACHURCH, TGROEN DEPT FOR EUR/ACE- DMARTING, DMCCORMICK CBP/INA FOR PWALKER, RGALBRAITH USDOE/NNSA FOR TPERRY DOC FOR PETERSON-BEARD USCG FOR RCIESLINSKI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL SUBJECT: EXBS; TURKEY ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE- (SEPTEMBER 2004) REF: STATE 146478 ¶1. Summary: September proved to be a very productive month for the Non-proliferation programs in Turkey. The EXBS Advisor was able to make significant advances in the EXBS Agreement, Second Line of Defense (SLD) prioritization, Internal Control Program (ICP) coordination and establishment of baseline of capabilities and areas of improvement in training, equipment and facilities of the Turkish Customs Authority. While, minor set backs were experienced in Turkey's participation in PSI, all other programs seem to be moving ahead with desired results. The upcoming months should see continued interaction with the Ministries involved in non-proliferation and the EXBS advisor as the programs, along with new initiatives, are introduced. ¶2. Completed Actions for the Reporting Period ¶A. Site Assessment and Meetings During Recent Reporting Period 1) September 3- EXBS advisor met with MFA DDG for Arms Control and Disarmament Haluk Ilicak. During the meeting, current projects, including the EXBS MOU, Turkey's current and future participation in the PSI Experts Working Group, and proposed visits by teams to discuss ICP and Commodity Identification Training (CIT) programs in Turkey were discussed, as was Turkey's support for and activities in the Missile Technology Control Regime. Finally, EXBS advisor informed Ilicak that Turkey would not be invited to be a member of the Core Group of PSI. Ilicak noted his displeasure with this decision and stated that he could not predict the GOT's reaction to this information. He was unsure if Turkey would remain a participant in the upcoming PSI Experts Working Group exercise. 2) September 9- EXBS advisor met with MFA Head of Department, Arms Control and Disarmament Bulent Meric. During the meeting, current projects including the EXBS MOU, Turkey's current and future participation in the PSI experts working group, and proposed visits by teams to discuss ICP and CIT programs in Turkey were discussed. In addition, a general agenda for the upcoming ICP meetings was agreed on as well as the location and list of attendees for the meetings. Proposed dates for the upcoming CIT visit were also discussed. 3) September 15- EXBS advisor met with MFA Head of Department, Arms Control and Disarmament Bulent Meric. During the meeting EXBS adviser delivered the newest revised U.S. proposal for the EXBS MOU. Also discussions were conducted concerning Turkey's current and future participation in the PSI experts working group, and the proposed visits by teams to discuss ICP and CIT programs in Turkey. The detailed agenda for the upcoming ICP meetings was agreed on along with final details on the meetings. 4) September 16- EXBS Adviser participated in meeting with LCDR Michael Bee, USCG, U.S. International Port Security Liaison to discuss Turkey's compliance with International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and the effects that these changes could have on port activity. Also, discussed was the coordinating of Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection and Transportation Security Administration activities to best utilize limited Turkish and Embassy resources. 5) September 20- EXBS adviser was notified by MFA Head of Department, Arms Control and Disarmament Bulent Meric of GOT's decision not to participate in the upcoming PSI Experts Working Group exercise in Newport. According to Meric, this decision was a result of the GOT's need to focus more on its area of immediate influence within the region and in response to being excluded from consideration for membership in the PSI Core Group. 6) September 21-24- Department of Commerce led Internal Control Program (ICP) team visited Turkey to conduct meetings in Ankara and Istanbul. (see Section E) 7) September 28- EXBS advisor met with Undersecretariat for Customs, Department Head for Customs Enforcement Mehmet Guzel. EXBS adviser was shown a detailed presentation of the current state of Customs Enforcement in Turkey, including new technology being utilized and technological advances being implemented into the Customs Border Crossing. EXBS advisor was also provided a list of areas where the GOT believes the US can assist in improving the capabilities of Turkish customs, along with Turkey's prioritized list of border locations for SLD installations. A future meeting, following EXBS Adviser's trip to US in October, will be scheduled to review this information and develop a schedule of visits to Customs Border Posts. 8) September 30 - EXBS advisor met with Head of Department, Arms Control and Disarmament Bulent Meric. During the meeting EXBS adviser discussed the latest proposed EXBS Agreement which appears ready for inter-ministerial review, Turkey's future participation in the PSI experts working group, and proposed visits by team CIT programs in Turkey. EXBS Advisor also reviewed the previous meetings by the ICP team, and gained GOT agreement that the ICP project is on track. ¶B. Training Conducted During Reporting Period: None. ¶C. Equipment Delivered During Reporting Period: None ¶D. Imminent Training or Equipment Status Update: None ¶E. Significant Developments in Export Controls, Nonproliferation, or Related Border Security 1) Turkey participated in the Southeast European Defense Ministers conference, which will took place in Bled, Slovenia. This conference allowed the Turkish representatives to share experiences with other delegations concerning terrorism and other threats within the region. 2) Turkey withdrew from participation in the PSI maritime exercise, which took place in Newport, Rhode Island. While GOT had identified a highly qualified team, the GOT determined in a reevaluation of PSI participation that Turkey would focus its active participation on activities occurring within its immediate region. Both MFA and TGS contacts confirm that the GOT still supports participation in PSI. Turkey's Military Attach in Japan will represent Turkey at the upcoming Japanese-led exercise in October. The GOT is still awaiting invitation to the planned Spanish led exercise scheduled for early 2005, and is evaluating the possibility of hosting an exercise in 2006. 3) DOC ICP team visited Turkey from September 20-24 to conduct final coordination meetings. These meetings allowed GOT to conduct one final review of the proposed product, while also establishing criteria for the selection of a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that will assist in customization of the program for Turkey. A presentation was also conducted for major Turkish exporters to review the program and provide feedback on usefulness in Turkey. Industry representatives were enthusiastic about the product and expressed their belief that it will be useful in the control of inventories and determination of exporting licensing requirements. GOT is currently in the process of selecting the appropriate NGO to work with ICP Team to begin customization process. 4) Turkey participated in the EXBS sponsored-Black Sea and Caspian Sea Maritime Conference conducted in Kiev, Ukraine. This conference allowed all countries with coasts on either the Black Sea or Caspian Sea to share current and future programs. It also allowed each maritime organization to meet the leaders of other maritime organizations in the region. 5) The United States, verbally received the Turkish reply to the US's latest draft of the umbrella EXBS agreement. The newest draft appears to meet the necessary requirement for GOT approval. An inter-ministerial meeting is being scheduled for early October to discuss the proposed agreement, in hopes of achieving the necessary governmental approval for signature and submission to parliament for final approval. ¶3. Future Activities a. Oct 4-17 - EXBS adviser will travel to Washington, DC for program consultations and leave. b. Oct 18-20- EXBS adviser will participate in EUCOM Black Sea Conference being held in Garmish, Germany. c. Oct 25-26- DOE INCEP team will visit Ankara and hold coordination meetings with the Turkish government as the preliminary steps in introducing the Commodity Identification Training Program to Turkey. d. Nov/Dec- EXBS Advisor will begin on-site review of Custom Border posts, including actual site visits. A schedule of visits is being developed with the Undersecretariat for Customs Enforcement and will include visits to major seaports, airports and land border crossings. e. Jan 2005 - DOC Product Identification Tool coordination meeting to be held. (tentatively) ¶4. Red Flag Issues a. Final approval of the U.S./Turkey EXBS agreement appears to be closer than it has been for quite some time. The approval of this agreement will have an impact on the EXBS program here in Turkey. The GOT is very interested in beginning both the SLD and ICP Programs. While the start of the ICP program does not require approval of the EXBS agreement, this agreement is a source of discussion during every meeting with MFA, Customs, Foreign Trade or other GOT organizations involved in the EXBS program. Once approved, the SLD program can move ahead coordinating its implementation agreement and schedule visits to start the design and installation phase of the program. Also, other activities and support can begin without concern over the status of this project. ¶5. Contact Information for EXBS Adviser: Kevin Lyon, phone (90)(312) 455-5555 ext 2525, fax (90)(312) 468-4775, email LyonK@state.gov. EDELMAN