TURKEY 2003 END USE MONITORING REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000611 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AFIN SNAR TU SUBJECT: TURKEY 2003 END USE MONITORING REPORT REF: STATE 741 -------------- Overview -------------- ¶1. Since 1986, the International Narcotics Crime and Control (INCC) program has provided approximately 5,500 units of equipment and training, valued at over USD 5.7 million, to five Turkish agencies with responsibility for Turkey,s anti-narcotics programs: The Turkish Grain Board (TMO), Jandarma (paramilitary police under the Minister of the Interior),Customs, Turkish National Police (TNP),and the Amatem drug addiction treatment facility. During calendar year 2003, training and equipment valued at some USD 173,000 was provided. Very generally, the equipment provided during these years can be assigned to the following categories: Computers; communications; surveillance; border inspection; and poppy processing. However, because of the number and types of equipment provided, to report by type of resource rather than by project, as requested in Reftel, is not practicable. (For example, while computers have been provided to all five agencies, they serve completely different functions in each agency.) ¶2. Similarly, because this equipment has been assigned to scores of locations throughout the country, physical inspection of all the equipment is a practical impossibility. Thus, Post relies upon periodic meetings with supervisory personnel in each agency to monitor its use. (It appears that all agencies maintain up-to-date physical inventories.) Where feasible, Post does, in connection with such meetings, also physically inspect some equipment. (This year, such inspections were performed on equipment provided to TMO and Amatem.) Local agency personnel have been uniformly cooperative and helpful with respect to such end-use monitoring. ¶3. Because of Turkey,s refusal to accept Leahy Amendment language contained in the year 2000 Letter of Agreement, the INCC program has been winding down. Unobligated funds from 1999 and prior years in the amount of $122,587 are expected to be obligated before year end 2004, at which point the program will suspend. Post is attempting to persuade the current GOT to accept the disputed Leahy Amendment language, in which case -- funds permitting -- it might be possible to restart the program. Our local partners have made many requests for additional training and equipment, and resumption of the program will be of great value to Turkey,s anti-narcotics efforts. ¶4. Two major lessons emerge from Post,s experience with the program. First, the existing method of funding, under which a predetermined amount (USD 500,000) was allocated among each agency without regard to their needs, is suboptimal. Should the program be revived, when agencies seek funding they should specify the strategic goals to be achieved, and should also suggest benchmarks against which the success of the program and utility of the equipment and training provided can be measured. Second, the choice of make and model of equipment should always be made in close consultation with the agencies, to ensure that it is suited to their needs and local conditions. -------------- Turkish Grain Board -------------- ¶5. Starting in 1992 and continuing through 2001, the INCC program provided TMO with equipment and training valued at over USD 900,000. No items were provided in 2003. All of the equipment is still being used. The objectives of this program are to reduce cost, increase the morphine content of cultivated poppies, and reduce the amount of land under cultivation. All of these objectives are being achieved: Poppy capsule morphine content has doubled since the program started, while the cost of morphine base has declined from $665 per kilo in 1998, to $450 today. TMO hopes to reduce land under cultivation by 50% in the next year (from 149,000 hectares to 70,000),while again doubling productivity. During a meeting on January 19 with TMO facility manager Sen Huseyin and two other TMO officials, Econoff was advised that the following equipment (all of which Econoff inspected during the visit) has been of greatest value to TMO: a. A pilot facility placed into operation in April 2003 (purchased with funds obligated during 2001) will be fully operational in 2004. This facility will be used to develop new methods of determining the alkaloid content of poppy seeds. Mr. Huseyin reported that the U.S.-built equipment purchased through the INCC program is superior to the domestic equipment it replaced. b. Seed Cleaning Equipment (SCE, also purchased with funds obligated during 2001). TMO has begun to cultivate its own poppy plant varieties, which have 2-3 times the morphine content of the plants currently grown by the 100,000 commercial poppy farmers who supply poppy capsules to TMO. The SCE cleans, disinfects and packages the seeds of these new varieties, so that TMO can distribute them to farmers. This coming year, some 800 tons of seeds will be distributed in this manner. Huseyin reported that this process would be quite impossible without the SCE. While TMO is quite happy with the equipment, it does not have the ability to separate seeds according to color. Apparently, the market for comestible poppy seeds (a potential by-product of morphine production and additional source of income to TMO),requires seeds to be sold according to color. TMO has heard that equipment exists that permits such separation, and has asked Post to fund its purchase. c. High pressure liquid chromatographer (HPLC) and computer (purchased with funds obligated during 1999). This equipment measures the morphine content of the morphine base manufactured at the facility, and is used both for research and for quality control. TMO had some small compatibility problems in the beginning (U.S. vs. European standards),but they have now been corrected and TMO is very happy with this equipment. TMO has asked Post to fund the purchase of a second HPLC unit, to use as a backup. -------------- Jandarma -------------- ¶6. Starting in 1993 and continuing through 2003, the INCC program delivered to Jandarma training and equipment valued at over USD 1.2 million. In 2003, the INCC program delivered five laptop computers, valued at USD 12,250. On January 15, Econoff met with Yildirim Cengiz, Department Head, Smuggling and Organized Crimes, and two other Jandarma officials, to discuss the program. While the value of equipment delivered is large, Cengiz described the equipment as being &bits and pieces,8 which is insufficient to carry out a &substantial8 project, and opined that the piece-meal way in which equipment was purchased did not fully meet Jandarma,s needs (see paragraph 4, above). Cengiz suggested a coordinated approach, in which Jandarma,s &real needs8 are met. The most useful items purchased have been the above-mentioned laptops, cameras and radios. Jandarma is currently in need of long-distance surveillance equipment, which Cengiz asked Post to fund. ¶7. Cengiz also described a number of problems arising out of the &Buy America8 policy. He noted that the technical specifications of European equipment are different from those of U.S. equipment, and offered as examples the purchase of video recorders whose tapes won,t play on PAL (European standard) VCRs, and of equipment that is designed for 110 volts, rather than the 220 volts used in Turkey. Cengiz suggested that U.S. experts meet with Jandarma,s technical people to consult on what equipment is best for their purposes. Cengiz also complained about long delays in deliver of equipment purchased in the U.S. (some orders have been outstanding for over a year),as well as long delays in obtaining repairs, because equipment had to be returned to the U.S. Cengiz believes that much &American8 equipment can be purchased from Turkish dealers, who are equipped to modify it for the local market, as well as to provide training and repairs. -------------- Customs -------------- ¶8. Starting in 1994 and continuing through 2002, the INCC program delivered to Customs equipment valued at some USD 562,000. The majority of this equipment consists of computer equipment delivered in 1995; the remainder consists of ion scanners, digital cameras, and night vision pocketscopes delivered in 2000-2002. No items were provided in 2003. On January 15, Econoff met with Remazan Ulus, Director of Intelligence, and two other Customs officials. Ulus reported that the ion scanners (which detect narcotics and explosives) and fiberscopes (for trafficking in persons) are very actively used, along the most important smuggling routes. Customs receives monthly reports from the field as to the results obtained with this equipment, which Ulus describe as &very good.8 Now that the Habur Gate entry to Iraq has become an important border route, Ulus believes it would be useful to install a scanner at that location, as it would expedite inspections. (Note: Expedited inspections might help ease the serious border delay problems that are being experienced at Habur Gate. End Note.) ¶9. Also useful was a 2000 study funded by INCC on the possible use of sniffer dogs. Based on that study, Customs has to date purchased 25 dogs, and plans to purchase 14 more by the end of 2005. Normally, it obtains dogs from TNP, but this year none were made available, so Customs will have to purchase them from commercial breeders (at a cost of USD 2-5,000 each). Ulus requested that Post assist in those purchases. ¶10. Ulus further noted that the computer equipment purchased in 1995 is used to track suspicious cargo in the Marmara Sea region. As an example of its utility, Ulus described a request recently received from Post to track a ship bearing a container, which the computers confirmed had previously been used to smuggle heroin. These computers are, however, nearing the end of their useful lives. -------------- Turkish National Police -------------- ¶11. Starting in 1986 and continuing through 2003, the INCC program provided TNP with equipment and training valued at over USD 1.2 million. In 2003, four videoscopes were delivered, of an aggregate value of approximately USD 123,000. On January 16, Econoff met with Senturk Demiral, Manager of the TNP Ankara Division Technical (i.e., equipment) Department. Demiral reported that the equipment furnished is essential to resolving particular types of cases. Many items are nearing the end of their useful lives and will be removed from service this year. The equipment with the highest utility is used in Istanbul and Izmir. Most useful are the above-mentioned videoscopes and a GPS tracking system, purchased in 2000. Nevertheless, the GPS equipment is not as useful as it might be, as it is not truly &mobile8 ) it draws power from a car battery, and has a large antennae. The equipment satisfies TNP,s current needs, and TNP has no need of additional equipment at this time. However, TNP does need funds for training on the latest investigative techniques, particularly with respect to tapping GSM phones. Mr. Demiral also delivered a message from his superiors that TNP will cooperate fully with U.S. law enforcement agencies with respect to information sharing. ¶12. On 27 January, Econoff and DEA agents met with Tufan Erguder, Chief of the Narcotics Division of the Istanbul Police Department. Erguder reported that there has been a substantial increase in seizures during the past year, which he attributed to operational improvements. Indeed, Erguder reported that, earlier that same day, the Istanbul police had seized one ton of heroin ) the largest such seizure in the history of Europe, he claimed. (DEA agents later advised Econoff that Erguder has completely reorganized the Narcotics Division and is a very effective manager.) Erguder reported that the Narcotics Division has need of a computer network; of vehicles appropriate to undercover work (i.e., that do not obviously look like unmarked police cars); and of training in the latest surveillance techniques, such as bugging GSM phone conversations and internet communications. Erguder confirmed some compatibility problems with equipment provided by the U.S., but described them as ¬ big.8 -------------- AMATEM -------------- ¶13. Amatem is a state-sponsored drug rehabilitation facility, located in Istanbul. It has 150 beds for in-patient treatment (averaging 3-5 weeks),and also provides out-patient therapy. In 2003, it treated 14,791 patients, with a professional staff consisting of 10 doctors, 6 psychologists, and 2 physical therapists. Starting in 1994 and continuing through 2003, the INCC program delivered to Amatem computer and communications equipment valued at some $86,000. In 2003, the INCC program provided Amatem with various items of computer hardware and software, and a telephone switchboard, having a total value of over $38,000. On January 26, 2004, Econoff met with Dr. Duran Cakmak, Amatem,s Director, and five other officials, to discuss the program and tour the facility. These officials reported that the equipment is being used for patient management and rehabilitation, and to establish a hotline, and that it has proven very useful. For the future, Amatem needs funds to update a study of drug use among high school students; to update its drug prevention program for high school students, teachers and doctors; and to provide its staff with additional professional training. DEUTSCH