EXBS: TURKEY ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 001205 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NP/ECC- PVANSON, ACHURCH, TGROEN DEPT FOR EUR/ACE- DMARTING, DMCCORMICK CBP/INA- PWALKER USDOE/NNSA FOR TPERRY DOC FOR PETERSON-BEARD USCG FOR BGOLDEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM TU SUBJECT: EXBS: TURKEY ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE (FEBRUARY 2005) REF: A. STATE 146478 ¶B. ANKARA 810 (NOTAL) ¶1. Summary: EXBS advisor's primary focus this month was on the two Department of Commerce (DOC) sponsored projects, Internal Control Program (ICP) and Product Identification Tool (PIT) along with coordinating the participation of Turkish delegations in PSI events. EXBS Advisor was able to utilize the visit of DOC contractors for the PIT presentation to also meet with GOT representatives working on the ICP project. These meetings greatly assisted in moving the ICP project to a decision level within the GOT. EXBS Advisor's work on PSI issues included the delivery of exercise information, participation in meetings with senior MFA and Turkish General Staff officials and coordination of support in preparation of a high level delegation to travel to the next Operational Experts Group meeting. Finally, EXBS advisor continued negotiation of the NP Cooperation Agreement, brokering potential wordings between Ankara and Washington to complete the final draft. ¶2. Completed Actions for the Reporting Period ¶A. Site Assessment and Meetings During Recent Reporting Period 1) February 1- EXBS Adviser participated in the PIT introductory meetings and presentations to members of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Customs and Foreign Trade. These meetings included demonstration of the features of the tool, customization methodology and project plan. EXBS Advisor presented a briefing on how PIT can assist in facilitating the interaction between customs inspectors, customs command center/headquarters and licensing authorities. 2) February 2- EXBS Adviser participated in the second day of PIT presentations at Turkish Customs. These meetings dealt more with the development and customizations of the PIT to meet Turkish needs. GOT officials expressed interest in a server based version that could be integrated into their existing computer system. Turkish Customs requested additional time to review the prototype PIT software brought by the DOC contractor and to make a final decision on whether to proceed with the project by the end of the month. EXBS Advisor participated in meetings with DOC contractors and UFT to review the status of the ICP project. UFT organized a question and answer session for potential sub-contractors that are being considered for the Turkish customization of the ICP. During this session representatives discussed the project plan, role of the sub-contractor, reporting requirements and other details of the project. At the conclusion of the meeting, each sub-contractor candidate was allowed time to determine their capabilities to fulfill the requirements. UFT expects to have a decision on the sub-contractor by the end of the month. 3) February 4- EXBS Adviser met with Arms Control and Disarmament Head of Department Sabri Ergen to conduct monthly update meeting on all current projects in progress in Turkey, including Internal Control Program (ICP),Commodity Identification Training (CIT),Product Identification Tool and Second Line of Defense (SLD). Ergen also provided EXBS Advisor with the latest Turkish comments concerning the NP Cooperation Agreement. These comments were reported to Washington for consideration. Finally, EXBS Advisor discussed Turkey's involvement in PSI and the next PSI experts working group, in which Turkey is considering sending a significant delegation. 4) February 8- EXBS Advisor met with Department Heads for Customs Enforcement Mehmet Guzel and Ender Gurleyik to reviewed the status of CIT and the PIT project. EXBS Advisor explained the need to complete the first draft of the CIT training plan prior to the next CIT event in April. This will allow a full review of the plan prior to the DOE team visit, for incorporation into future activities. EXBS Advisor also expressed desire to accompany any upcoming Customs officials' visits to the border areas of Turkey. 5) February 11- EXBS Advisor met with MFA Energy Department First Secretary Basak Tug to discuss the status of truck detected to be carrying nuclear material at the Turkish/Georgian border. The material was located by the U.S. provided portal monitors that were installed at the border crossing facility. Information on this meeting was reported in ref b. 6) February 23- EXBS Advisor participated in a meetings with BG Haldun Solmazturk, Department of Disarmament and International Security, Turkish General Staff Headquarters. The meeting included a discussion of Turkey's participation in PSI, specifically the upcoming Operational Experts Group and exercises sponsored by Spain and Portugal. Solmazturk stated that Turkey is considering in hosting an exercise in 2006 that will most likely occur in the Med. 7) February 24- EXBS Advisor met with MFA DDG for Arms Control and Disarmament Bulent Meric. EXBS Advisor discussed Turkey's participation in the PSI, specifically the next PSI experts working group and upcoming exercises in Portugal and Spain. Meric stated that Turkey intended to send an observer to the Portuguese exercise and actual assets to the Spanish exercise, and was still considering hosting a 2006 PSI exercise. Finally, Meric provided an update on the status of the NP Cooperation Agreement, stating that the Agreement is currently receiving inter-ministerial review which should be completed by early March; if there are no objections, steps can be taken to officially sign the agreement and seek parliamentary approval. ¶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) GOT submitted a reply to the United States comments concerning the NP Cooperation Agreement. The United States quickly reviewed these comments and provided GOT the latest approved update on the NP Cooperation Agreement. It is believed that if these comments can be accepted as written, a signing ceremony for the Agreement could occur this spring with ratification by the Turkish Parliament by the end of summer. 2) GOT stated that it would be improper to take any further steps in the Second Line of Defense project until the official signing of the NP Cooperation Agreement. Following the signing of the Agreement, a review of the appropriate actions under this project will be reviewed to ensure that actions taken will not violate parliament's prerogatives before it ratifies the agreement. All visits by SLD personnel should be postponed at least until the signing of the Agreement. ¶3. Future Activities ¶A. Mar 21- Apr 5, 2005 - EXBS Advisor to conduct program consultations in Washington DC. and leave. ¶B. Apr 18- 22 - DOE NNSA to conduct CIT Refresher Course and project review. ¶C. May 23- 27 (tent)- DOE NNSA to conduct CIT Instructor Training. ¶4. Red Flag Issues- None ¶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