Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ANKARA2049
2005-04-08 12:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

EXBS: TURKEY ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE

Tags:  ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM TU 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002049 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NP/ECC- PVANSON, ACHURCH, TGROEN
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE- DMARTING, DMCCORMICK
CBP/INA- PWALKER
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
(MARCH 2005)

REF: 2004 STATE 146478

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002049

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NP/ECC- PVANSON, ACHURCH, TGROEN
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE- DMARTING, DMCCORMICK
CBP/INA- PWALKER
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
(MARCH 2005)

REF: 2004 STATE 146478


1. Summary: EXBS Advisor conducted the second of three
annual program consultations in Washington DC, meeting with
stateside program coordinators of the projects being
conducted in Turkey, including the Internal Control Program,
Commodity Identification Training, Product Identification
Tool and other Non-proliferation programs. EXBS Advisor also
reviewed Turkey's participation in PSI activities and
discussed ways to maintain Turkey's engagement in this
initiative. Finally, EXBS Advisor continued negotiation of
the NP Cooperation Agreement, bringing this agreement to the
brink of completion.


2. Completed Actions for the Reporting Period


A. Site Assessment and Meetings During Recent
Reporting Period

1) March 4- EXBS Advisor met with MFA 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). EXBS Advisor also
discussed the status of the NP Cooperation Agreement, which
was being cleared by the various Ministries in the Turkish
Government. Ergen stated that all comments were due by this
date, but he was still missing one or two ministries.
Finally, EXBS Advisor discussed Turkey's involvement in PSI
and the Omaha PSI experts working group, to which Turkey sent
a significant delegation.

2) March 10- EXBS Advisor met with Undersecretariat
of Foreign Trade (UFT) Agreement Department Head Fail Kural
to review the progress of the ICP project and provide UFT
with the latest version of the ICP software. Kural informed
EXBS Advisor that UFT has selected a contractor, Havelsan
Company, to perform the needed customization of the software.
The contractor's name and contact information has been
forwarded to DOC contractor to begin coordination of specific
job elements. A follow on meeting between UFT, Havelsan and

EXBS Advisor was scheduled for early April to establish
milestones for the project.

3) March 16- EXBS Advisor met with Department Heads
for Customs Enforcement Mehmet Guzel and Ender Gurleyik to
review EXBS program work with the Turkish Customs, including
CIT, PIT, and Risk Management Workshop. Gurleyik informed
EXBS Advisor about recent Customs exchanges with Germany and
the British Customs Authority, these exchanges include the
sharing of information, training and best practices
concerning operations within Customs areas. EXBS Advisor
utilized the Export Control System questionnaire as a guide
to a question and answer discussion to develop a standard
understanding of the current system and challenges that exist
within Turkish Customs Areas of responsibility concerning NP
issues. Additionally, Guzel and Gurleyik reviewed recent
cases and the status of plans to upgrade the Habur Gate
Border crossing with Iraq.

4) March 18- EXBS Advisor met with MFA Arms Control
and Disarmament Head of Department Sabri Ergen in advance of
Washington consultations. EXBS Advisor confirmed upcoming
CIT refresher training and reviewed status of the ICP
project. Ergen informed EXBS Advisor that the NP Cooperation
Agreement has been approved by the various Ministries in the
Turkish Government, now MFA was conducting a preview of
Parliament to ensure that there would not be any difficulties
in getting the agreement passed after signature. MFA is also
preparing a Turkish version of the Agreement which should be
ready in early April. Finally, EXBS Advisor discussed
Turkey's involvement in PSI and the next PSI experts working
group. Ergen informed EXBS Advisor that Turkey is prepared to
offer a PSI exercise in the Mediterranean in spring 2006.
(Note: At the Omaha meeting, Turkey offered to host a
ground/sea/air exercise in May 2006).

5) March 23-25- EXBS Advisor conducted program
consultations in Washington DC with representatives from
NP/ECC, NP/PPC, NP/PTR, DOE/INECP, DOHS/CBP, DOC/OIP,
Commonwealth Trading Partners and the Wisconsin Reporting
Group. EXBS Advisor provided current updates on all projects
underway in Turkey, along with planning for future
activities. NP/ECC also outline upcoming changes in the EXBS
program and the potential effects that could be a result of
these changes. The Turkey program appears to be on track and
moving in the correct direction.


B. Training Conducted During Reporting Period: None.


C. Equipment Delivered During Reporting Period: None


D. Imminent Training or Equipment Status Update:

1) Apr 18-22- DOE NNSA will conduct a CIT Refresher
course for members of the Turkish CIT Core Group, members of
the Turkish Customs service and Turkish Atomic Energy
Authority that are developing the training plan for Turkey.


E. Significant Developments in Export Controls,
Nonproliferation, or Related Border Security:

1) GOT continued interagency coordination of the NP
Cooperation Agreement. No objections have been raised to the
latest US draft that was delivered the end of February,
although the GOT wants to add one word to the list of items
the US may provide, which we do not anticipate being a
problem. A signing ceremony for the NP Agreement could occur
as early as this spring with ratification by the Turkish
Parliament by the end of the summer.


3. Future Activities


A. Apr 18- 22- DOE NNSA to conduct CIT Refresher
Course and project review.


B. 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