AGREEMENT FOR COOPERATION CONCERNING PEACEFUL USES

UNCLAS ANKARA 002397 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG KNNP TRGY TU SUBJECT: AGREEMENT FOR COOPERATION CONCERNING PEACEFUL USES OF NUCLEAR ENERGY AND THE RETURN OF FUEL RODS REF: A. STATE 270743 ¶B. ANKARA 775 ¶1. This is an Action Cable. See para 6. ¶2. Summary: The Government of Turkey completed the ratification process by the Turkish Grand National Assembly for the Agreement for Cooperation between the Republic of Turkey and the United State of America concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy. Post received a request to find out the status of the United States ratification of the Agreement. A lack of ratification by the United States could have a negative effect on exchange of nuclear information and potential cooperation on development of Turkey's Nuclear Power plants but -most importantly- it could impede desired return of Highly Enriched Uranium Fuel (HEU) assemblies to the U.S. from Turkey. End Summary. ¶3. Post received a Diplomatic Note announcing Turkish Grand National Assembly ratification of the Agreement for Cooperation between the Republic of Turkey and the United State of America concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy on January 14, 2005. This Agreement has also been published in the Turkish Official Gazette as required by Turkish law. ¶4. In a April 22 meeting with EXBS Advisor, the President of the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK),Okay Cakiroglu, stated that Turkey was willing to carry out the planned exchange of the Highly Enriched Uranium fuel assemblies at the Cekmece Nuclear Reactor for new Low Enriched Uranium fuel assemblies, as requested by the United States earlier this year (reftels). However, Cakiroglu pointed out that an important part of this exchange was that Turkey would receive the replacement fuel assemblies. In his view this would not be possible absent United States ratification of the Agreement concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, which would allow the transfer of these fuel assemblies to Turkey. Without the replacement fuel assemblies, Turkey is unwilling to transfer the HEU fuel assemblies, since it would not be able to operate their research reactor. ¶5. Cakiroglu also informed EXBS Advisor that Turkey still plans to construct several nuclear power plants. GOT has conducted preliminary discussions with several companies in various countries. Cakiroglu believes that the ideas and technology presented by Westinghouse would best fit the needs of Turkey. Again, however, in the absence of a ratified agreement, Cakiroglu believes that the GOT would not be able to consider Westinghouse or any other U.S. company for their nuclear power plants. ¶6. Action: Post requests the status of the ratification process for the Agreement for Cooperation between the Republic of Turkey and the United State of America concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy. Post also requests information on expected timing for ratification. ¶7. Comment: Turkey, although very reluctant at first, has done everything required for an early return of the HEU fuel rods as requested by the United States earlier this year. Ironically, United States inaction to date on this Agreement may now delay this sought after exchange. Further delay in ratification of this Agreement could affect not only the future return of this fuel source, but also U.S. commercial involvement in Turkey's potential nuclear program. While recognizing that Turkey's prospective program may face financial difficulties, we would like to be responsive to Turkey's desire for exploring U.S. technology. EDELMAN