Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
05ANKARA2579 | 2005-05-05 11:52:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Ankara |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. 051152Z May 05 |
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002579 |
1. Summary: Last month, EXBS Advisor primarily focused on the status and direction of the Commodity Identification Training (CIT), which was scheduled to take place in April, but was eventually postponed to a later date. EXBS Advisor worked closely with MFA, Customs and Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK) on the decision to postpone due to schedule conflicts and lack of milestone accomplishment. EXBS Advisor continued to encourage Turkish full participation in PSI activities and other non-proliferation programs. Finally, EXBS Advisor concluded negotiation of the NP Cooperation Agreement and began preparing for upcoming signing of the Agreement. End Summary. 2. Completed Actions for the Reporting Period A. Site Assessment and Meetings During Recent Reporting Period: 1) April 6- EXBS Advisor participated in a meetings with BG Haldun Solmazturk, Department of Disarmament and International Security, Turkish General Staff Headquarters to hear Turkey's impression of the latest PSI Operational Experts Group meeting. Solmazturk said that he was very impressed with the coordination and information exchanged during the experts meetings. The meeting cleared up the last questions the Turks had about the initiative. Ankara is now fully committed to PSI. Solmazturk informed EmbOffs that, while Turkey did offer assets for the upcoming Spanish PSI exercise, the current exercise scenario does not require their participation. Although Turkey now will not be actively participating in either the Portuguese or Spanish led PSI field exercises this spring, they do intend to send observer teams to both and to participate in the table-top command post component of the Spanish exercise. Solmazturk stated that Turkey committed in Omaha to hosting a PSI exercise in May 2006. This exercise will be a multi-mission exercise focusing on coordinating activities between land, sea, air, intelligence and command and control. Solmazturk believes that this would be an excellent way to test the passing of information from the various activities, while also displaying the need for close coordination between the forces involved. 2) April 18- EXBS Advisor met with MFA DDG for Arms Control and Disarmament Bulent Meric to discuss various non-proliferation issues and deliver appropriate talking points. Meric presented EXBS Advisor a Turkish translation of the latest NP Cooperation Agreement, which was subsequently forwarded for approval. Meric also commented on the refocusing of the CIT project and his desire for the EXBS Advisor to work closely with members of the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK) and Turkish Customs to ensure the project continues to move forward. Also discussed was Turkey's involvement in PSI, including Turkey's significant involvement at the Omaha PSI experts working group, its proposal to host a major exercise in May 2006, and possible ways to mark the upcoming 2nd anniversary. 3) April 22- EXBS Advisor met with President of Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK), Okay Cakiroglu, and staff to discuss various issues. EXBS Advisor expressed his concern that there was confusion in the direction of the CIT project. He provided a detail explanation of the project and how it fits into the overall NP program for Turkey. He also reviewed the work accomplished by Turkish Customs and the work that needs to be completed by TAEK. An appropriate course of action was agreed on, with follow-on meetings to occur in the upcoming weeks. EXBS Advisor also discussed the exchange of HEU for LEU fuel assemblies and the expected postponement of the transfer due to a hold up on the Bilateral Agreement for Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy. Finally, EXBS Adviser presented Department of Energy proposal to begin a process of bilateral cooperation for Threat Reduction within this region. It was decided that both sides would begin by developing possible ideas for future cooperation, this will be followed up by future discussions by DOE representatives. 4) April 26- EXBS Advisor met with TAEK Department Head for Nuclear Safety, Aysen Yucel, and staff to discuss the CIT project. EXBS Advisor reviewed in further details the project and milestones that need to be achieved for each step. He reviewed the work already accomplished by the Turkish Customs authority and discussed where TAEK fits into the project and needs to take the lead at this point. Meetings will be conducted more frequently to keep this project on course. 5) April 27- EXBS Advisor met with Department Head for Customs Enforcement Ender Gurleyik to review EXBS program work with the Turkish Customs, including CIT, PIT, and Risk Management Workshop. Gurleyik updated EXBS Advisor about recent international cooperation with Azerbaijan and the EU; these exchanges include the sharing of information, training and best practices concerning operations within Customs areas. EXBS Advisor reviewed areas of possible future cooperation including training exchanges and Turkish Customs equipment shortfalls. EXBS Advisor proposed possible visits to various border regions over the upcoming months to increase understanding of operations, specifically in the southern and eastern regions. Additionally, Gurleyik reviewed recent cases and the status of a project to upgrade the Habur Gate Border crossing with Iraq, which should begin soon, he said. 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 provided final comments and a Turkish language version of the NP Cooperation Agreement. Post provided NP with texts and now informally understands that the U.S. will agree to this final version and authorized the signing of the Agreement. This agreement will open the path for full engagement of all aspects of the EXBS program with Turkey. A signing ceremony for the NP Agreement is being considered for the end of May to coincide with the Second Anniversary of PSI, followed by ratification by the Turkish Parliament by the end of the summer. 3. Future Activities A. May 19 - 22- EXBS Advisor to visit selected Border Crossing between Syria and Turkey. B. May 31 - Jun 3- EXBS Advisor to attend EXBS Advisors conference in Vienna, Austria. C. Jun 8-9 (tent)- DOE NNSA to conduct CIT Project Review. D. Jun 13-17 (tent)- DOE SLD Team to conduct coordination meeting with Turkish Customs. E. Jun 23-26- EXBS Advisor to visit selected Border Crossing between Iran and Turkey 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 |