PSI: TURKEY FORMS INTERMINISTERIAL COORDINATION

UNCLAS ANKARA 002674 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL TU SUBJECT: PSI: TURKEY FORMS INTERMINISTERIAL COORDINATION GROUP ¶1. (SBU) Osman Yavuzalp, Head of Department MFA Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs, on May 6 informed EXBS Advisor that the previous day the GOT held their first Interministerial Coordination Meeting to discuss Turkish participation in PSI and what steps Turkey will take in promoting PSI. The meeting was chaired by DDG for Arms Control Bulent Meric and BG Haldun Solmazturk, Department of Disarmament and International Security, Turkish General Staff(J5),and included representatives from MFA, the Turkish General Staff, Turkish Customs and other ministries. . ¶2. (SBU) Topics discussed during the afternoon long meeting included: ¶A. Establishment of smaller working groups to better concentrate on the various parts of PSI; maritime, land and air. ¶B. A detailed discussion of proposed and actual participation in the upcoming Spanish PSI exercise. ¶C. The basic scenarios that will form the Turkish led exercise next year, and the goal to have the basic scenarios outlined so that they can present the information at the next Operational Experts Meeting in Copenhagen in July. ¶D. Marking of the Second Anniversary of the announcement of the Proliferation Security Initiative. ¶3. (SBU) Yavuzalp informed EXBS Advisor that this group will most likely begin monthly meetings starting in June. The goal of the group is to increase PSI-like activities being conducted by Turkey within this region. ¶4. (SBU) Comment: Bringing together the many parts of the Turkish government that could be involved in PSI like activities, shows the new commitment that Turkey has in support of PSI and in their desires to be a leader in the region. We will continue to encourage this positive GOT attitude. End Comment. EDELMAN