TURKISH CUSTOMS ON WCO DEMARCHE, CSI, HABUR

UNCLAS ANKARA 003079 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EB/TRA/OTP, EUR/SE ROME FOR ICE ROBERT STIRITI PARIS FOR TSA DHS FOR CBP/CSI - TODD HORTON DEPT PASS TRANSPORTATION DEPT SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EWWT PTER ETRD EAIR TU IZ SUBJECT: TURKISH CUSTOMS ON WCO DEMARCHE, CSI, HABUR GATE, NEW AIR TRANSIT PASSENGER SYSTEM REF: STATE 94927 ¶1. (U) Econ Counselor and Econoff delivered reftel demarche urging Turkish support for the World Customs Organization (WCO) Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade to Acting Customs Undersecretary Riza Tuna Turagay on May 27. We also raised the Container Security Initiative (CSI),the Habur border crossing with Iraq and the new system for clearing international transit passengers through Turkish airports. ¶2. (U) WCO Framework: Turagay stated that the GOT supports the framework without reservation, but is interested in technical assistance to implement it. Econoff noted that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has seconded an officer to the WCO to help build capacity in developing countries on this project. ¶3. CSI: Turagay reported that Turkish agencies were still considering the legal agreement needed to implement the Container Security Initiative, and said he expected MFA to convey a proposal to the U.S. side within two to four weeks. He opined that the Turkish side would not offer CBP staff in Turkey diplomatic status. He also noted that the GOT might need U.S. assistance in obtaining X-ray equipment for the port of Izmir. ¶4. (SBU) Habur Gate: Turagay acknowledged that, while both the GOT and the GOI are interested in a second border crossing, they have not agreed on a location and routes for access roads. He noted that Customs staff discussed reconstruction of the existing crossing at Habur with the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) earlier on May 27. The project, which may last two months, is scheduled to begin soon. While the GOT would try to avoid construction-related delays at Habur during this period, Turagay said it was not clear how much impact the project would have on crossings, now numbering about 4,000 daily. ¶5. (SBU) Transit Passengers: The Acting U/S maintained that the recently-changed system for international air transit passengers, in which passengers clear passport control at the port of entry while clearing customs at the final destination, was not acceptable. He said it would be necessary to revert to a system of imposing both passport and customs controls at the port of entry, but with better preparation and interagency coordination, perhaps after the end of the summer tourist season. Edelman