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