Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ANKARA3369
2005-06-14 10:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

NO KNOWLEDGE OF NORTH KOREAN COUNTERFEITING IN

Tags:  KCRM EFIN KN TU 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 003369 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NKWG
TREASURY FOR ZARATE AND LEBENSON
JUSTICE FOR HAYDEN
BUCHAREST FOR SECRET SERVICE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/13/2009
TAGS: KCRM EFIN KN TU
SUBJECT: NO KNOWLEDGE OF NORTH KOREAN COUNTERFEITING IN
TURKEY

REF: SECSTATE 97058

Classified By: Economic Counselor Thomas C. Goldberger for reasons 1.4(
b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 003369

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NKWG
TREASURY FOR ZARATE AND LEBENSON
JUSTICE FOR HAYDEN
BUCHAREST FOR SECRET SERVICE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/13/2009
TAGS: KCRM EFIN KN TU
SUBJECT: NO KNOWLEDGE OF NORTH KOREAN COUNTERFEITING IN
TURKEY

REF: SECSTATE 97058

Classified By: Economic Counselor Thomas C. Goldberger for reasons 1.4(
b) and (d).

1.(C) Summary: Neither Police nor Central Bank officials had
any knowledge of North Korean-origin counterfeit currency or
were aware of the Interpol notice either. Both asked for
additional information in order to determine whether
counterfeit dollars found in Turkey are from North Korea.
Separately, there has been illegal activity by North Korean
diplomats in Turkey: two North Koreans accredited to Bulgaria
were caught in Istanbul in December with 700,000 amphetamine
tablets. End Summary.

No Knowledge of North Korean Counterfeiting in Turkey:
-------------- --------------


2. (C) Econoff and econ specialist met separately with
Central Bank and Turkish National Police officials
responsible for anti-counterfeiting. Neither had seen any
"supernotes" nor were aware of any North Korean
counterfeiting of U.S. or any other currency, nor had they
been informed of the Interpol orange notice. The Central
Bank officials showed examples of counterfeit one hundred
dollar notes made using silkscreen technology but they were
not aware of the origin of the notes. The officials
wondered why the company that produced the ink used by the
North Koreans could not identify the counterfeit notes
through a code used in the ink. Though there is a problem
with counterfeit dollars in Turkey, the Central Bank
officials say counterfeit Euros or other currencies are much
rarer. Econoff provided both the police and Central Bank
with the circular numbers from reftel. Both the Central
Bank and police officials asked for more information with
which to be able to determine whether counterfeits came from
North Korea.

Other Examples of Illegal Activity by North Korean Diplomats:
-------------- --------------


3. (SBU) On December 5, 2004 two North Korean diplomats,
Ryang Wae WON and Kim Song JIN, were caught in Istanbul with
700,000 amphetamine tablets in their possession. The two
diplomats, Ryang Thae WON and Kim Song JIM, were both
reportedly assigned to the Foreign Commercial Services
section of the North Korean Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria, where
WON is reportedly the Attach, while JIN is a secretary.
Although WON and JIN were not accredited to Turkey, they were
not prosecuted but were expelled.


4. (SBU) WON and JIN traveled from Bulgaria to Turkey, both
separately and together, on numerous occasions in 2004, using
the same diplomatic- plated vehicle in which they were
detained. Each trip was for a very short period of time,
usually only one day in duration. Turkish law enforcement
believes that they may have served as couriers on these
previous visits.
EDELMAN