Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ANKARA4841
2005-08-17 15:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

NUCLEAR SMUGGLING IN TURKEY: ALLEGED URANIUM

Tags:  ASEC KCRM KNNP MNUC PARM PTER TU 
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171514Z Aug 05
UNCLAS ANKARA 004841 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC KCRM KNNP MNUC PARM PTER TU
SUBJECT: NUCLEAR SMUGGLING IN TURKEY: ALLEGED URANIUM
OFFERED FOR SALE IN ISTANBUL

REF: 2004 STATE 235088

UNCLAS ANKARA 004841

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC KCRM KNNP MNUC PARM PTER TU
SUBJECT: NUCLEAR SMUGGLING IN TURKEY: ALLEGED URANIUM
OFFERED FOR SALE IN ISTANBUL

REF: 2004 STATE 235088


1. Summary: On August 16 and 17, 2005, Turkish press
reported the arrest of 2 individuals suspected of attempting
to sell enriched uranium. EXBS Advisor made contact with MFA
and Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK) representatives to
confirm the media reports. Both MFA and TAEK have offered to
provide summaries of their findings as they become available.
Post will continue to investigate this matter and report our
findings. End Summary.


2. On August 16 and 17, 2005, Turkish press reported the
arrest of 2 individuals suspected of attempting to sell
enriched uranium. Following is a summary of the information
reported by the Anatolian News Agency, the source for all
other news reports we have seen:

-- Two people were arrested on charges of attempting to sell
173 grams of enriched uranium brought to Turkey from the
Russian Federation. The two individuals are Turkish
citizens. The estimated value of the uranium is $7 million.

-- Suspects were caught while trying to sell 173 grams of
uranium in the Harem district of Istanbul to policemen, who
posed as buyers.

-- Police officers stated that 173 grams of uranium was
enough to meet the electricity needs of New York City for 1
year.

-- According to the press reports, TAEK Cekmece Nuclear
Research and Training Center examined the uranium and
concluded that the mentioned uranium contained 17% of U-235
enrichment, the rest was composed of U-238 with a low amount
of impurities.


3. EXBS Advisor contacted both MFA and TAEK to gather
additional information about the incident and the uranium.
MFA is investigating the reports further. TAEK confirmed
that:

-- The seized material has been analyzed by the Cekmece
Nuclear Research and Training Center.

-- It was determined that the material is 173 grams of
uranium oxide powder that contains U-235 isotope with a 17%
enrichment ratio.

-- The estimated value of the uranium powder is $1,500.

-- The powder is being held at the Cekmece Center awaiting
further instruction.

Both MFA and TAEK agreed to provide additional information as
it becomes available.


4. Post will continue to follow this incident and will
provide updates as new information becomes available. Point
of contact for information is EXBS Advisor Kevin Lyon, tel
90-312-455-5555, email lyonk@state.gov (unclas),
lyonkm@state.sgov.gov (clas).

MCELDOWNEY