REPLY TO PROPOSAL TO ANALYZE LEU SEIZED IN ISTANBUL

S E C R E T ANKARA 006258 SIPDIS DEPT FOR ISN/PTR MICHAEL CURRY E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2015 TAGS: AU KNNP PARM RS TU SUBJECT: REPLY TO PROPOSAL TO ANALYZE LEU SEIZED IN ISTANBUL REF: A. STATE 181017 ¶B. ANKARA 6248 Classified By: Acting Pol-Mil Counselor Margaret Nardi, reason 1.4 b/d. ¶1. (C) Summary: The Government of Turkey is willing to support a visit of U.S. experts to review previous tests conducted by the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority and other evidence seized in a police sting operation in Istanbul. Turkey is also conceptually willing to participate in the joint forensic analysis of the uranium powder. However, before a sample can be provided to the United States for testing, concerns about the legal aspects of providing evidence in an active Turkish judicial case must be answered. Once these issue are resolved, a transfer of a small quantity of the uranium powder to the U.S. should be possible. End Summary. ¶2. (S) U/S Joseph, during his recent visit to Ankara (ref b), informed Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK) President Okay Cakiroglu of the U.S.'s desire to participate in joint forensic testing of uranium powder seized in an August 18 police sting operation in Istanbul. Cakiroglu stated that Turkey has followed all steps to properly report the seizure to IAEA and protect the uranium powder. TAEK is willing to allow U.S. experts to come to Turkey to review the tests that have been conducted and also to participate with Turkish experts in additional testing. Cakiroglu supports sharing a sample of the powder with the U.S. for additional testing as long as it is done in compliance with all IAEA procedures. ¶3. (C) Acting Pol-Mil Counselor and EXBS Advisor met with MFA Head of Department for Arms Control and Disarmament Osman Yavuzalp on October 6 to discuss the U.S. desire for joint forensic testing of the uranium. Yavuzalp stated that the GOT would support a visit of U.S. experts to review the tests conducted by TAEK and to inspect the items that were seized during the arrest. Yavuzalp added that while he believes that GOT would also support a joint analysis, the uranium powder is currently part of the evidence of a crime and thus coordination with the prosecutor's office must be accomplished to determine if some of the powder could be released for testing. Yavuzalp also re-enforced the need to follow established international procedures for the transfer of the powder to the U.S. for testing. Finally, Yavuzalp requested more information on the amount of powder needed for testing and the time frame in which the U.S. would like to make this transfer. ¶4. (C) EXBS Advisor informed Yavuzalp, on October 13, that the amount of uranium powder needed for testing is approximately one gram and reinforced with Yavuzalp that all appropriate IAEA steps would be followed to properly document this transfer. Yavuzalp appreciated the additional information and stated this would be useful in the coordination between MFA, TAEK and the prosecutor's office in preparation of a response to the U.S. proposal. ¶5. (U) Questions concerning this issue should be addressed to the Turkish EXBS Advisor, Kevin Lyon. His contact information is phone (90)(312)455-5555 ext 2525, fax (90)(312)468-4775, email LyonK@state.gov. MCELDOWNEY