UPDATE: U.S. PROPOSAL TO ANALYZE LEU SEIZED IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 007157 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR ISN/PTR MICHAEL CURRY E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2015 TAGS: AU KNNP PARM RS TU SUBJECT: UPDATE: U.S. PROPOSAL TO ANALYZE LEU SEIZED IN ISTANBUL REF: A. STATE 181017 ¶B. ANKARA 6248 ¶C. ANKARA 6258 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Nancy McEldowney, reason 1.4 b/d . ¶1. (U) This is an Action Cable. See para 7. ¶2. (C) Summary: The Government of Turkey is still willing to support and is awaiting further information concerning a possible visit by 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. However, Turkish law precludes the providing of a sample of the uranium powder for joint analysis until the legal proceedings against the accused have been completed. End Summary. ¶3. (C) This cable is an update to information previously reported concerning the joint analysis of uranium powder that was seized during a Turkish National Police sting operation in Istanbul in August 2005 (ref c). ¶4. (C) MFA Arms Control and Disarmament First Secretary Guven Begec on 23 November told EXBS Advisor that since charges had already been filed against the accused and that the uranium powder has been listed as evidence in the case, it is against Turkish law to remove any of the powder. Begec added that it may be possible to provide a sample of the powder to the U.S. for testing following the completion of the legal process. (Comment: EXBS Advisor requested information concerning the court and trial dates, which should allow Post to follow the court proceedings.) ¶5. (U) We confirmed the information concerning criminal evidence with a contact at the Ministry of Justice. This source said that once charges have been filed and evidence has been listed, there are only rare cases when the evidence listed can be changed without itbeing considered evidence tampering and therefore harmful to the prosecution's case. ¶6. (U) EXBS Advisor during a meeting with Turkish Atomic Energy Authority Safety Department Head, Aysel Yucel was questioned concerning the possible visit by a U.S. expert team to review the Turkish tests and other evidence. EXBS Advisor responded that the U.S. is determining the best time frame to propose a visit and should have possible dates soon. ¶7. (C) Action Request: Embassy requests update on possible visit of U.S. experts to review completed Turkish tests. ¶8. (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. WILSON