EXBS; TURKEY ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000778

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR N/ECC- PVANSON, ACHURCH, TGROEN
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE- DMARTING, DMCCORMICK
CBP/INA FOR PWALKER
USDOE/NNSA FOR TPERRY
DOC FOR PETERSON-BEARD
ISCG FOR GOLDEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM TU
SUBJECT: EXBS; TURKEY ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE
(JANUARY 2005)

REF: A. STATE 146478

B. ANKARA 775 (NOTAL)


1. Summary: EXBS advisor's primary focus this month was
on two significant events, DOS/DOE meeting with GOT officials
concerning the proposed plan for the early return of spent
HEU fuel rods to the United States and coordination of the
DOC team to propose the Product Identification Tool (PIT)
project to GOT official. EXBS Advisor also continued to
promote PSI and encouraged Turkey's active participation,
including Operational Expert Group meetings and exercises.
Finally, EXBS advisor continued negotiation of the NP
Cooperation Agreement, while working to ensure other
nonproliferation activities continue to progress.


2. Completed Actions for the Reporting Period


A. Site Assessment and Meetings During Recent Reporting
Period

1) January 10- EXBS advisor met with MFA Nuclear Energy
Head of Department Basak Tug. EXBS advisor reviewed the
proposed visit of combined DOS and DOE team that arrived
January 14 (see below). The goal of the team was to begin
coordinating the return of spent nuclear fuel rods from
Turkey to the United States. EXBS adviser was able to
arrange meetings with senior Turkish Atomic Energy Authority
(TAEK) members as well as a visit to the Cekmece Nuclear
Research Reactor.

Following the meeting with Tug, EXBS Adviser met with Arms
Control and Disarmament Head of Department Sabri Ergen. EXBS
Adviser delivered talking points concerning Turkey's upcoming
participation in PSI activities, including Operations Experts
Group and Turkey's consideration to host a 2006 PSI exercise.
EXBS Advisor also review upcoming PIT team visit and the
pending NP Cooperation Agreement.

2) January 12- 13- EXBS Adviser served as a member of the
Embassy team during visit to Turkey/Iraq Habur Gate border
crossing. The Embassy team participated in the weekly
US/Turkey/Iraq border meeting, with the main topics of
concern being the large truck backlog at the border crossing
and the safety of the trucks and drivers. Various options
were discussed and will be reviewed by each country.

Following the meeting, EXBS Adviser met with Turkish Custom's
Habur Regional Director Rusten Danis. Danis explained
current operations, reviewed future improvements to the
border crossing and proposed improvements to the processing
of vehicles. EXBS Adviser then conducted a detailed walk
through of the border crossing operations. This review
included tracking a truck from entering the border crossing,
inspection procedures and then clearing of the truck to
proceed. Both traffic leaving and entering Turkey were
viewed.

3) January 14- EXBS Adviser coordinated and was part
of a DOS/DOE visit to TAEK to discuss the United States
Foreign Research Reactor Spent Nuclear Fuel Acceptance
Program and propose that Turkey participate in the next
upcoming shipment later this year. Meetings were held with
TAEK President Mr. Okay Cakiroglu, Cekmece Reactor Director
Dr. Sevket Can and Reactor Department Head Dr. Sinan Taylan.
Turkey agreed in principle to participate in the shipment but
noted that specific considerations would have to be made to
ensure the Cekmece Reactor would remain operational. Ref B
is a detailed report of these meetings and the visit to the
Cekmece Research Reactor.

4) January 17- EXBS Adviser participated in the visit and
discussions at the Cekmece Research Reactor. The DOS/DOE
team was initially provided a detailed tour of the reactor
and the facilities. Following the tour, EXBS Adviser
participated in discussion concerning the contract for
return, policy issues and the availability of replacement
fuel for the reactor.

5) January 26- EXBS Adviser met with MFA Arms Control and
Disarmament Head of Department Sabri Ergen to conduct
monthly update meeting on all current projects in progress in
Turkey, including Internal Control Program (ICP),Commodity
Identification Training (CIT) and Second Line of Defense
(SLD). EXBS Advisor also finalized the agenda for the
upcoming Product Identification Tool (PIT) project meetings
that would be held the following week. Finally, EXBS Advisor
led a general discussion concerning the NP Cooperation
Agreement and Turkey's participation in the next PSI experts
working group and upcoming exercises in Portugal and Spain,
providing updated information on each exercise. Ergen stated
that Turkey intended to participate in both exercises and was
still considering hosting a 2006 PSI exercise.

EXBS Advisor met with Department Head for Customs Enforcement
Mehmet Guzel to review the proposed Risk Management Workshop
for Turkish Customs officials. Following the review it was
agreed that GOT would most benefit from two workshops for
different segments of the Customs Ministry and other GOT
personnel. EXBS advisor also reviewed the status of other
projects, including CIT and the upcoming PIT project.
Additionally, EXBS Adviser was briefed by Guzel on current
operations in both the &Green Zone8 between customs posts
and the border in general, and specifically at the border
crossing with Iraq at Habur Gate.

6) January 28- EXBS Advisor met with Undersecretariat of
Foreign Trade Agreement Department Head Fail Kural to review
the progress of the ICP project. Kural informed EXBS Advisor
that there has been a significant change in personal with in
the department and the ICP has not progressed as hoped. EXBS
Advisor informed Kural of the upcoming visit of the DOC
contractor to Turkey and coordinated a meeting with Kural and
other relevant UFT personnel to discuss the project in hopes
of getting it back on track.

EXBS Advisor met with Department Head for Customs Enforcement
Ender Gurleyik to discuss recent visit to the Habur Gate
border crossing and other significant customs activities.
EXBS Advisor also discussed possible equipment shortfalls
that Turkish customs may be experiencing that could be
addressed following the approval of the NP Cooperation
Agreement.

EXBS Advisor then met with General Directorate of Customs
Department Head for Export Controls Abdurrahman Demir to
discuss the upcoming PIT team visit. EXBS Advisor explained
the project and scheduled a detailed meeting and
demonstration of the PIT with Demir and other technical
experts from the Undersecretariat of Customs for the
following week. Demir also provided EXBS Advisor with a
status report on the CIT project, explaining that GOT is
behind the desired schedule but making progress. He added
that a draft training plan should be completed by mid to late
February when more active coordination with TAEK should
occur. EXBS Advisor again offered support to the development
of the plan or in coordinating with TAEK.


B. Training Conducted During Reporting Period: None.


C. Equipment Delivered During Reporting Period: None


D. Imminent Training or Equipment Status Update: None


E. Significant Developments in Export Controls,
Nonproliferation, or Related Border Security

1) The United States provided GOT in December the latest
approved update on the NP Cooperation Agreement. (Note: GOT
reply was received on February 4 and forwarded for comment.)



3. Future Activities


A. Feb 1-3 - DOC team scheduled to visit Ankara to
introduce the Product Identification Tool to members of the
Turkish government. This tool can improve the resources
available to Turkish Customs official at the border
processing locations.


B. Mar 14-17- EXBS Advisor to attend EXBS Statement of
Work/Procurement Workshop in Baku, Azerbaijan.


C. Mar 21- Apr 5, 2005 - EXBS Advisor to conduct program
consultations in Washington DC. and leave.


D. Apr 11- 15 (tent)- DOE NNSA to conduct CIT
Refresher Course and project review.


E. May 16- 20 (tent)- DOE NNSA to conduct CIT
Instructor Training

4. Red Flag Issues- None


5. Contact Information for EXBS Adviser ) Kevin Lyon,
phone (90)(312) 455-5555 ext 2525, fax (90)(312) 468-4775,
email LyonK@state.gov.


EDELMAN