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