EXBS: TURKEY ADVISORS MONTHLY REPORT- (FEBRUARY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 001257 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR NP/ECC- PVANSON, ACHURCH, JHARTSHORN DEPT FOR EUR/ACE- DSILLIMAN, SYOUNTCHI DOE/NNSA- TPERRY, LPARKER, EDESCHLER CBP/INA- PWALKER, JGOUGE DOC FOR PETERSON-BEARD USCG FOR CWILSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM TU SUBJECT: EXBS: TURKEY ADVISORS MONTHLY REPORT- (FEBRUARY 2006) REF: A. 2004 STATE 146478 ¶B. ANKARA 972 ¶1. Summary: EXBS Advisor coordinated and participated in meetings for a multi-agency team, led by US Ambassador to UNVIE, which came to Turkey to brief Turkish officials on the Iranian nuclear program. He continued to promote action on several projects -- (Internal Control Project (ICP), Product Identification Tool (PIT) and Commodity Identification Training (CIT)-- that are proceeding in Turkey even without a ratified NP Cooperation Agreement. EXBS Advisor coordinated information flow between Turkey and the United States concerning PSI activities and US participation in Turkey's May 2006 exercise. Finally, EXBS Advisor was informed that revised NP Agreement has been forwarded to Turkish Parliament for ratification. End Summary. ¶2. Completed Actions for the Reporting Period ¶A. Site Assessment and Meetings During Recent Reporting Period 1) February 3- EXBS Advisor held monthly update meeting with MFA First Secretary for Arms Control and Disarmament Guven Begec to discuss current projects in Turkey, including Internal Control Program (ICP),Commodity Identification Training (CIT),Product Identification Tool (PIT) and Second Line of Defense (SLD). EXBS Advisor confirmed the Feb 13 visit by ICP and PIT project coordinator, Commonwealth Trading Partners (CTP) representative. Meetings are scheduled with Customs and UFT personnel. This one day visit will include information sharing and a meeting with the contractor being considered to work on the customization of both projects. Begec welcomed the visit as a way to move the projects forward. 2) February 6- EXBS Advisor participated in meetings held between Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Attach, DHS CSI representatives and senior Turkish Customs officials concerning the Container Security Initiative (CSI) and the inclusion of the Port of Izmir in the program. The meetings discussed program implementation, the need for an approved implementation agreement and equipment and information exchanges. Following the CSI discussions, EXBS Advisor met with Department Head for Export Controls, General Directorate of Customs Sevilay Turksen to review CIT and PIT projects. Turksen informed EXBS Advisor that she was still awaiting a decision from senior Turkish Customs officials on the approved course of action for the customization of the PIT program. The two options are: 1) to utilize only Turkish Customs resources, or 2) to utilize an outside contractor for the general work, with specific Customs information added later. EXBS Advisor stressed that the project could be completed faster and with less strain on limited Turkish Customs resources by using the combination method. EXBS Advisor also informed Turksen of the upcoming Feb 13 visit by the CTP representative to discuss the status of the project. 3) February 7- EXBS Advisor met with MFA First Secretary for Arms Control and Disarmament Guven Begec to arrange the schedule of the Feb 16-17 Iran Nuclear briefing team. EXBS Advisor also confirmed the visit by ICP and PIT project coordinator. 4) February 13- EXBS Advisor accompanied CTP representative in a meeting with Department Head for Export Controls, General Directorate of Customs Sevilay Turksen to review PIT project. Turksen stated that she was still waiting for a decision from senior Turkish Customs officials on the approved course of action for the customization of the PIT program. The two options are: 1) to utilize only Turkish Customs resources, or 2) to utilize an outside contractor for the general work, with specific Customs information added later. CTP rep re-enforced previously stated opinion that the project could probably be completed quicker and with less ANKARA 00001257 002 OF 003 strain on limited Turkish Customs resources by using the combination method. EXBS Advisor and CTP representative also met with Ministry of Foreign Trade (UFT) and Siemens Corp (lead potential contractor) reps concerning the ICP program status. A detailed briefing on the project was provided by UFT and Siemens, and a timeline for completing the final statement of work was outlined, with the goal of a mid-March completion of the statement of work. Once the final statement of work and budget proposal is completed and approved by CTP, customization of the computer program can begin. 5) February 15 - 17 - EXBS Advisor served as control officer and coordinated meetings for the visit of a multi-agency Iran nuclear briefing team led by US UNVIE Ambassador Schulte. These briefings provided evidence to support the international community's belief that the Iranian program is not just for peaceful uses. A wide range of Turkish government officials participated in these briefings. Amb Schulte also briefed the media. More details of these briefings were reported in ref b. 6) February 22- EXBS Advisor met with MFA Second Secretary for Arms Control and Disarmament Serhan Ali Yigit SIPDIS to discuss PSI issues, including US and observer-nation participation in the May 24-26, 2006 Turkey-led PSI exercise. EXBS Advisor also discussed the March 3 meetings with TAEK and TNP concerning the uranium seizure that occurred in August 2005. Yigit noted that he hoped that this exchange of information would assist both countries and the international community in the fight against illegal sales of uranium and other WMD material. Finally, Yigit informed EXBS Advisor that the revised NP Agreement was being prepared for submission to the Turkish Parliament for ratification. ¶B. Training Conducted During Reporting Period: None ¶C. Equipment Delivered During Reporting Period: None ¶D. Imminent Training or Equipment Status Update: 1) Mar 6-10- DOE INECP to conduct CIT Train the Trainer Course in Ankara. ¶E. Significant Developments in Export Controls, Nonproliferation, or Related Border Security: 1) GOT informed Embassy that NP Agreement has been resubmitted to the Turkish Parliament for ratification. Once ratification occurs the path will be open for full engagement of all aspects of the EXBS program with Turkey. ¶3. Future Activities ¶A. Mar 2-3- EXBS Advisor to participate in meetings with DOE and TAEK officials in Istanbul. ¶B. Mar 6- 10 - DOE INECP to conduct CIT Train the Trainer Course in Ankara. ¶C. Mar 15-16- Turkish PSI Exercise planners to conduct coordination meetings with EUCOM Exercise Planners in Ankara ¶E. Mar 28-29 - EXBS Advisor to attend EXBS Advisor conference in Vienna, Austria. ¶F. April 13-24- EXBS Advisor to travel to Washington DC for consultations and leave. ¶G. Apr/May (tent)- DOE SLD to visit Turkey to complete SLD Implementation Agreement and begin scheduling of installation of new SLD equipment. ¶H. May (proposed)- INECP industry outreach workshop to be conducted. ANKARA 00001257 003 OF 003 ¶I. May 24-26- EXBS Advisor to attend PSI Exercise Anatolian Deer in Ankara and Antalya Turkey. ¶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. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON