PSI: TURKISH EXERCISE ANATOLIAN SUN

UNCLAS ANKARA 001440 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL TU SUBJECT: PSI: TURKISH EXERCISE ANATOLIAN SUN REF: A. STATE 14494 ¶B. ANKARA 180 ¶1. The Government of Turkey held a planning conference on March 15, 2006 in Ankara for the upcoming PSI exercise Anatolian Sun. (Originally named Anatolian Deer, in late January the name was change to Anatolian Sun; TGS tells us this was to better match the operating area and objectives of the exercise, but we understand the Turkish translations of "deer" was judged as conveying too light a tone.) Attending the conference were representatives from United States (EUCOM, NAVEur) and France, as well as a large interagency Turkish delegation. Portugal was invited to the conference but was not able to attend. Participating countries reviewed the exercise scenario and suggested changes to provide additional training opportunities for the units involved and to increase the opportunities for greater joint activities. The Turkish hosts accepted these changes. ¶2. MFA Disarmament and Arms Control Department First Secretary Sehan Yigit reviewed the status of the responses SIPDIS from the 59 nations invited to the PSI exercise during a meeting on March 17. Yigit stated that Turkey has received responses from 38 countries; of these 27 nations responding that they will attend the exercise, 3 of those (United States, France, Portugal) committed to provide assets, although Yigit noted that he was informed that representatives from Portugal have inquired about what difficulties would arise if Portugal could no longer provide assets to the exercise. 11 nations have responded negatively. The GOT is still awaiting responses from 21 countries. Yigit noted that the Turkish Embassy in the non-responsive countries will be asked to assist in getting a reply. ¶3. The current breakdown of responses to Anatolian Sun is: a. Participating: Albania Austria, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Iraq, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Fed, Serbia-Montenegro, Singapore, Slovakia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Ukraine, b. Non-participating: Belarus, Croatia, Hungary, Iceland, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden Turkmenistan. c. Awaiting response: Afghanistan, Argentina, Canada, Estonia, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Macedonia, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Republic of Korea, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia. Note: Libya has requested more information including details of what other countries were invited. Turkmenistan, Kazakhastan, Kyrgystan have all requested additional information and are reconsidering their replies. Yigit expressed appreciation for US efforts to get these countries involved. He was aware that the US had been in contact with these countries since they requested information with the new exercise name, Anatolian Sun, which had not been formally announce to them yet. End note. ¶4. Comment: The GOT views this exercise as an opportunity to demonstrate both to their own public and the international community the efforts that Turkey is taking to stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The Turkish General Staff has had the lead in developing the exercise, and has successfully incorporated input from other ministries in the Turkish government including Customs, Turkish Atomic Energy Authority, Interior Ministry and others. The GOT is hoping that the leadership displayed in coordinating this exercise will assist them in solidifying its leadership role in PSI. Turkish officials also hope to raise public awareness about nonproliferation and has, therefore, built into the exercise significant media events. End Comment. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON