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