EXBS: TURKEY ADVISOR'S MONTHLY REPORT- (JUNE 2006)

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 004033 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR NP/ECC- PVANSON, ACHURCH, JFEENEY DEPT FOR EUR/ACE- DSILLIMAN, BHUNT DOE/NNSA- TPERRY, LPARKER, EDESCHLER CBP/INA- BWATTS, JGOUGE DOC FOR PETERSON-BEARD, TCURTIN USCG FOR CWILSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TU SUBJECT: EXBS: TURKEY ADVISOR'S MONTHLY REPORT- (JUNE 2006) REF: 2004 STATE 146478 ¶1. Summary: EXBS Advisor began coordination of Port Security/Port Vulnerability Workshop and Customs Targeting and Risk Management Workshop with GOT officials. These workshops will open new areas of cooperation with Turkey, while awaiting final ratification of NP Cooperation Agreement. EXBS Advisor participated in discussions between Second Line of Defense (SLD) representative and Turkish Customs regarding changes and improvements to the SLD program. The meeting also included a general review of the SLD Implementations Agreement and desired order of border crossing installation. Finally, coordination for the course of action on the Product Identification Tool (PIT) was nearly completed with customization of the PIT expected to being in early July. ¶2. Completed Actions for the Reporting Period ¶A. Site Assessment and Meetings During Recent Reporting Period 1) June 12- EXBS Advisor met with Undersecretariat for Maritime Affairs Head of Safety of Navigation Department Okay Kilic to discuss possible areas of cooperation. EXBS Advisor presented possibility of conducting a US Coast Guard-led Port Security/Port Vulnerability Workshop at a Turkish Port in September. EXBS Advisor explained that this workshop would consist of discussions and practical exercise which would assist Turkish officials in evaluating and improving the security of their Port areas. Kilic stated that this would be a good opportunity to share ideas on the security of ports and agreed that bringing this workshop to the Port of Mersin, one of the faster growing ports in Turkey, would be a good idea. 2) June 14- EXBS Advisor and DOE SLD Turkey Desk Officer Erik Deschler met with Customs Enforcement Head of Department Mehmet Guzel to discuss the changes in the SLD program and Implementation Agreement. Deschler provide a briefing on the improvements to the equipment and installation procedures. He also requested feedback on any concerns there may be about the Implementation Agreement. Guzel stated that initial review did not raise any concerns; however a more detailed review will be completed following the ratification of the NP Agreement by Turkish Parliament. EXBS Advisor also sought feedback about the recently completed risk management workshop conducted by Denmark for Turkish Customs. Guzel informed EXBS Advisor that the workshop was very useful and presented new ideas which Turkey will work into their own program. Guzel also stated that it appears that mid-August will be a good time for the proposed Port Risk Management course. Guzel added that the Port of Izmir is still Turkey's first choice for this course. 3) June 15- EXBS Advisor met with Undersecretariat for Customs Head of Data Processing and Communication Department Nurcan Ozyazici and IT Coordinator Head Hasan Lale to discuss the Product Identification Tool (PIT) project. EXBS Advisor reviewed the PIT project and the customization alternatives with Ozyazici, informing Ozyazici about progress on the Internal Control Program for the Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade and the desire to use the same contractor, Docuart International, to complete the PIT project. Ozyazici stated that she had just received the information that her department was now coordinating this project and that she needed to do additional research. Ozyazici requested a meeting with the ICP contractor to discuss the capabilities of the company, the specific work that would be accomplished by the company and the input/oversight that would be provided by Turkish Customs. This would allow her to provide a more complete package for approval by her superiors of the selection of the contractor and the course of action. A follow-on meeting was scheduled. 4) June 20- EXBS Advisor and Docuart technical representative, Serdar Yurtseven, met with Undersecretatiat for Customs IT Coordinator Head Hasan Lale to discuss the ANKARA 00004033 002 OF 002 Product Identification Tool (PIT) project. Lale represented Department Head Ozyazici, who was called away for another high level meeting. Yurtseven presented a brief overview of Docuart and explained the work that was completed on the ICP project. Yurtseven then explained the type of work that would be entailed in customizing the PIT project and how work already completed on the ICP could be used in the PIT project. Lale responded that the information will be valuable as Turkish Customs officials determine the course of action they believe will best fit within their growing IT program. He hoped to be able to share the decisions of senior Customs officials soon. EXBS Advisor met with DG for EU and External Relations Riza Korkmaz. Korkmaz reviewed some of the areas of cooperation between Turkey and the EU; these include major proposals that are being considered for approval by the EU accession commission for upgrades to border crossing, joint training, and professional exchanges between Turkey and other members of the EU Customs Union. Korkmaz also stated that the dedicated EU liaison officer attached to his directorate will remain until the end of the year. Korkmaz added that even with the cooperation with the EU, he looks forward to increased cooperation with the US following the final ratification of the NP Agreement. ¶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: None ¶3. Future Activities ¶A. Jul 17- Aug 4 - EXBS Advisor to travel to Washington for end of contract consultations, contract renewal and leave. ¶B. Aug 9- 18 (proposed)- CBP Targeting and Risk Management training and evaluation team to visit Turkey to conduct course/evaluation at Port of Izmir. ¶C. Sep 17-23 (proposed)- Port Physical Security/Port Vulnerability Course to be conducted by US Coast Guard at Port of Mersin. ¶D. Oct/Nov (proposed)- First CIT Pilot Course conducted by Turkish instructors with assistance by INECP personnel. ¶E. Oct/Nov (proposed)- INECP nuclear industry outreach workshop to be conducted. ¶4. Red Flag Issues: Turkish Parliament recessed on July prior to reviewing and voting on the US- Turkish NP Cooperation Agreement. Parliament will reconvene in the fall with the Agreement expected to be near the top of the agenda. ¶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