EXBS: TURKEY ADVISORS MONTHLY REPORT- (AUGUST 2006)

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 005261 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 TCURTIN USCG FOR BGOLDEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TU SUBJECT: EXBS: TURKEY ADVISORS MONTHLY REPORT- (AUGUST 2006) REF: 2004 STATE 146478 ¶1. Summary: August was a busy month for EXBS activities. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) conducted an assessment on the Port of Mersin followed by Targeting and Risk Management Workshop for 29 Turkish Customs officials; preparations were finalized for a Coast Guard Port Security/Port Vulnerability Workshop in Izmir; along with more progress on the Internal Control Program (ICP) and Product Identification Tool (PIT). Finally, EXBS Advisor utilized various opportunities to further explain the importance of ratification of the U.S.- Turkish NP Cooperation Agreement, and the positive impact that the EXBS program can have in Turkey. ¶2. Completed Actions for the Reporting Period ¶A. Site Assessment and Meetings During Recent Reporting Period 1) Aug 4 - EXBS Advisor met with Department Head for Customs Enforcement Ali Aygun to review upcoming Targeting and Risk Management Workshop that was scheduled to take place at the Port of Mersin later in August. Final logistical issues were resolved, along with arrangements for the CBP team to conduct a pre-workshop assessment of the Port of Mersin, to better target the workshop on areas that would best improve the Turkish procedures. Aygun noted that the Regional Director for Mersin was very interested in the workshop and was fully available to meet with CBP officials and to assist in any way he could. Aygun anticipated that the workshop would be very successful. EXBS Advisor, DOC contractor Rossitza Petrov, and representatives from Docuart International, the locally selected ICP and PIT customization contractor, met with Undersecretariat for Customs Head of Data Processing and Communication Department Nurcan Ozyazici and other Customs officials to discuss the PIT project. Ozyazici informed EXBS Advisor that she was still awaiting final approval from Customs Undersecretary concerning the use of US funding for the customization project. Petrov outlined in detail the customization schedule and the responsibilities of both Turkish Customs and Docuart in the process. Petrov also answered questions concerning the training of instructors and the deployment of the program following completion of the customization. Ozyazici stated that she expect to have final approval by the end of the month and that work could begin in September. 2) Aug 9 - 11 - EXBS Advisor and visiting CBP team met with Mersin Regional Customs Director Dogan Kanmaz, Deputy Director Ali Merdanoglu, port officials and other senior staff members. CBP team provided an overview of the Targeting and Risk Management Training that would be conducted the following week. The CBP team then began an assessment of the Mersin Port, beginning with information collected during the briefing on operation provided by Mersin Customs staff. Following the briefings tours of the passenger ferry processing area, the commercial port facilities and the Mersin Free Zone were conducted. CBP team was able to observe the offloading of cargo, the movement of trucks, the checking of incoming and outgoing trucks and passenger vehicles. Turkish Customs officials were very open and willing to discuss their operation and exchange experiences. CBP team fund Turkish Customs operations well within traditionally accepted international standards with no significant areas of major concern. 3) Aug 14 - EXBS Advisor met with Undersecretariat for Maritime Affairs Head of Safety of Navigation Department Okay Kilic to discuss US Coast Guard-led Port Security/Port Vulnerability Workshop to be held at the Port of Izmir in September. EXBS Advisor provided additional information on the workshop that was obtained during recent consultations in Washington. Kilic stated that there is a high interest in the information exchange, but requested that more sections on port safety be added to the workshop. EXBS Advisor responded ANKARA 00005261 002 OF 003 that port safety is part of each section, but that he will also request the CG team add information on safety and hazardous cargo. Kilic expressed appreciation and believes that this workshop will be a benefit to the personnel working at the Port of Izmir. 4) Aug 23- EXBS Advisor met with Department Head for Customs Enforcement Ali Aygun to review the recently completed Targeting and Risk Management Workshop along with other EXBS areas of cooperation with Turkish Customs, including CIT, PIT, and SLD. Aygun informed EXBS advisor of the very positive feedback that he had received from not only the Mersin Regional Director but also others that had attended the workshop. Aygun stated that he looks forward to other opportunities for future cooperation. EXBS Advisor again requested support from Turkish Customs in seeking final Parliamentary ratification of the NP Agreement and reviewed some of the equipment that is being prepared for delivery to Turkey following ratification of the Agreement. Aygun stated that he will add to his report to the Undersecretary of Customs on the Workshop a reminder that the areas of cooperation that will be made available to Turkish Customs following the ratification on the Agreement and the need for Turkish Customs to assist in pushing for final full ratification. Finally Aygun outlined Turkish activities on the Iranian border and how additional equipment could assist in their activities in that region. EXBS Advisor met with DG for EU and External Relations Riza Korkmaz. Korkmaz provided an update on the areas of cooperation that Turkey and the EU have been working, including upgrades to border crossings, joint training and professional exchanges between Turkey and other members of the EU Customs Union. 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. 5) Aug 24 - EXBS Advisor met with Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade (UFT) Agreements Department Head Ziya Demirduzen to review the progress of the ICP project, evaluation of the translation of the EU control list and discuss possible other areas of cooperation. Demirduzen informed EXBS Advisor that UFT has been in contact with the contractor, Docuart, and will have their final review and input submitted to them by the end of August. The program appears to be working properly and there are only minor corrections needed in some of the documents. Demirduzen added that the review of the translated control list is being accomplished with the assistance of the Istanbul Mineral and Metals Association. He hopes to have the review completed by mid-September. EXBS Advisor informed Demirduzen that it is now time to begin planning for the next stages of the ICP program, including instructor training and an Industry-Government Forum. If plans begin now, the instructor training could take place in late October and the IG Forum in early November. Demirduzen agreed that this could be possible, but would need to check with his Director General before committing to these time frames. 6) Aug 25 - EXBS Advisor met with President of Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK),Okay Cakiroglu to discuss various issues. EXBS Advisor expressed his appreciation for Cakiroglu's staff's for the work being completed on the CIT course. Cakiroglu replied that he believes there are many areas in which mutual cooperation can provide a benefit to not only the US and Turkey but to other countries in the area, and that by working together it is possible to make this a safer region for all. The CIT course is but one way to assist in the fight against the illegal spread of nuclear and dual use items. 7) Aug 31- EXBS Advisor met with Acting MFA Arms Control and Disarmament Head of Department Serhan Yigit to conduct monthly update meeting on all current projects in progress in Turkey, including Internal Control Program (ICP), Commodity Identification Training (CIT),Product Identification Tool (PIT) and Second Line of Defense (SLD). ANKARA 00005261 003 OF 003 EXBS advisor reviewed the recently completed TRM workshop in Mersin and the upcoming Port Safety and Security Workshop to be held in Izmir in September. EXBS Advisor delivered information on the proposed Industry-Government Forum as the next step in the development and deployment of the ICP program. EXBS Advisor also discussed the status of the NP Cooperation Agreement, which is awaiting final ratification by Grand National Assembly. EXBS Advisor reiterated previous conversations that the delay in ratification is holding up provision of important equipment to Turkish Customs. Yigit stated that he understood the ramifications and will continue to work with his leadership to urge ratification by Parliament. ¶B. Training Conducted During Reporting Period: 1) Aug 14 - 18 - Customs and Border Protection (CBP) conducted a Targeting and Risk Management (TRM) Course at the Port of Mersin, Turkey. The goal of the TRM course was to enhance the officers' knowledge and abilities to better screen shipments by identifying and effectively targeting those that present a risk. During the week, 29 Turkish Customs officials actively engaged in all course activities and field exercises at the Mersin Port. Student and instructor feedback was positive. ¶C. Equipment Delivered During Reporting Period: None ¶D. Imminent Training or Equipment Status Update: 1) Sep 17-23- Port Physical Security/Port Vulnerability Course to be conducted by US Coast Guard at Port of Izmir. ¶E. Significant Developments in Export Controls, Nonproliferation, or Related Border Security: None ¶3. Future Activities ¶A. Sep 17-23- Port Physical Security/Port Vulnerability Course to be conducted by US Coast Guard at Port of Izmir. ¶B. Oct 23-25 (proposed)- ICP Instructor Training in Ankara. ¶C. Nov 8-9 (proposed)- Industry - Government Forum in Istanbul. ¶D. Oct/Nov (proposed)- INECP nuclear industry outreach workshop to be conducted. ¶E. Jan/Feb (proposed)- First CIT Pilot Course conducted by Turkish instructors with assistance by INECP personnel. ¶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