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

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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).

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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