EXBS: TURKEY ADVISORS MONTHLY REPORT- (SEP 2006)

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 005902 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR NP/ECC- PVANSON, ACHURCH, JFEENEY, NJOHANSON DEPT FOR EUR/ACE- DSILLIMAN, BHUNT DOE/NNSA- TPERRY, LPARKER, EDESCHLER CBP/INA- RWATTS, 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- (SEP 2006) REF: 2004 STATE 146478 ¶1. Summary: U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) conducted a Port Security/Port Vulnerability Training for 19 Turkish Port Authority, Customs, Coast Guard and Maritime Ministry officials at the Port of Izmir; initial coordination was started for an upcoming orientation visit to the United States for representatives of Turkish Customs; and continued progress was made on the Internal Control Program (ICP). Finally, EXBS Advisor continued to 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) Sep 15 - EXBS Advisor met with Customs Enforcement Deputy Director General Mehmet Guzel to discuss recent Turkish Customs activities. EXBS Advisor provided Guzel with an evaluation of the Targeting and Risk Management Workshop which was completed in Mersin. Guzel stated that he had received several positive reports from the Mersin Regional Director and other customs officials that the workshop was very beneficial to all who attended. Guzel added that he would appreciate the same type of program for land border locations and possibly other ports. Finally, Guzel requested information on the possibility of a Turkish Customs delegation traveling to the U.S. during the next two months for an orientation visit to Custom HQ and field locations. EXBS Advisor stated that this should be possible; however he would need to coordinate with U.S. Customs concerning actual visit locations and program. 2) Sep 18- EXBS Advisor and visiting USCG team met with Port of Izmir Regional Director, Deputy Director, port officials and other senior staff members. USCG team provided an overview of the Port Security/Port Vulnerability Training that was being conducted. Izmir Port officials provided an overview briefing of the port along with expected areas of expansion of the port. Following the briefings, a tour of the commercial port facilities was conducted. USCG team was able to observe the overall physical security of the port, off loading of cargo, the movement of trucks, and the checking of incoming and outgoing trucks and passenger vehicles. Turkish Port officials were very open and willing to discuss their operation and exchange experiences. USCG team found Turkish port operations well within traditionally accepted international standards with no significant areas of major concern. 3) Sep 19 - EXBS Advisor met with Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade (UFT) Agreements Department Head Ziya Demirduzen to review the progress of the ICP project, to evaluate the translation of the EU control list and to discuss possible other areas of cooperation. Demirduzen informed EXBS Advisor that UFT has been in contact with the contractor, Docuart, and submitted their final review on Sept ¶13. 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, Turkish Atomic Energy Authority and the Ministry of Defense. Each agency has been requested to have comments submitted to UFT no later than Oct 16. EXBS Advisor informed Demirduzen that planning for the next stages of the ICP program, including instructor training and an Industry-Government Forum, needs to continue; however due to the delay in the review of the translated control list it is now suggested that the instructor training take place in early November and the IG Forum in early December. Demirduzen agreed that this could be possible, but would need to check with his Director General before committing to these time frames. ANKARA 00005902 002 OF 003 4) Sep 20 - EXBS Advisor met with MFA Energy, Water and Environment Issues Head of Department Gulsum Erkul to discuss the involvement of Turkish Atomic Energy Authority in upcoming International Nuclear Smuggling Work Group and provide initial information concerning upcoming request for additional cooperation in combating nuclear smuggling. Erkul informed EXBS Advisor that she was the main focal point of international cooperation with issues involving TAEK and appreciated being included in communication with TAEK that could have international implications. EXBS Advisor stressed that we consider Turkey a partner in this fight and that any information that is obtained by TAEK conducting these tests would be shared with GOT. EXBS Advisor met with Customs Enforcement Deputy Director General Mehmet Guzel to further discuss the proposed orientation visit by Turkish Customs officials to the United States. Guzel informed EXBS Advisor that he was impressed with the proposed initial schedule for the orientation visit. Guzel added that one of the key points on which Turkish officials would like information was planning for the future. Guzel continued that there is a belief that Turkish Customs will be going through changes in the near future with the addition of technology and personnel. Because of this, they would like to learn more about how U.S. Customs plans for the future and prepares for changes in policies, practices and procedures. 5) Sep 26 - EXBS Advisor met with Dr. Kemal Kaya, Advisor to the Turkish Grand National Assembly Speaker Arinc. EXBS Advisor outlined the NP Agreement for Kaya and requested assistance in moving the Agreement through Parliament for ratification. Kaya reviewed the normal procedure by which Agreements are ratified; he also checked on the status of the Agreement. Kaya informed EXBS Advisor that the Agreement was number 3 on the list of items for the general agenda. This is a good position as the fall session opens, since it is rare for non-agenda items to be brought to the floor of Parliament early in the session. Kaya would expect ratification of the Agreement within the first two weeks of the next session, which opens October 2. 6) Sep 27 - EXBS Advisor met with Turkish National Police Organized Crime Section Chief Mehmet Ali Keskinkilic. EXBS Advisor informed Keskinkilic about the U.S. proposals for increased cooperation between Turkey and the US in the area of combating nuclear smuggling, including the offer of discussion or workshops between law enforcement experts in these areas. Keskinkilic stated that he did not believe that there is a significant amount of actual smuggling of nuclear material in Turkey at this time. EXBS Advisor informed Keskinkilic that, while there might not be a significat amount now, these discussions would assist n preparing Turkish officials should the smugglers begin to try to work through Turkey. Keskinkilic agree that this would be a good prgram for the TNP's new terrorism task force and that he would present the information to his leadership. 7) Sep 29 - EXBS Advisor met with Customs Enforcement Deputy Director General Mehmet Guzel to further discuss the proposed orientation visit by Turkish Customs officials to the United States. EXBS Advisor presented the latest proposed schedule which factored in changes due to travel and holidays. Guzel informed EXBS Advisor that he just returned from a meeting in Kiev, Ukraine concerning joint cooperation between Black Sea countries to stop smuggling on the Black Sea. This initiative is different from the Black Sea Harmony/Black Sea Force that is being coordinated by the militaries of some of the Black Sea littoral countries and focuses more on cooperation between the customs services of each country. It has been proposed that the main command center for this new initiative be located in Ukraine, either Kiev or Odessa. Guzel added that there are many details that need to be worked out, but this initial four day meeting did have attendees from all six littoral countries. ¶B. Training Conducted During Reporting Period: ANKARA 00005902 003 OF 003 1) Sep 17- 23 - US Coast Guard (USCG) conducted a Port Physical Security/Port Vulnerability Course at the Port of Izmir, Turkey. The goal of the training was to enhance the officers knowledge and abilities to enhance the physical security of the port and to identify possible future areas of vulnerability to the safety and security of the port. During the week, 18 Turkish officials from 6 Turkish Ports, Turkish Customs, Coast Guard and Maritime Ministry actively participated in all course activities and field exercises at the port. Student and instructor feedback was positive. ¶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. Nov 11-21 - Overview visit of Turkish Customs Officials to United States. ¶B. Nov 28-30 (proposed)- ICP Instructor Training in Ankara. ¶C. Dec 18-19 (proposed)- Industry - Government Forum in Istanbul. ¶D. Dec/Jan (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