EXBS: TURKEY ADVISORS MONTHLY REPORT- (OCT 2006)

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 006354 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR NP/ECC- PVANSON, ACHURCH, JFEENEY, NJOHANSON DEPT FOR EUR/ACE- DSILLIMAN, BHUNT DOE/NNSA- TPERRY, LPARKER, EDESCHLER CBP/INA- BWATTS, JGOUGE, BPICKETT 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- (OCT 2006) REF: 2004 STATE 146478 ¶1. Summary: Coordination of upcoming orientation visit by senior Turkish Customs officials to U.S. Customs locations continued. Progress was made to complete first phase of Internal Control Porgram (ICP),and other projects. Final coordination for visit by Second Line of Defense (SLD) personnel was completed for discussion on maintenance of installed monitors in preparation of full upgrade of system. Finally, EXBS Advisor continued to utilize 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) Oct 6- EXBS Advisor met with MFA Energy, Water and Environment Issues Head of Department Gulsum Erkul to discuss areas of mutual cooperation between the United States and the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority; areas included discussions on nuclear forensic testing, participation in the "Sister Laboratory" program and other non-proliferation projects. Erkul informed EXBS Advisor that the GOT was in favor of TAEK involvement in projects that increased international cooperation. EXBS Advisor stressed that we consider Turkey an important partner in this cooperation and also recognize that TAEK is considered a leader in Atomic Energy programs in the region. 2) Oct 11 - EXBS Advisor met with Customs Enforcement Deputy Director General Mehmet Guzel to discuss recent Turkish Customs activities. EXBS Advisor provided Guzel with additional information for upcoming orientation visit by senior Turkish Customs officials to the U.S. and provided information concerning the requested spare parts for the Turkish Portal Monitors. EXBS Advisor informed Guzel that DOE personnel recommend limited changes to the installed equipment which will increase reliability and sensitivity of the monitors. These changes can all be accomplished within the framework of the initial installation agreement and will better prepare the monitor for the full upgrade to the newest in SLD equipment once the NP Cooperation Agreement is ratified. Finally, Guzel provided information on recent Black Sea Customs officials meeting in Kiev and other Turkish Customs activities. 3) Oct 12- 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). EXBS advisor reviewed the successful progress that was completed by UFT with the ICP project; however he raised concerns that the PIT project remains stagnant and is in jeopardy of being canceled due to lack of progress. Yigit stated he would look into the issue and try to overcome the delays. EXBS Advisor also discussed the status of the NP Cooperation Agreement, which is awaiting final ratification by Grand National Assembly. 4) Oct 17- EXBS Advisor met with Customs Enforcement Deputy Director General Mehmet Guzel to discuss alternative solution to the lack of spare parts that Turkish Customs is beginning to experience for currently installed portal monitors. EXBS Advisor provided Guzel with ideas from DOE SLD personnel which will provide some modernization of the equipment while waiting for final ratification of the NP Cooperation Agreement and the start of a complete modernization of all SLD equipment. EXBS Advisor proposed a visit of DOE technical experts to meet with Customs experts in early November. Guzel agreed this would be a good idea and should be coordinated. Also, EXBS Advisor provided update to Guzel on the planning and coordination of the visit ANKARA 00006354 002.2 OF 002 of senior Turkish Customs officials to the U.S. in mid-November. EBS Advisor participated in a meeting with new MFA Arms Control and Disarmament Head of Department Ahmet Gun to discuss various bilateral and multi-lateral nonproliferation activities. EXBS Advisor reviewed 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). 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. Gun stated that the MFA was aware of these possible ramifications and will continue to encourage ratification by Parliament. ¶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. Nov 7-11 - SLD Coordination Team visit to discuss implementation plan and being scheduling site visits. ¶B. Nov 11-21 - Overview visit of Turkish Customs Officials to United States. ¶C. Nov 15 (proposed) - U.S.- Turkey Nuclear Smuggling Discussion to take place in Ankara. ¶D. Dec 4-6 - ICP Instructor Training in Ankara. ¶E. Dec 12-14 (invited) - GOT officials to participate in The Middle East Regional Technical Exchange on the Export Controls of Strategic Commodities in Amman Jordon. ¶E. Dec 18-19 - Industry - Government Forum in Istanbul. ¶F. Jan/Dec (proposed)- INECP nuclear industry outreach workshop to be conducted. ¶G. Jan/Feb (proposed)- First CIT Pilot Course conducted by Turkish instructors with assistance by INECP personnel. ¶H. Feb 5-9 (proposed) - Working level nuclear smuggling discussions to take place between U.S. experts and Turkish National Police and TAEK 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