EXBS: TURKEY DECLINES INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN

UNCLAS ANKARA 006475 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KSTC PARM PREL TU SUBJECT: EXBS: TURKEY DECLINES INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN WORKSHOP ON THE ENFORCEMENT OF EXPORT CONTROLS ON STRATEGIC COMMODITIES REF: STATE 174810 ¶1. Per reftel, we forwarded the invitation for the GOT to send two participants to the Middle East Regional Technical Exchange on the Export Controls of Strategic Commodities being held in Amman, Jordan in December 2006. Subsequently, we emphasized to MFA Disarmament and Arms Control Head of Department Ahmet Gun the U.S. belief that Turkey's accomplishments in the area of export controls and their training of officials would greatly benefit other workshop participants. ¶2. On November 20, we were notified by Serhan Yigit of the MFA Disarmament and Arms Control staff that Turkey would not participate in the Amman workshop. Yigit informed us that he had been in close contact with both Turkish Customs and Turkish Atomic Energy Authority concerning their decisions to not participate, but it was determined that other high priority issues would prevent Turkish experts in the export control field from attending. Yigit acknowledged that this would be a missed opportunity for Turkish experts to interact with others in the region; however the MFA did not feel it appropriate to force participation by the related institutions. Yigit offered that the GOT would like to be considered for future opportunities of this type. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON