EXBS: TURKEY ADVISORS MONTHLY REPORT- (NOV 2006)

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 006662 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR NP/ECC- PVANSON, ACHURCH, NJOHANSON DEPT FOR EUR/ACE- DSILLIMAN, BHUNT DOE/NNSA- TPERRY, LPARKER, EDESCHLER CBP/INA- BWATTS, 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- (NOV 2006) REF: A. 2004 STATE 146478 ¶B. ANKARA 6482 ¶1. Summary: Four senior Turkish Customs officials completed a 10 day orientation visit to CBP offices and field locations. The GOT delayed proposed Internal Control Program Instructor Training and Industry- Government Forum due to delays in approval of translation of EU Control list (ref b). Second Line of Defense officials outlined program to up date currently installed single channel monitors to more reliable dual channel monitors. 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) Nov 1 - EXBS Advisor met with Customs Enforcement Deputy Director General Mehmet Guzel to discuss recent Turkish Customs activities. EXBS Advisor provided Guzel with information concerning the suggested replacement of portal monitors for the border crossing and to confirm upcoming meetings with DOE SLD representatives. Guzel stated that he is very interested in the new equipment and that his technician will be available to discuss the possible change in equipment. EXBS Advisor also provided updated information on the upcoming orientation visit that will occur for senior Turkish Customs officials later in the month. Guzel informed EXBS Advisor that the Undersecretary for Turkish Customs was required to remove himself from the orientation visit due to other pressing government business in Turkey, but hoped to have an opportunity to meet with senior U.S. officials in the future. The remaining members of the Turkish delegation have completed all their preparations and were ready for the trip; all believing that the exposure they will receive from the outlined program should greatly assist them in their current positions and also in planning for the future of Turkish Customs. 2) Nov 8 - EXBS Advisor met with MFA Arms Control and Disarmament First Secretary 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 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. Yigit informed EXBS Advisor that he would be meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister the next day to provide additional information concerning the NP Cooperation Agreement in preparation for any questions the Grand National Assembly might have as the Agreement is considered for ratification. 3) Nov 9 - EXBS Advisor and DOE SLD Turkey Desk Officer Erik Deschler met with Customs Enforcement Head of Department Mehmet Guzel to review/discuss plans to provide replacement equipment for the currently installed old single channel portal monitors with a more dependable and accurate dual channel monitor. Deschler briefed on the capabilities of the suggested replacement equipment and that the exchanges can be accomplished under the preexisting agreement under which the original monitors were installed. EXBS Advisor also provided final documents and other information for the Customs Orientation. 4) Nov 15 - EXBS Advisor and Regional Customs Attach Robert Stiriti met with DG for EU and External Relations Riza Korkmaz. Stiriti 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 ANKARA 00006662 002 OF 003 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) Nov 16 - 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 other possible areas of cooperation. Demirduzen informed EXBS Advisor that UFT has experienced difficulties in receiving the comments on the translation of the EU control list from other government agencies due to their concerns about acting on the NP Agreement prior to its ratification by the Turkish Parliament. This delay in receiving the comments will cause a postponement of the ICP Instructor Training and the Industry-Government Forum, which were both planned for December. Demirduzen has been in contact with MFA and was seeking assistance and guidance concerning appropriate courses of action. 6) Nov 20 - EXBS Advisor met with MFA Arms Control and Disarmament First Secretary Serhan Yigit to discuss the problems being experienced by UFT concerning the ICP project. Yigit informed EXBS Advisor that a letter was prepared and sent by FM Gul to the related institutions informing them that the MFA did not consider supporting the ICP project as working around the pending NP Agreement. However, Yigit stated that until the NP Agreement is ratified the MFA does not possess the ability to compel compliance by the other institutions to assist with these projects. EXBS Advisor explained how the delay could negatively impact the project and possibly other projects. Yigit replied that he will inform the MFA leadership and investigate other possible courses of action. Finally, Yigit informed EXBS Advisor that he met with the Deputy Foreign Minister and the Dep FM had been in contact with several Parliamentarians concerning the NP Cooperation Agreement. 7) Nov 30 - EXBS Advisor met with Customs Enforcement Deputy Director General Mehmet Guzel and other officials who participated in the orientation visit to the United States. Guzel informed EXBS Advisor that the trip was very successful, meeting all expectations and that the Turkish Officials received a wealth of information concerning training, equipment, procedures and planning for the future. The information obtained during the visit will establish the foundation from which the Turkish Customs organization will begin to develop plans for future. Guzel also stated that exposure to the Customs Training Academy showed the importance of a proper and effective training program for new officials. Turkey had been considering formalizing their training program by establishing an academy and the information gained during the visit will be very influential in this development. Guzel hopes to build on this experience by having other Turkish Customs official take part in future international activities conducted by the U.S. CBP. ¶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: 1) Nov 11- 21: Customs Official Orientation Visit to the United States - Four senior Turkish Customs Enforcement officials completed a detailed orientation visit with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The visit included briefings at CBP HQ in Washington DC and visits to the National Targeting Center in Washington DC, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, El Paso Intelligence Center. The Turkish officials also observed actual operations at the Port of Miami, the Miami International Airport and the El Paso Border Crossing. Briefings at CBP HQ included ANKARA 00006662 003 OF 003 information sharing on equipment, targeting of suspicious cargo, training of officials and planning for the future. ¶3. Future Activities ¶A. Dec 4-6 - ICP Instructor Training in Ankara. (postponed to Feb) ¶B. Dec 18-19 - Industry - Government Forum in Istanbul. (postponed to late Jan/Feb) C Jan/Feb (proposed)- INECP nuclear industry outreach workshop to be conducted. D Jan/Feb (proposed)- First CIT Pilot Course conducted by Turkish instructors with assisance by INECP personnel. ¶E. Feb 26 - Mar 2 (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