Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA6662
2006-12-15 08:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

EXBS: TURKEY ADVISORS MONTHLY REPORT- (NOV 2006)

Tags:  ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6023
RR RUEHDBU
DE RUEHAK #6662/01 3490833
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 150833Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0297
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RULSJGA/COMDT COGUARD WASHDC
RUEAORC/US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION WASHINGTON DC
INFO RUCNEXC/EXPORT CONTROL AND RELATED BORDER SECURITY
RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JCS WASHDC
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

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