Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANKARA1737
2007-07-06 14:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

EXBS: TURKEY ADVISOR'S MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE-

Tags:  ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5252
RR RUEHDBU
DE RUEHAK #1737/01 1871453
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 061453Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2876
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
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JCS WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ANKARA 001737 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NP/ECC- PVANSON, ACHURCH, NJOHANSON
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE- DSILLIMAN, BHUNT, PMALIK
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 ADVISOR'S MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE-
(JUN 2007)

REF: 2004 STATE 146478

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ANKARA 001737

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NP/ECC- PVANSON, ACHURCH, NJOHANSON
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE- DSILLIMAN, BHUNT, PMALIK
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 ADVISOR'S MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE-
(JUN 2007)

REF: 2004 STATE 146478


1. Summary: Twenty-four Turkish National Police (TNP)
officials attended Department of Energy Radiation Detection
Training; fifteen Turkish Customs officials attended Customs
and Border Protection (CBP) International Rail Interdiction
Training and three Government of Turkey officials attended
University of Georgia Export Control Academy. CBP Training
Expert conducted preliminary assessment of Turkish Customs
training practices, policies and procedures; while finding
adequate overall presentation of information, improvements
could be made in the standardization of material in content
and delivery. Progress continued in the development and
standardization of the Internal Control Program, Commodity
Identification Training and Second Line of Defense project.
Additional focus was given to TNP development of detection
and response capability to nuclear incidents. End Summary.


2. Completed Actions for the Reporting Period


A. Site Assessment and Meetings During Recent Reporting
Period

1) Jun 5 - EXBS Advisor met with Customs Enforcement Deputy
Director General Mehmet Guzel to discuss recent Turkish
Customs activities. EXBS Advisor provided updated
information concerning the Turkish Customs participation in
CBP's International Rail Interdiction Training (IRIT) and
International Air Cargo Interdiction Training (IACIT); also
discussed was a Targeting and Risk Management (TRM) Workshop
to be held in July, focusing on truck and vehicle traffic.
EXBS Advisor added that the TRM trainers were available to
remain in Ankara the week following training to work
specifically with Turkish Customs HQ targeters on practices
and procedures currently being utilized in the United States
and in Turkey. Guzel welcomed this additional possibility
and would work quickly to get this approved by senior
leadership. EXBS Advisor then discussed the schedule of

meetings during the visit of a senior CBP training expert who
will begin investigating areas of cooperation between the
U.S. and Turkey in the development of the new Turkish Customs
training academy. Guzel again expressed appreciation for the
large number of activities which will occur over the next few
months and inquired again about the possibility of mid-level
training for Customs officials in the areas of case
management and incorporation of new technology. He added
that the more exposure Turkish Customs officials get to new
methods, procedures and equipment, the more prepared they
will be to perform their duties.

2) Jun 7-8 - EXBS Advisor conducted departure briefing with
Turkish Customs delegation traveling to the United States to
participate in the International Rail Interdiction Training
in El Paso Texas.

3) Jun 11-12 - EXBS Advisor accompanied CBP Training Expert
Robert Hessler during an assessment of Turkish Customs
Training Program. The assessment was conducted at the
headquarters and the training offices in Ankara; including
meetings with officials in the EU and External Affairs
Directorate, Customs Enforcement Directorate and Training
Division. The assessment determined that while the training
program was adequate to provide officers and other Customs
officials with the theoretical and legal knowledge needed for
the basic level, it lacked actual practical exercises to
supplement this training. The assessment also concluded that
while Turkish Customs use of guest instructors provides the
new officers with information from actual field experience,
the training lacks standardized curricula and delivery
methods to get consistent training to each new officer. It
was determined that follow-on events could be of assistance
to Turkish Customs Training Department in the development of
standardized course material. A detailed report of the
assessment is being developed by Mr. Hessler.


ANKARA 00001737 002 OF 004


4) Jun 15 - EXBS Advisor met with MFA Arms Control and
Disarmament Head of Department Serhan Yigit to discuss
current projects in Turkey, including Internal Control
Program (ICP),Customs Training and Second Line of Defense
(SLD). EXBS Advisor inquired as to the latest information
concerning the NP Cooperation Agreement. Yigit replied that
he needed to seek this information from the Agreements
Division of MFA and would provide any update that he gets
from them. Yigit added that although some training is
proceeding while we await these formalities, it will be good
when we can place all the NP programs into full motion,
including the delivery of equipment and the starting of the
SLD upgrades. EXBS Advisor agreed and then reviewed the
activities that had and will occur between US and Turkish
Customs, both training and visits.

5) Jun 19- 20 - EXBS Advisor attended the Washington
Program Managers meeting in Vienna, Austria. These meetings
assisted in the facilitation of EXBS program planning,
implementation and exchange of best practices among program
advisors.

6) Jun 27 - EXBS Advisor met with Turkish National Police
Organized Crime Section Chief Mehmet Ali Keskinkilic to
collect feedback concerning TNP's participation in FBI hosted
Law Enforcement Workshop on Nuclear Terrorism. Keskinkilic
stated that the workshop was very beneficial and spotlighted
many areas which Turkey needs to address in the preparation
and prevention of these types of events. He added that the
practical exercises which were conducted brought into better
focus the information that was being provided. EXBS Advisor
replied that exercise are a great way to identify areas of
improvement along with areas of strength; adding that TNP
could benefit from an exercise now to better identify needs
and focus initial work lists. Keskinkilic welcomed the idea
and stated that he was intending to discuss this in an
upcoming meeting with US FBI Liaison. EXBS Advisor then
provided Keskinkilic with latest Nuclear Smuggling Open
Source Report, adding that it was important for us to
continue to share information concerning anti-smuggling
successes in order to make it a safer world.

7) Jun 27 - EXBS Advisor met with Turkish National Police,
Counter Terrorism Division Assistant Director Ahmet Yayla to
obtain information from his recent meetings and training in
the United States. Yayla outlined the meeting to be held in
Washington DC with officials from the Department of Energy
and State Department concerning development of Turkey's
Nuclear Detection and Response capabilities; he explained how
from this information TNP will begin developing a plan.
These meetings will be held prior to the DOE sponsored
training in Richland, Washington for 24 TNP officials. Yayla
appreciated the assistance and provided information
concerning the GOT's efforts to develop this capability and
identified shortfalls. EXBS Advisor added that TNP
attendance at the FBI-sponsored Global Initiative to Combat
Nuclear Terrorism workshop in Miami was an excellent
opportunity for Turkish officials to share experience and
learn from other countries which have recently developed
these capabilities. Yayla agreed and added that he looks
forward to working with the United States to continue to
develop this unit.

8) Jun 28 - EXBS Advisor met with Custom EU and External
Relations Deputy Director General Ihsan Kocer to review past
events and upcoming cooperation activities and schedules.
EXBS Advisor provided a briefing on the significant findings
of the training assessment completed earlier in the month.
EXBS Advisor noted that while the report is still in its
draft stages, it was observed that Turkish Customs overall
has a sound training philosophy but could use assistance in
standardizing some of the material presented to the new
officers. A more comprehensive review of the Turkish program
needs to be completed which will include comparison of actual
operations to training will need to be conducted to better

ANKARA 00001737 003 OF 004


assist in either the exchange or the development of
standardized courses. EXBS Advisor provided updated
information concerning the Turkish Customs International Air
Cargo Interdiction Training (IACIT),Radiation Detection
Training and Hazardous Material training; also discussed was
a Targeting and Risk Management Workshop to be held in July,
focusing on truck and vehicle traffic and the additional
meetings with US and Turkish targeting experts following the
workshop. Kocer expressed appreciation for the increase in
activities adding that they are assisting in building the
bridges of cooperation between the organizations.


B. Training Conducted During Reporting Period:

1) June 2 - 9 - Twenty-Four Turkish National Police Officers
to attend DOE RADACAD Training in Richland, WA.

2) June 9 - 23 - Two Turkish Foreign Trade and one Customs
officials to attend UGA Export Control Academy in Athens GA.

3) Jun 9 -17 - Fifteen Turkish Customs Officers to attend
International Rail Interdiction Training Course, El Paso,
Texas.


C. Equipment Delivered During Reporting Period: None


D. Imminent Training or Equipment Status Update:

1) Jul 8-14 - CBP to conduct Land Based Targeting and Risk
Management Course, Ankara for twenty-four Turkish customs
officials.

2) Jul 16-17 - CBP targeting experts to conduct
meetings/training with Turkish Customs HQ targeting experts.

3) Jul 20 - Aug 1 - Twelve Turkish Customs Officers to
attend International Air Cargo Interdiction Training Course,
New York, NY.


E. Significant Developments in Export Controls,
Nonproliferation, or Related Border Security: None


3. Future Activities


A. Jul 8-14 - CBP to conduct Land Based Targeting and Risk
Management Course, Ankara for twenty-four Turkish customs
officials.


B. Jul 16-17 - CBP targeting experts to conduct
meetings/training with Turkish Customs HQ targeting experts.


C. Jul 20 - Aug 1 - Twelve Turkish Customs Officers to
attend International Air Cargo Interdiction Training Course,
New York, NY.


D. Aug 25 - Sep 1- Twenty-Four Turkish Customs Officers to
attend DOE RADACAD Training in Richland, WA.


E. Sep 10- 22 - Twenty- Four Turkish Official to attend CBP
HAZMAT Tech/First Responder Training, Harpers Ferry, WV.


F. Sep 12 -22 - Eighteen Turkish Customs Officers to attend
International Sea Port Interdiction Training Course,
Charleston, SC.


G. Sep 12 - 27 (proposed) - CBP Training Experts to conduct
follow-on evaluation of Turkish Customs training development
and course material. This evaluation will include visits to
actual customs locations to match actual procedures with
training provided.


4. Red Flag Issues: None


5. Contact Information for EXBS Adviser ) Kevin Lyon, phone
(90)(312) 457-7210, fax (90)(312) 468-4775, email

ANKARA 00001737 004 OF 004


LyonK@state.gov.

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/

WILSON