EXBS: TURKEY ADVISORS MONTHLY REPORT- (JUL 2007)

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 002020 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 ADVISORS MONTHLY REPORT- (JUL 2007) REF: A. 2004 STATE 146478 ¶B. ANKARA 1941 ¶1. Summary: MFA notifies Embassy that final step in the entry-into-force of NP Cooperation Agreement depends on information concerning status of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy Agreement. Twenty-four Turkish Customs officials attend Targeting and Risk Management Workshop in Ankara. This workshop is followed by detailed meetings with Turkish Customs concerning Turkish Targeting and Risk Management procedures and areas of possible future cooperation are identified. Finally, twelve Turkish Customs officials attend International Air Cargo Interdiction Training and Commodity Identification Training in New York. ¶2. Completed Actions for the Reporting Period ¶A. Site Assessment and Meetings During Recent Reporting Period 1) Jul 5 - 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 did not have any new information and has been instructed to wait until information was provided concerning the US status of the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy Agreement before making further inquires on this Agreement. EXBS Advisor expressed concern about the linking of these two Agreement and the potential slow down of activities it could cause. Yigit, stated he understood the potential ramifications but was given his instructions. EXBS Advisor explored possibility of granting a ZBV van which was already in Turkey for use by Turkish Customs. EXBS Advisor stated that this one time grant could be done outside the NP Cooperation Agreement, if both countries agreed. Yigit thought this could be possible, however he would need to review the grant document with appropriate offices. Yigit added that he was hopeful that we could continue to find ways to cooperate while we await these other formalities, although everything will be much easier once 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 occurred and will occur between US and Turkish Customs, both training and visits. 2) Jul 9 - 17 - US Customs and Border Protection Service conducted a Targeting and Risk Management Workshop for 24 Turkish Customs officials in Ankara from July 9 - 13, 2007. The focus of the workshop was the targeting of shipments through a land border crossing. Members of Turkish Customs Headquarters along with representatives from key border locations were in attendance at the workshop. The course included a day of practical exercises at the inland clearance station in Ankara. Initial feedback from those in attendance was that the information was very useful and will be valuable as Turkish Customs continues to develop and improve its targeting and risk management procedures. Following the one-week workshop, CBP instructors conducted 2 days of meetings and discussions with members of Turkish Customs Headquarters operations and targeters to further discuss Turkish processes and explore possible areas of future cooperation. Complete reporting of this event was reported via separate cable (ref b). 3) Jul 19-20 - EXBS Advisor conducted departure briefing with Turkish Customs delegation traveling to the United States to participate in the International Air Cargo and Commodity Identification Training in New York, NY. 4) Jul 26 - EXBS Advisor met with Customs Enforcement Deputy Director General Mehmet Guzel to discuss recent cooperative events and update on future activities. EXBS Advisor provided Guzel with an evaluation of the Targeting and Risk Management Workshop which was completed in Ankara and the ANKARA 00002020 002 OF 003 suggested areas of future cooperation outlined by the CBP team prior to their departure. Guzel stated that he had received several positive reports from the officials who attended the workshop who all felt the information presented and discussed was very beneficial. Guzel added that close cooperation between the US and Turkey would be beneficial in improving the Turkish system and for sharing experiences with US counterparts. EXBS Advisor then informed Guzel of an upcoming visit by DOE SLD personnel and their desire to meet to discuss proposed plan to replace currently installed portal monitors with newer, more dependable equipment. Guzel welcomed the opportunity to meet to discuss this project. 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 Targeting and Risk Management Training and meetings completed earlier in the month. EXBS Advisor noted that while the CBP delegation will make certain recommendations when they return to Washington, actual work towards achieving these goals still will require future planning and cooperation. Kocer stated he supported all efforts which would improve Turkish Customs targeting abilities and looks forward to future cooperation in this area. EXBS Advisor provided updated information concerning the Turkish Customs International Sea Port Interdiction Training (ISIT),Radiation Detection Training and Hazardous Material training. EXBS Advisor added that DOE SLD personnel would be in Ankara to meet with National Police personnel. They also desire to meet with Customs officials to discuss proposed plan to replace currently installed portal monitors with newer, more dependable equipment. Kocer expressed willingness to meet with them. Kocer added that he will be attending the CSI Workshop in Arlington VA at the end of August. 5) Jul 30 - Aug 2 - EXBS Advisor accompanies DOE SLD team at meetings with Turkish National Police (TNP) and Turkish Customs. SLD Team met with TNP to discuss future cooperation in the development of detection and response program for the TNP. These meetings were a follow-up to meetings conducted between DOE and TNP in June in Washington DC. SLD Team met with Turkish Customs to discuss proposal for replacement of the currently installed Ludlum monitors at selected border crossing with newer, more dependable equipment. Details of these meetings will be reported septel. ¶B. Training Conducted During Reporting Period: 1) Jul 8-14 - CBP conducted Land Based Targeting and Risk Management Course, Ankara for twenty-four Turkish customs officials. 2) Jul 16-17 - CBP targeting experts conducted meetings/training with Turkish Customs HQ targeting experts. 3) Jul 20 - Aug 1 - Twelve Turkish Customs Officers attended International Air Cargo Interdiction Training Course, New York, NY. ¶C. Equipment Delivered During Reporting Period: None ¶D. Imminent Training or Equipment Status Update: 1) Aug 25 - Sep 1- Twenty-Four Turkish Customs Officers to attend DOE RADACAD Training in Richland, WA. ¶E. Significant Developments in Export Controls, Nonproliferation, or Related Border Security: The selection process for the first EXBS Program Coordinator was completed. Over 100 candidates applied for the position, with the 6 top finalists being interviewed for consideration. A ranking of the finalists was completed on 25 July, with the position being offered to the top candidate on 31 July. Post expects to have coordinator in place by the end of August. ¶3. Future Activities ANKARA 00002020 003 OF 003 ¶A. Aug 25 - Sep 1- Twenty-Four Turkish Customs Officers to attend DOE RADACAD Training in Richland, WA. ¶B. Sep 10- 22 (Postponed) - Twenty- Four Turkish Officials to attend CBP HAZMAT Tech/First Responder Training, Harpers Ferry, WV. ¶C. Sep 12 -22 - Eighteen Turkish Customs Officers to attend International Sea Port Interdiction Training Course, Charleston, SC. ¶D. 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 LyonK@state.gov. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ MCELDOWNEY