TURKISH POLICE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000247 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR PM/DTCC JUDD STITZIEL E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2017 TAGS: ETTC KOMC PTER TU IZ SUBJECT: TURKISH POLICE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CONFISCATED WEAPONS REF: A. STATE 203641 ¶B. ANKARA 6720 Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Per ref a, LEGATT approached the Tukish National Police (TNP) Organized Crime and Anti-Terrorism Departments on January 31 to offer the visit of a DIA CHUCKWAGON team to assist in identifying the origin of the confiscated weapons contained in ref b. TNP officials noted their appreciaton of the offer but stated that such a visit would be difficult to arrange since they only maintain control over confiscated articles for a short period before they are turned over to the Justice Ministry. For that reason, they suggested, it would be difficult to arrange a visit to view those articles reported in ref b. They left open, however, the possibility of a visit to view future confiscations. ¶2. (C) The officials noted their success in collaborating with both Israel and Austria on the basis of item lists similar to the one submitted to us and expressed hope that this information would be adequate for identification purposes. The Anti-Terrorism Department did, however, offer to submit photos and additional information about the weapons reported in ref b, as well as confiscated explosives, to LEGATT, who will forward the information to DCIS for use in an ongoing investigation. CHUCKWAGON may wish to contact DCIS to request a review of this supporting documentation. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON