EXBS: TURKEY ADVISOR'S MONTHLY REPORT- (SEP 2007)

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 002474

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NP/ECC- PVANSON, ACHURCH, NJOHANSON, BGOLDEN
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE- DSILLIMAN, BHUNT, PMALIK
DOE/NNSA- TPERRY, LPARKER, EDESCHLER
CBP/INA- BWATTS, BPICKETT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TU
SUBJECT: EXBS: TURKEY ADVISOR'S MONTHLY REPORT- (SEP 2007)

REF: 2004 STATE 146478


1. Summary: EXBS Advisor continued work on grant agreement
to transfer a new Z-Backscatter Van (ZBV) to Turkish Customs.
Work also continued on a cooperation plan to standardize the
training curriculum of the Turkish Customs Training Academy.
Eighteen Turkish officials from Turkish Customs, National
Police, Jandarma and Coast Guard attended the International
Sea Port Interdiction Training conducted by the U.S. Customs
and Border Protection in Charleston, SC.


2. Completed Actions for the Reporting Period


A. Site Assessment and Meetings During Recent Reporting
Period

1) Sep 4 - EXBS Advisor met with outgoing MFA Arms Control
and Disarmament Head of Department Serhan Yigit, new Head of
Section Bora Kerimoglu and others to discuss current projects
in Turkey. These included a proposed grant agreement for new
Z-Backscatter Van, Turkish Customs training cooperation
project and the Department of Energy/Second Line of Defense
(SLD) engagement proposal. EXBS Advisor reviewed a proposed
grant agreement which would provide Turkish Customs with a
Z-Backscatter van. Yigit explained that the agreement
appears appropriate and workable with a few minor changes.
These changes were agreed to and a new draft agreement will
be forwarded to Turkish Customs for approval. Yigit explained
that final approval would be with Turkish Customs since they
will be the organization accepting the equipment. EXBS
Advisor sought feedback concerning the draft documents which
outlined short term and long term goals which were being
finalized between SLD, TNP and Turkish Customs. Kerimoglu
expressed MFA's support for these proposals and that MFA was
awaiting input from the appropriate agencies before providing
official feedback to the Embassy. He then added that he was
hopeful that the US and Turkey could continue to find ways to
cooperate while we await the conclusion of the EXBS
Agreement. EXBS Advisor agreed and concluded the meeting by
reviewing past and upcoming training between US and Turkish
officials.

2) Sep 11- 12 - EXBS Advisor conducted a pre-departure
briefing with Turkish Customs, National Police, Jandarma and
Coast Guard officials traveling to the United States to
participate in the International Sea Port Interdiction
Training in Charleston, SC.

3) Sep 20 - EXBS Advisor met with President of Turkish
Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK),Okay Cakiroglu, to discuss
various issues including various areas of cooperation between
the US and Turkey. Cakiroglu noted there is a long history
of mutually beneficial cooperation between the U.S. and
Turkey; the latest cooperation in analyzing the seized LEU
has been beneficial to all. Cakiroglu welcomed the
information which was provided by the US following the
additional tests conducted in February and stated that he
hopes that areas for future cooperation will soon occur.
Cakiroglu added that the biggest obstacle to cooperation is
the lack of information being provided by the US concerning
the status of the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy Agreement
(PUNE). EXBS Advisor acknowledged this was an obstacle, but
one that we must overcome. EXBS Advisor inquired on the
status of the Commodity Identification Training (CIT) course
curriculum and schedule for upcoming events. Cakiroglu
responded that his staff had conducted a pilot course in June
and is utilizing the results of that course to improve the
curriculum. He is hopeful to have another course later this
fall.

4) Sep 24 - EXBS Advisor met with Turkish Customs EU and
External Relations Deputy Director General Ihsan Kocer to
discuss areas of cooperation. EXBS Advisor provided Kocer
with an outline of the recommendation made following the
visit of the CBP training expert in June. Kocer welcomed
this information and explained that he will need to
completely review the plan to determine what steps would be
appropriate for the development of the Turkish Customs
Training Academy. EXBS Advisor reminded Kocer of the
proposal to bring to Turkey a team of 4 CBP instructors to

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observe current on-the-job training being conducted at
various Customs locations and work with the current Turkish
Customs Academy staff to standardize lesson plans and other
information. Kocer stated that this would be a good next
step, but said he would first like to review the finding of
the report. EXBS Advisor provided Kocer with a copy of the
draft grant agreement which would provide Turkish Customs
with the Z-Backscatter van. Kocer said he was aware of the
Agreement and that it was currently being reviewed by
appropriate offices. He added that he expects comments to be
completed soon and promised to forward them to EXBS Advisor.
Finally, EXBS Advisor informed Kocer that he had received
positive feedback from MFA concerning the DOE SLD visit and
that all that was needed was a decision by Turkish Customs
concerning the order of site locations for the replacement of
the current monitors, adding that work could begin as soon as
November for the site evaluations.

5) Sep 24 - EXBS Advisor met with Turkish Customs
Enforcement Deputy Director General Mehmet Guzel and Ender
Gurleyik to review projects and other issues concerning areas
of cooperation. Gurleyik, who was the senior member of the
Turkish delegation which participated in the Radiation
Detection Training in Richland WA., stated that all members
were very impressed with the training and that he believed it
will be very beneficial in improving Turkish Customs
capabilities. EXBS Advisor noted that the individuals who
attended the training are now better able to assist in the
upcoming replacement and upgrade of the portal monitors by
DOE. Finally, EXBS Advisor updated Guzel and Gurleyik on the
status of the grant agreement for the ZBV van, stating that
MFA had informed him that the Agreement was now being
processed by Turkish Customs for final approval. Guzel and
Gurleyik agreed that Turkish Customs has been waiting
patiently for this piece of equipment and predicted that it
will deliver significant results once it is placed in service.


B. Training Conducted During Reporting Period:

1) Sep 12 -22 - Eighteen Turkish Officers from Customs,
National Police, Coast Guard and Jarndarma attended the
International Sea Port Interdiction Training Course,
Charleston, SC.


C. Equipment Delivered During Reporting Period: None


D. Imminent Training or Equipment Status Update:

1) Sep 12 -22 - Eighteen Turkish Officers from Customs,
National Police, Coast Guard and Jarndarma attended the
International Sea Port Interdiction Training Course,
Charleston, SC.


E. Significant Developments in Export Controls,
Nonproliferation, or Related Border Security: The new EXBS
Program Coordinator began working at the Embassy on September
17, 2007.


3. Future Activities


A. Oct 3 - New Turkey EXBS Advisor, Robert Cieslinski begins
work in Ankara.


B. Oct 11 - Previous EXBS Advisor departs post.


C. Nov (proposed) - SLD to conduct follow-on radiation
detection training for Turkish National Police. Locations to
be determined.


D. Nov/Dec (proposed) - CBP Training Experts to conduct
follow-on evaluation of Turkish Customs training development
and course material. This evaluation will include visits to
Customs locations to observe actual procedures which will
assist CBP experts in development of improved standardized
training for ue by Turkish Customs Academy.


4. Red Flag Issues: None


5. Contact Information for EXBS Adviser (before 10 Oct) )
Kevin Lyon, phone (90)(312) 457-7210, fax (90)(312) 468-4775,

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email LyonK@state.gov.; (after 10 Oct) Robert Cieslinski,
email CieslinskiRL@state.gov.

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

WILSON