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 ANKARA 00002474 002 OF 003 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, ANKARA 00002474 003 OF 003 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