EXBS: TURKEY ADVISORS MONTHLY REPORT- (FEB 2007)

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000525 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR NP/ECC- PVANSON, ACHURCH, NJOHANSON DEPT FOR EUR/ACE- DSILLIMAN, BHUNT DOE/NNSA- TPERRY, LPARKER, EDESCHLER CBP/INA- BWATTS, JGOUGE, 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- (FEB 2007) REF: 2004 STATE 146478 ¶1. Summary: EXBS Advisor assisted in Embassy support to U.S. delegation attending Global Initiative (GI) meetings, coordinated Turkish participation at export control conference and began coordination of Turkish customs officials' participation at upcoming International Border Interdiction Training. EXBS Advisor continued to work with the Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade to complete the first part of the Internal Control Program project. Two USG nuclear smuggling and forensic experts conducted a nuclear smuggling workshop for 38 members of the Turkish National Police. ¶2. Completed Actions for the Reporting Period ¶A. Site Assessment and Meetings During Recent Reporting Period 1) Feb 12- 13 - EXBS Advisor assisted in Embassy support to the U.S. delegation participating in the Second Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism meeting which was held in Ankara. EXBS Advisor provided information to delegation members concerning the Government of Turkey's recent activities in the Nonproliferation area, including the support to the bilateral Nonproliferation Cooperation Agreement, Proliferation Security Initiative and other enforcement activities. 2) Feb 13 - EXBS Advisor participated in a meeting between representatives from Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and NATO Center of Excellence Defense Against Terrorism (COE-DAT). COE-DAT provided a briefing on the purpose and history of the center and also their proposed course of development for the future. DTRA officials provided information concerning possible curriculum and instructors in the support of counter proliferation training as an additional subject to be taught at the COE-DAT. COE-DAT officials welcomed the possibility of the new material and agreed to continue contact with DTRA in hopes of bringing this idea on line soon. 3) Feb 17 - EXBS Advisor met with Customs Enforcement Deputy Director General Mehmet Guzel to further discuss the training opportunities for Turkish Customs officials. EXBS Advisor outlined a proposed schedule of courses which have been made available for Turkish Customs officers including 16 slots in the International Border Interdiction Training (IBIT) at the end of March, and other courses later in the year. EXBS Advisor also presented a proposal for a visit by a CBP training expert to begin coordination with Turkish Customs in the development of their new training academy. Guzel welcomed this opportunity and believes that these expert exchanges will provide important input into the academy development. Finally, EXBS Advisor reviewed equipment that is ready for delivery to Turkey for use by Turkish Custom but is only awaiting final signature of the ratified NP Cooperation Agreement. 4) Feb 26 - 27 - EXBS Advisor participated in a Nuclear Smuggling Workshop led by experts from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for Turkish National Police Officials. (See below) 5) Feb 26- EXBS Advisor met with Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade (UFT) Agreements Department Head Ziya Demirduzen to review the status of the ICP project and to discuss other possible areas of cooperation. Demirduzen informed EXBS Advisor that the translated EU control list and base program have been given a final review and comments will be provided to the contractor, Docuart, for correction. Once this is completed, work will begin on modifying the program from a stand-alone program to a web based program. Demirduzen stated that this work will be coordinated by the UFT IT department. EXBS Advisor informed Demirduzen that since completion is very near, planning for the next stages of the ICP program, including instructor training and an Industry-Government Forum, needs to start soon. Demirduzen ANKARA 00000525 002 OF 003 agreed and informed EXBS Advisor that a new member of his staff would be leading this effort and would start working on these issues. Finally, EXBS Advisor provided Demirduzen with information concerning upcoming Export Control Conference in Bucharest which Demirduzen will attend. 6) Feb 28- EXBS Advisor along with USG nuclear forensic experts met with President of Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK),Okay Cakiroglu, to discuss various issues including test results from seized uranium, scientist-to-scientist cooperation and the upcoming visit to Cekmece Research Center. Cakiroglu noted there is a long history of cooperation between the U.S. and Turkey and that the cooperation in analyzing the seized LEU has been beneficial to all. Cakiroglu welcomed the opportunity for additional areas of cooperation with the U.S. EXBS Advisor inquired on the status of the CIT course curriculum and schedule for upcoming events. Cakiroglu responded that his staff is coordinating with Customs on completing the CIT course and that they hope to schedule the Pilot course in April. Cakiroglu restated his hopes to eventually be able to add the CIT course to the list of courses which are presented to the many other international students that come to TAEK for training. ¶B. Training Conducted During Reporting Period: 1) Feb 26 - 27 - Nuclear Smuggling Workshop conducted in Ankara by experts from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for 38 Turkish National Police officials from 30 field offices throughout Turkey. This workshop was part of TNP efforts to raise the awareness of its field officers to the increasing threat from illicit nuclear trafficking and to build on cooperation with the USG in these efforts. This workshop focused on providing non-technical briefings about current nuclear smuggling threats and methods for combating smuggling for the TNP. The briefings increased the TNP's understanding of the various threats and methods used to combat nuclear smuggling. The information was well received by the participants. Following the workshop, it was recommended by the TNP leadership that this event be held annually to share new experience gained by not only the USG but also by the TNP. ¶C. Equipment Delivered During Reporting Period: None ¶D. Imminent Training or Equipment Status Update: 1) March 26- 30- International Border Interdiction Training. Sixteen Turkish Customs Officials will travel to MacAllen Texas to participate in this training being conducted by CBP. ¶E. Significant Developments in Export Controls, Nonproliferation, or Related Border Security: None ¶3. Future Activities ¶A. Mar 1- 2 - Working level meeting between U.S. and TAEK nuclear forensic experts. ¶B. Mar 5-8 - Turkish delegation to attend 8th Annual Export Controls Conference in Bucharest, Romania. ¶C. Mar 9 -19 - EXBS Advisor DC consultations and leave in States. ¶D. Mar 26- 30- International Border Interdiction Training in McAllen, Texas for 16 Turkish Customs Officials. ¶E. Mar 28-29- Wisconsin Project Team visit to Ankara to present information on Risk Report Data Base. ¶F. Apr (proposed)- First CIT Pilot Course conducted by Turkish instructors with assistance by INECP personnel. ¶G. May (proposed) - Visit by CBP Training Expert to develop course of action to support development of Turkish ANKARA 00000525 003 OF 003 Customs Officer Academy. ¶4. Red Flag Issues: None ¶5. Contact Information for EXBS Advisor ) Kevin Lyon, phone (90)(312) 455-5555 ext 2525, fax (90)(312) 468-4775, email LyonK@state.gov. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON