EXBS: TURKEY ADVISORS MONTHLY REPORT- (MAR 2007)

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000840 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR NP/ECC- PVANSON, ACHURCH, NJOHANSON DEPT FOR EUR/ACE- DSILLIMAN, BHUNT 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- (MAR 2007) REF: 2004 STATE 146478 ¶1. Summary: Two USG nuclear smuggling and forensic experts met with Turkish Atomic Energy scientists to continue cooperation on nuclear forensic review. EXBS Advisor completed mid-year program review and consultation trip to Washington DC. EXBS Advisor continued work with Turkish Customs to increase opportunities for more cooperation, including training opportunities and replacement of portal monitors at border crossing. Sixteen Customs Officials participated in the CBP International Border Interdiction Training. End Summary. ¶2. Completed Actions for the Reporting Period ¶A. Site Assessment and Meetings During Recent Reporting Period 1) Mar 2 - EXBS Advisor coordinated and attended meeting between Turkish Nuclear Experts at Cekmece Research Center and U.S. Nuclear Experts from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory The meeting was a follow-up to the 2006 meetings concerning forensic testing of LEU seized by Turkish National Police in 2005. The U.S. and Turkish Atomic Energy Authority have been cooperating in attempts to determine the origin of the LEU and possible route/method by which it could have been brought to Turkey. Also discussed were latest advances in nuclear forensic testing and additional areas of cooperation. 2) Mar 6 - EXBS Advisor met with Customs Enforcement Deputy Director General Mehmet Guzel to finalize the planning for the Turkish Customs delegation which will participate in the International Border Interdiction Training later in the month. EXBS Advisor also discussed dates for a visit by a CBP training expert to begin coordination with Turkish Customs in the development of their new training academy. Guzel informed EXBS Advisor that this project has created increased interest through Turkish Customs and that it has shifted to the External Affairs Directorate for coordination. Finally, EXBS Advisor reviewed the status of the equipment which is ready for delivery to Turkey for use by Turkish Customs and awaiting final implementation procedures by the GOT for shipping. 3) Mar 8- 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),Commodity Identification Training (CIT) and Second Line of Defense (SLD). EXBS Advisor updated Yigit on activities that are being planned with Turkish Foreign Trade Undersecretariat concerning the ICP projects and also the training that Turkish Customs officials will attend in McAllen Texas. Yigit commented that, while this increased cooperation between US and Turkey is beneficial, we should be aware that the GOT must complete the implementation law for the NP Agreement before we can fully engage in all activities covered by the Agreement. EXBS Advisor agreed and informed Yigit that all activities planned are either general in nature or assist in preparing for full engagement in the near future. 4) Mar 13- 14- EXBS Advisor conducted program consultations in Washington DC with representatives from ISN/ECC, ISN/CPI, ISN/CTR, DOE/INECP, DOE/SLD, CBP and DOC personnel. EXBS Advisor provided updates on program and all projects underway in Turkey, along with planning for future activities. ISN/ECC reviewed planning for future projects and development of a proposed schedule of activities to increase engagement with Turkey following the ratification of the NP Cooperation Agreement. 5) Mar 21 - EXBS Advisor met with MFA Arms Control and Disarmament Head of Department Serhan Yigit to review information from DC consultations and to begin scheduling for upcoming events, including Wisconsin Risk Report review, High Level Nuclear Smuggling discussions and DOE meetings with TAEK. Yigit stated while MFA is prepared to move forward ANKARA 00000840 002 OF 003 with several of the EXBS projects, there is still some concern about getting too far in front of the Prime Ministry as it completes the law required to implement the NP Cooperation Agreement. Once this required law is completed, the NP Agreement will be in force and all programs can move forward. Yigit did emphasize that MFA supports the efforts to provide new SLD equipment to replace the currently installed equipment and that they have notified Turkish Customs of this fact. 6) Mar 22- 23 - EXBS Advisor conducted departure briefing with Turkish Customs delegation traveling to the United States to participate in the International Border Interdiction Training in McAllen Texas. 7) Mar 26 - EXBS Advisor met with Customs Enforcement Deputy Director General Mehmet Guzel to further discuss the proposed training opportunities for Turkish Customs officials with CBP. EXBS Advisor presented an invitation for Turkish officials to participate in the International Rail Interdiction Training in June and also began planning for a land based Targeting and Risk Management workshop in July. Guzel informed EXBS Advisor that they desire to hold the workshop in Ankara, which would allow participation by some HQ personnel as well as field officials and that the Customs Processing Center could be utilized for the practical exercises. EXBS Advisor agreed with the idea and stated they would now need to establish a location for the classroom discussions and housing of participants. EXBS Advisor met with new Customs Enforcement Director General Hayrettin Cevher. EXBS Advisor outlined the EXBS program and the upcoming cooperation events that are scheduled for this year including CBP International Interdiction Training, Targeting and Risk Management Workshop and SLD upgrades to portal monitors. Finally, EXBS Advisor reviewed equipment that was ready to be delivered to Turkey for Turkish Customs and stressed to Cevher the importance of quickly completing the Implementation Law for the NP Cooperation Agreement. Cevher added that he looks forward to increased cooperation with the United States in the fight against those that want to carry out illegal activities. ¶B. Training Conducted During Reporting Period: 1) Mar 26- 30- International Border Interdiction Training in McAllen, Texas for 16 Turkish Customs Officials. ¶C. Equipment Delivered During Reporting Period: None ¶D. Imminent Training or Equipment Status Update: 1) ICP Instructor Training to take place in Ankara for 3 Foreign Trade and 2 Istanbul Mineral and Metal Association officials. These officials will be responsible for the training of industry internal control officials. ¶E. Significant Developments in Export Controls, Nonproliferation, or Related Border Security: None ¶3. Future Activities ¶A. Apr - 24- 25 - Wisconsin Risk Report Presentation to Government of Turkey Representatives. ¶B. Apr 27 (proposed) - High Level Nuclear Smuggling Discussions with Government of Turkey Representatives, Ankara. ¶C. Apr 30- May 4 - ICP Instructor Training, Ankara. ¶D. June (proposed) - Visit by CBP Training Expert to develop course of action to support development of Turkish Customs Officer Academy. ¶E. Jun 8-17 - Turkish Customs Officers to attend International Rail Interdiction Training Course, El Paso, Texas. ANKARA 00000840 003 OF 003 ¶F. Jul 8-14 - CBP to conduct Land Based Targeting and Risk Management Course, Ankara. ¶G. Jul 20 - 28 - Turkish Customs Officers to attend International Air Cargo Interdiction Training Course, New York, NY. ¶H. Sep 7 -15 - Turkish Customs Officers to attend International Sea Port Interdiction Training Course, Charleston, SC. ¶4. Red Flag Issues: None ¶5. Contact Information for EXBS Adviser ) 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