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

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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.


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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