EXBS: TURKEY ADVISORS MONTHLY REPORT- (DEC 2006)

UNCLAS ANKARA 000090 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR NP/ECC- PVANSON, ACHURCH, JFEENEY, 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- (DEC 2006) REF: 2004 STATE 146478 ¶1. Summary: Turkish National Police (TNP) sent two participants to an FBI-hosted WMD exercise in New York City; coordination for approval by GOT of the change out of portal monitors continued; and continued progress was made on the Internal Control Program (ICP). Finally, EXBS Advisor continued to utilized various opportunities to further explain to Turkish Parliamentarians and their advisors the importance of ratification of the U.S.- Turkish NP Cooperation Agreement, and the positive impact that the EXBS program can have in Turkey. ¶2. Completed Actions for the Reporting Period ¶A. Site Assessment and Meetings During Recent Reporting Period 1) Dec 7 - EXBS Advisor met with Customs Enforcement Deputy Director General Mehmet Guzel to discuss recent Turkish Customs activities. Guzel provided overview of new proposal to establish a Turkish Customs officer academy to standardize the training provided to new officers and as a way to provide formal refresher training to other officers. This proposal was developed following the recent indoctrination visit by Turkish Customs officials to the U.S. EXBS Advisor informed Guzel that the U.S. proposal for new portal monitor equipment instead of just parts has been submitted to MFA and is being reviewed. 2) Dec 21- EXBS Advisor met with MFA Arms Control and Disarmament First Secretary Serhan Yigit to conduct monthly update meeting on all current projects in progress in Turkey, including Internal Control Program (ICP),Commodity Identification Training (CIT),Product Identification Tool (PIT) and Second Line of Defense (SLD). EXBS advisor reviewed the meetings which have been held with various parliamentarians and advisors to promote the NP Cooperation Agreement. EXBS Advisor also proposed that consideration be given to utilization of individual grants, until the NP Cooperation Agreement has final ratification, for the current equipment which is ready for delivery to Turkey. EXBS Advisor explained that this process is utilized in other countries prior to blanket Agreements and would allow Turkish Customs-requested equipment to get into the field. Yigit stated that this process could be considered, however additional information is needed for consideration. He also raised concern that the Turkish Parliament may voice disapproval of this approach. Yigit informed EXBS Advisor that he had been contacted by UFT and that they requested a joint meeting early in January to plan for future of ICP program. Finally, Yigit stated that MFA had nearly completed its review of the proposal for replacement of the Portal Monitors and would have a reply soon. ¶B. Training Conducted During Reporting Period: 1) Dec 18- 22 - WMD Exercise Participation in New York City. An invitation was extended to the Government of Turkey the end of November to participate in the FBI-led WMD exercise in New York City. EXBS Advisor working with FBI Attach and TNP were able to identify and make all arrangements for the participation of two members of the Turkish National Police Terrorist response unit. This exercise was conducted to demonstrate to the international observers the types of actions needed in the pre-event planning stage and the post-event response stage to an apparent WMD attack on a major metropolitan area. The TNP participants found the exercise beneficial and the information obtained at the exercise will assist the TNP as it creates its own response plan. ¶C. Equipment Delivered During Reporting Period: None ¶D. Imminent Training or Equipment Status Update: None ¶E. Significant Developments in Export Controls, Nonproliferation, or Related Border Security: None ¶3. Future Activities ¶A. Feb 8-19 - EXBS Advisor DC consultations and leave in States ¶B. Feb 26- Mar 2 - Working level nuclear smuggling discussions to take place between U.S. experts and Turkish National Police and TAEK personnel. ¶C. Feb/Mar (proposed)- INECP nuclear industry outreach workshop to be conducted. ¶D. Feb/Mar (proposed)- First CIT Pilot Course conducted by Turkish instructors with assistance by INECP personnel. ¶E. Mar (proposed) - Industry - Government Forum in Istanbul. ¶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