SECRETARY CHERTOFF URGES INCREASED

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 001046 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2107 TAGS: PREL PTER TU SUBJECT: SECRETARY CHERTOFF URGES INCREASED COUNTER-TERRORISM COOPERATION WITH TURKEY Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson for reasons 1.4(b),(d) ¶1. (C) Summary. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff urged more interactive and continuous counterterrorism cooperation with Turkey in May 28 meetings with senior Prime Ministry, Foreign Ministry (MFA), Interior Ministry (MOI),Justice Ministry (MOJ),Jandarma General Command, and Turkish National Police (TNP) officials. The Turks praised U.S.-Turkish cooperation and stressed Turkey's willingness to work with us more effectively. To further enhance the bilateral relationship, Secretary Chertoff invited the respective ministries to participate in Coast Guard and Border Patrol exchanges and to share best practices information on intelligence fusion methods. Secretary Chertoff punctuated his trip with a wreath laying ceremony at Anitkabir, Ataturk's mausoleum. End Summary. DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER CICEK -------------- ¶2. (C) Secretary Chertoff encouraged Turkey to consider using Advanced Passenger Information/Passenger Name Recognition (API/PNR) technology to track potential terrorists entering the country. Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek, Secretary Chertoff explained the information has been useful in U.S. efforts to identify links between terrorist organizations. He offered to help Turkey set up a similar system as a "concrete step" in counter-terrorism efforts. Cicek noted this is an area the GOT would like to work on and agreed to consider the suggestion. Since most of Turkey's terrorism is cross border in nature, Cicek posited international, not unilateral, efforts are required. He praised the cooperation between Turkey and the U.S., adding there are always additional ways we can partner in the fight against terrorism. He emphasized Turkey is ready and determined to cooperate. ¶3. (C) Calling it "serious negligence," Cicek bemoaned EU members' failure to respond to extradition requests and willingness to harbor Turkish "criminals" as asylum seekers. Turkey is counting on the U.S. to press this point with the international community. Secretary Chertoff noted extradition matters are handled by the Department of Justice, but stressed the U.S. is generally tough on asylum seekers. While the Europeans seem more realistic lately, Secretary Chertoff said U.S. officials continue to make the point that we are all in this together. He underscored the importance of tracking terrorists in Turkey, even when Turkish members are not involved or Turkey is not the target. "The ability to follow-up quickly and disrupt planning is something we all have a stake in," he said. Secretary Chertoff urged that we take the very active, ongoing, and fast interaction we now have on the PKK and seek to establish a similar, more interactive effort on al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations, along with participation in the API/PNR program. Cicek agreed intel sharing to disrupt attacks at the planning stage is essential, adding the GOT will seriously evaluate U.S. proposals. INTERIOR MINISTER ATALAY -------------- ¶4. (C) Secretary Chertoff acknowledged Turkey's losses from the PKK over the years. He expressed concern about an alliance of terror among al-Qaida, Uzbek, and Chechen groups and emphasized the importance of speed in fusing and exploiting in