EXBS: TURKEY ADVISORS MONTHLY REPORT- (JUNE 2008)

UNCLAS ANKARA 001238 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NP/ECC- YWONG, ACHURCH, BGOLDEN DEPT FOR EUR/ACE- DSILLIMAN, BHUNT, PMALIK DOE/NNSA- TPERRY, LPARKER, EDESCHLER CBP/INA- BWATTS, BPICKETT DOC FOR DCREED E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TU SUBJECT: EXBS: TURKEY ADVISORS MONTHLY REPORT- (JUNE 2008) ¶1. (U) Summary: EXBS Advisor and Coordinator attended annual EXBS Advisor Conference in Washington DC June 9th-13th, 2008. EXBS's long awaited Nonproliferation Agreement was placed into force on June 9th, 2008 by GOT. MFA agrees to co-host a joint EXBS Nonproliferation Seminar in Ankara in September - October time frame. End Summary. ¶2. (U) Completed Actions for the Reporting Period: ¶A. Meetings During Recent Reporting Period by EXBS Advisor and Coordinator: 1) (U) June 9-13 - EXBS Advisor and Coordinator attended annual EXBS Advisor's conference in Washington, DC. In addition to general country program reviews by each Advisor, briefings by ISN/ECC program managers, and interagency representatives on EXBS related initiatives, the group also toured DHS's National Targeting Center for Cargo in Reston, VA. 2) (SBU) June 23 - Met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Department Head for Nonproliferation and Disarmament, Ms. Elif Ulgen to discuss upcoming EXBS activities, now that the NP Agreement has been placed into force on June 9th, 2008. We discussed the need to proceed with EXBS Team border visits, follow through with enforcement related equipment deliveries to Customs Enforcement, begin in-country training programs to include DHS/ICE Controlled delivery and DHS/CBP International Border Interdiction training (IBIT II and IRIT II),re-engage in Commodity Identification Training (CIT) program collaboration, and proceed with previously scheduled DOE/SLD radiation detection equipment delivery and training with TNP's Bomb Disposal Academy. Ulgen agreed that all initiatives would receive MFA's full support and that MFA was comfortable with EXBS team traveling to the northwestern border areas in mid-July time frame. We also discussed moving ahead with the EXBS Nonproliferation Seminar between GOT and US interagency partners. Ulgen noted that GOT has begun regular interagency meetings with nonproliferation related agencies and that they would begin conducting internal border assessments of GOT's capacities and requirements for presentation at this seminar, which she believed could take place in early October. Advisor noted a desire to hold this seminar in Ankara as early as the first full week of September, but agreed to look at the best dates for both US and GOT agencies. Ulgen confirmed MFA would like to host the seminar on-site at MFA. Ulgen noted that MFA is seeking to take a measured approach with implementing the EXBS and other nonproliferation related programs, as moving too fast may result in increased resistance to implementation of EXBS program goals by some GOT agencies. ¶B. (U) Training Conducted During this Reporting Period: - None this period. ¶C. (U) Equipment Delivered During this Reporting Period: None this period. ¶D. (U) Imminent Training or Equipment Status Update: MFA has confirmed that DOE/SLD Radiation Detection training for TNP's Bomb Disposal Academy can be conducted from August 18th - 29th, 2008. ¶E. (U) Significant Developments in Export Controls, Nonproliferation, or Related Border Security: None this period. ¶3. (U) Future Activities: EXBS Advisor and Coordinator are scheduled to visit Turkey's Ports of Entry with Bulgarian and Greece the week of July 15th, 2008. ¶4. (U) Red Flag Issues: None. ¶5. (U) Contact information for EXBS Program Ankara is: Robert Cieslinski, EXBS Advisor, Email: CieslinskiRL@state.gov, Office (90) (312) 457-7210, Cell (90) (533) 716-4808 and Erhan Mert, EXBS Coordinator, Email: MertE2@state.gov, Office(90)312 457-7059, Cell (90) (533) 264-8407. EXBS Program Office Fax (90) (312) 468-4775. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey WILSON