Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ANKARA1721
2008-09-26 13:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKS INTERESTED BUT CAUTIOUS IN FURTHERING EXPORT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0004 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHAK #1721/01 2701325 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 261325Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7576 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 1337 RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI PRIORITY 3192 RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHDC PRIORITY RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/DTRA ALEX WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001721
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV TU EXBS
SUBJECT: TURKS INTERESTED BUT CAUTIOUS IN FURTHERING EXPORT
CONTROL AND BORDER SECURITY COOPERATION WITH US
REF: ANKARA 950
Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor A. Godfrey, Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001721
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV TU EXBS
SUBJECT: TURKS INTERESTED BUT CAUTIOUS IN FURTHERING EXPORT
CONTROL AND BORDER SECURITY COOPERATION WITH US
REF: ANKARA 950
Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor A. Godfrey, Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (SBU) Summary: A 17-18 September 2008 Seminar co-sponsored
by the EXBS program (State ISN/ECC) and the Turkish MFA
highlighted opportunities for bilateral cooperation to
strengthen Turkey's nonproliferation regime and engage with
Turkey in outreach to promote stronger nonproliferation
efforts in the region. MFA DDG for Nonproliferation Ahmet
Muhtar Gun welcomed the US presentations, pledged to conduct
an internal "needs assessment" to deconflict activities
Turkey is undertaking with the EU, and promised a GOT
interagency-agreed response to the various areas of possible
engagement with the US. Gun emphasized the need for timely
and accurate intelligence to ensure effective coordination in
cases involving sensitive shipments, and urged the U.S. to
press countries of origin to do more to prevent the shipment
of proliferation-sensitive goods. End Summary.
Seminar Reinvigorates Nonproliferation Cooperation
-------------- --------------
2. (SBU) The 17-18 September EXBS seminar, co-sponsored by
the International Security and Nonproliferation Bureau's
Office of Export Control Cooperation (ISN/ECC) and the
Turkish MFA, brought together fifteen US and over thirty
Turkish officials with nonproliferation, export control and
border security responsibilities. The seminar provided an
opportunity following the conclusion of the bilateral
nonproliferation agreement in June to present to the GOT
interagency an overview of the EXBS program as well as other
USG efforts to support international nonproliferation
cooperation.
3. (SBU) MFA Deputy U/S Unal Cevikoz, who made opening
statements along with the Ambassador, emphasized that the
threats of terrorism and proliferation cannot be fought alone
in a post-9/11 world. He said that Turkey needs to adopt a
multilateral, holistic, and comprehensive approach to these
challenges. He welcomed the conclusion of the Peaceful Uses
of Nuclear Energy (or 123) Agreement and the bilateral
Nonproliferation Agreement and called the seminar an
invaluable opportunity for and a celebration of the
cooperation between the two governments. Cevikoz expressed
his hope that the seminar would help strengthen already
strong bilateral cooperation in this field.
Ongoing Turkish CT and NP Efforts
4. (SBU) MFA Deputy Director General A. Muhtar Gun, who
co-chaired the Seminar with ISN/ECC Director Yvette Wong,
echoed Cevikoz's remarks, stating that international
cooperation with the US, EU, NATO, OSCE and other countries
and organizations is key to counterterrorism (CT) and
nonproliferation (NP) success. He stated that Turkey views
the CT and NP challenge as going hand in hand.
5. (SBU) Gun highlighted Turkey's long-standing struggle
against terrorism and its ongoing contributions in
international counterterrorism and nonproliferation efforts.
Gun specifically noted GOT contributions to the NATO mission
in the Mediterranean under "Operation Active Endeavour" and
its presence in the Black Sea as important deterrents to
terrorism and regional proliferation. In his wrap up, Gun
took the opportunity to express hope that improved US-Turkey
intelligence sharing on the PKK threat would continue.
Passage of Export Control Legislation a Priority
-------------- ---
6. (SBU) Gun said that his immediate priority is passage of
draft legislation on foreign trade controls of dual use and
sensitive goods currently with the Turkish parliament
(reftel). He noted that even though the draft law is not yet
in force, the Turks are already taking practical actions
called for in the draft legislation, including regular
meetings of the interagency Export Control Board (ECB).
While welcoming the numerous possibilities for engagement
presented by the US side, Gun stressed that Turkey will need
some time to digest the information presented at the seminar,
and said that Turkey will evaluate these options in the
coming months, following the anticipated passage of the
Export Control law and in light of ongoing cooperation with
the EU, to determine the areas of bilateral cooperation that
will be most fruitful.
7. (SBU) Turkish officials stated that the ECB, which first
met in 2005, has streamlined the bureaucracy and led to
improved effectiveness. Gun expressed hope that the EXBS
Seminar would help reinforce Turkish interagency
coordination. The ECB, chaired by the MFA, is comprised of
representatives from the Ministry of National Defense,
Customs Directorate, National Intelligence Agency,
Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade (UFT),Ministry of Justice,
Turkish National Police, Turkish Atomic Energy Authority
(TAEK),and other relevant agencies (see reftel for ECB's
role).
8. (SBU) Working-level Turkish officials from UFT, the
Customs Directorate, and TAEK briefed the US delegation on
ongoing Turkish efforts to fight terrorism and proliferation,
and noted the extensive history of working with US agencies
in strengthening their work. In its presentation, UFT
highlighted their outreach to industry as a key component of
their success in improving export control, and credited the
US with assistance in Turkey's indigenous efforts to develop
a commodity identification training program for customs
officials. Turkish Customs noted the extensive work Turkey
has already undertaken with the EU to ensure that Turkey's
standards and practices were in line with EU standards as
part of Turkey's participation in the EU Customs Union,
including the placement of a network of x-ray equipment on
all major border crossings with EU funding. Participating
officials from both countries eagerly absorbed the
information presented at the seminar on how their counterpart
agencies do business in the export control area.
Call for Better Intel, More Equal Burden Sharing
-------------- ---
9. (C) Throughout the course of the presentation, Gun noted
the need for timely, accurate intelligence to allow Turkey to
support US requests to stop proliferation-sensitive
shipments. He also claimed repeatedly that Turkey does not
produce high-end proliferation-sensitive technology, but has
worked hard to prevent the transit of such technology from EU
countries to countries of concern. Citing examples of EU
countries asking Turkey to take action when there were
opportunities to prevent problematic shipments while they
were still in the EU, Gun urged the U.S. to do more to
prevent such shipments at the country of origin, and called
for more equal burden sharing in this effort.
US: Ready for More Intensive Bilateral Non-Pro Engagement
-------------- --------------
10. (SBU) In opening remarks, Ambassador Wilson echoed
Cevikoz's comments on the entry into force of the 123
Agreement and hoped that the Seminar would help strengthen
already strong bilateral cooperation on nonproliferation
matters. The Ambassador noted that broad US interagency
participation in the seminar reflected the importance the US
attached to an intensified partnership. ISN/ECC Director
Wong underlined US interest in receiving Turkish agencies'
comments on US agency program presentations and in lauching
an active dialogue about potention nonproliferation-related
joint activites under EXBS and related programs as presented
by the US interagency.
Comment: The Way Forward
--------------
11. (C) We consider the seminar a successful first step in
reinvigorating US-Turkey cooperation on export controls,
border security, and nonproliferation more broadly. MFA's
co-sponsorship of and the number of Turkish official
participating in the seminar reflects a new willingness to
work with the U.S. on a bilateral basis on nonproliferation
issues; this development became possible in large part due to
the approval of the 123 Agreement in June and the overall
improvement in bilateral relations since the commencement of
intelligence sharing against the PKK. We anticipate the GOT
will continue to focus its export control and border security
efforts on harmonization with EU standards and practices, and
will look to US programs as a means to supplement this work.
As Turkey prepares to assume a seat in the IAEA Board of
Governors in October, the proposed bilateral nonproliferation
consultations at the DAS or acting Assistant Secretary level
this fall would be a useful next step in our engagement.
12. (SBU) Participants:
Turkey delegation:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
-A. Muhtar Gun, Minister-Plenipotentiary Deputy Director
General
-Elif Comoglu Ulgen, Head of Department
-Ozkan Ilhan, Attache
TAEK
-Aysun Yucel, Head of Nuclear Safety Department
-Anil Bolme, Head of Technology Department
-Ugur Bezdegumeli, Expert
-Metin Koksal, Expert
-Hayri Akbiyik, Expert
-Muhammed Barik, Expert
-Nilgun Gerceker, Expert
-Belgin Onat, Expert
-Burcin Okyar, Expert
Customs Undersecretariat
-Ender Gurleyik, Head of Office of Customs Enforcement
-Mesut Ugur, Chief of Section
-M. Fatih Karabulut, Assistant Customs Expert
-Mehmet Uylukcu, Expert-Customs Directorate General
-Adem Ogultarhan, Expert-Customs Directorate General
-Ibrahim Atasoy, Expert-Customs Directorate General
Turkish National Police
-Kanbi Apaydin, Superintendent
-Zafer Akkus, Superintendent
-Mehmet Yucel Karahasanoglu, Superintendent
-Erdal Argin, Inspector
Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade
-Cigdem Samiloglu Erkoc, Expert
-Hacim Kosaoglu, Engineer
Prime Ministry Security Affairs
-Huseyin Yildiz, Expert
-Yasin Albayrak, Assistant Expert
-Sezgin Hatipoglu, Assistant Expert
National Intelligence Agency
-Murat Tukel, Expert
Turkish General Staff
-Lt. Colonel Hakan Ozbulbul, Officer
-Asude Guler, Expert
Ministry of National Defense
-Muammer Kosaci, Expert
-Aygul Yumurtaci, Expert
Coast Guard
-Captain Tayfun Sargin, Officer
US delegation:
-Yvette Wong, ISN/ECC Director Office of Export Control
Cooperation
-Brett Golden, ISN/ECC Program Manager for Caucasus and Black
Sea
-Rebecca Joyce, DOC/BIS Executive Officer, Office of
Nonproliferation and Treaty Compliance
-Loretta Weiss, DOE/INECP Loas Alamos National Laboratory
-Bobby Picket, DHS/CBP EXPS Program Manager and North African
Regional Team Lead
-Shewit Habtemichael, DHS/USCG Non-Proliferation Programs
Manager
-Eric Deschler, DOE/SLD Project Manager
-Jake Mentz, ISN/NESS Foreign Affairs Officer
-Lt. Colonel Bryan Lee, DOD/DTRA Chief Counterproliferation
Branch
-Lt. Colonel Stephen Bruce, DOD/DTRA Chief Strategy Section,
Security Cooperation Branch
-Brent Eastman, ISN/WMDT National Security Analyst
-Dave Froman, EUR/ACE Security and Law Enforcement Officer
-Jim Stitzel, DHS/ICE
-Jane Purcell, ISN/CPI
-Chris Rich, Deputy Chief/Political-Military Affairs Section,
US Embassy Ankara
-Robert Cieslinski, EXBS Advisor, US Embassy Ankara
-Robert Lee, Political-Military Affairs Section, US Embassy
Ankara
-Kevin Cummings, TDY EXBS Advisor, US Embassy Ankara
-Kris Keele, Political-Military Affairs Section, US Embassy
Ankara
-Christian Oslund, Political-Military Affairs Section, US
Embassy Ankara
-Erhan Mert, EXBS Coordinator, US Embassy Ankara
13. (SBU) ISN/ECC has cleared this telegram.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey
WILSON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV TU EXBS
SUBJECT: TURKS INTERESTED BUT CAUTIOUS IN FURTHERING EXPORT
CONTROL AND BORDER SECURITY COOPERATION WITH US
REF: ANKARA 950
Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor A. Godfrey, Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (SBU) Summary: A 17-18 September 2008 Seminar co-sponsored
by the EXBS program (State ISN/ECC) and the Turkish MFA
highlighted opportunities for bilateral cooperation to
strengthen Turkey's nonproliferation regime and engage with
Turkey in outreach to promote stronger nonproliferation
efforts in the region. MFA DDG for Nonproliferation Ahmet
Muhtar Gun welcomed the US presentations, pledged to conduct
an internal "needs assessment" to deconflict activities
Turkey is undertaking with the EU, and promised a GOT
interagency-agreed response to the various areas of possible
engagement with the US. Gun emphasized the need for timely
and accurate intelligence to ensure effective coordination in
cases involving sensitive shipments, and urged the U.S. to
press countries of origin to do more to prevent the shipment
of proliferation-sensitive goods. End Summary.
Seminar Reinvigorates Nonproliferation Cooperation
-------------- --------------
2. (SBU) The 17-18 September EXBS seminar, co-sponsored by
the International Security and Nonproliferation Bureau's
Office of Export Control Cooperation (ISN/ECC) and the
Turkish MFA, brought together fifteen US and over thirty
Turkish officials with nonproliferation, export control and
border security responsibilities. The seminar provided an
opportunity following the conclusion of the bilateral
nonproliferation agreement in June to present to the GOT
interagency an overview of the EXBS program as well as other
USG efforts to support international nonproliferation
cooperation.
3. (SBU) MFA Deputy U/S Unal Cevikoz, who made opening
statements along with the Ambassador, emphasized that the
threats of terrorism and proliferation cannot be fought alone
in a post-9/11 world. He said that Turkey needs to adopt a
multilateral, holistic, and comprehensive approach to these
challenges. He welcomed the conclusion of the Peaceful Uses
of Nuclear Energy (or 123) Agreement and the bilateral
Nonproliferation Agreement and called the seminar an
invaluable opportunity for and a celebration of the
cooperation between the two governments. Cevikoz expressed
his hope that the seminar would help strengthen already
strong bilateral cooperation in this field.
Ongoing Turkish CT and NP Efforts
4. (SBU) MFA Deputy Director General A. Muhtar Gun, who
co-chaired the Seminar with ISN/ECC Director Yvette Wong,
echoed Cevikoz's remarks, stating that international
cooperation with the US, EU, NATO, OSCE and other countries
and organizations is key to counterterrorism (CT) and
nonproliferation (NP) success. He stated that Turkey views
the CT and NP challenge as going hand in hand.
5. (SBU) Gun highlighted Turkey's long-standing struggle
against terrorism and its ongoing contributions in
international counterterrorism and nonproliferation efforts.
Gun specifically noted GOT contributions to the NATO mission
in the Mediterranean under "Operation Active Endeavour" and
its presence in the Black Sea as important deterrents to
terrorism and regional proliferation. In his wrap up, Gun
took the opportunity to express hope that improved US-Turkey
intelligence sharing on the PKK threat would continue.
Passage of Export Control Legislation a Priority
-------------- ---
6. (SBU) Gun said that his immediate priority is passage of
draft legislation on foreign trade controls of dual use and
sensitive goods currently with the Turkish parliament
(reftel). He noted that even though the draft law is not yet
in force, the Turks are already taking practical actions
called for in the draft legislation, including regular
meetings of the interagency Export Control Board (ECB).
While welcoming the numerous possibilities for engagement
presented by the US side, Gun stressed that Turkey will need
some time to digest the information presented at the seminar,
and said that Turkey will evaluate these options in the
coming months, following the anticipated passage of the
Export Control law and in light of ongoing cooperation with
the EU, to determine the areas of bilateral cooperation that
will be most fruitful.
7. (SBU) Turkish officials stated that the ECB, which first
met in 2005, has streamlined the bureaucracy and led to
improved effectiveness. Gun expressed hope that the EXBS
Seminar would help reinforce Turkish interagency
coordination. The ECB, chaired by the MFA, is comprised of
representatives from the Ministry of National Defense,
Customs Directorate, National Intelligence Agency,
Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade (UFT),Ministry of Justice,
Turkish National Police, Turkish Atomic Energy Authority
(TAEK),and other relevant agencies (see reftel for ECB's
role).
8. (SBU) Working-level Turkish officials from UFT, the
Customs Directorate, and TAEK briefed the US delegation on
ongoing Turkish efforts to fight terrorism and proliferation,
and noted the extensive history of working with US agencies
in strengthening their work. In its presentation, UFT
highlighted their outreach to industry as a key component of
their success in improving export control, and credited the
US with assistance in Turkey's indigenous efforts to develop
a commodity identification training program for customs
officials. Turkish Customs noted the extensive work Turkey
has already undertaken with the EU to ensure that Turkey's
standards and practices were in line with EU standards as
part of Turkey's participation in the EU Customs Union,
including the placement of a network of x-ray equipment on
all major border crossings with EU funding. Participating
officials from both countries eagerly absorbed the
information presented at the seminar on how their counterpart
agencies do business in the export control area.
Call for Better Intel, More Equal Burden Sharing
-------------- ---
9. (C) Throughout the course of the presentation, Gun noted
the need for timely, accurate intelligence to allow Turkey to
support US requests to stop proliferation-sensitive
shipments. He also claimed repeatedly that Turkey does not
produce high-end proliferation-sensitive technology, but has
worked hard to prevent the transit of such technology from EU
countries to countries of concern. Citing examples of EU
countries asking Turkey to take action when there were
opportunities to prevent problematic shipments while they
were still in the EU, Gun urged the U.S. to do more to
prevent such shipments at the country of origin, and called
for more equal burden sharing in this effort.
US: Ready for More Intensive Bilateral Non-Pro Engagement
-------------- --------------
10. (SBU) In opening remarks, Ambassador Wilson echoed
Cevikoz's comments on the entry into force of the 123
Agreement and hoped that the Seminar would help strengthen
already strong bilateral cooperation on nonproliferation
matters. The Ambassador noted that broad US interagency
participation in the seminar reflected the importance the US
attached to an intensified partnership. ISN/ECC Director
Wong underlined US interest in receiving Turkish agencies'
comments on US agency program presentations and in lauching
an active dialogue about potention nonproliferation-related
joint activites under EXBS and related programs as presented
by the US interagency.
Comment: The Way Forward
--------------
11. (C) We consider the seminar a successful first step in
reinvigorating US-Turkey cooperation on export controls,
border security, and nonproliferation more broadly. MFA's
co-sponsorship of and the number of Turkish official
participating in the seminar reflects a new willingness to
work with the U.S. on a bilateral basis on nonproliferation
issues; this development became possible in large part due to
the approval of the 123 Agreement in June and the overall
improvement in bilateral relations since the commencement of
intelligence sharing against the PKK. We anticipate the GOT
will continue to focus its export control and border security
efforts on harmonization with EU standards and practices, and
will look to US programs as a means to supplement this work.
As Turkey prepares to assume a seat in the IAEA Board of
Governors in October, the proposed bilateral nonproliferation
consultations at the DAS or acting Assistant Secretary level
this fall would be a useful next step in our engagement.
12. (SBU) Participants:
Turkey delegation:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
-A. Muhtar Gun, Minister-Plenipotentiary Deputy Director
General
-Elif Comoglu Ulgen, Head of Department
-Ozkan Ilhan, Attache
TAEK
-Aysun Yucel, Head of Nuclear Safety Department
-Anil Bolme, Head of Technology Department
-Ugur Bezdegumeli, Expert
-Metin Koksal, Expert
-Hayri Akbiyik, Expert
-Muhammed Barik, Expert
-Nilgun Gerceker, Expert
-Belgin Onat, Expert
-Burcin Okyar, Expert
Customs Undersecretariat
-Ender Gurleyik, Head of Office of Customs Enforcement
-Mesut Ugur, Chief of Section
-M. Fatih Karabulut, Assistant Customs Expert
-Mehmet Uylukcu, Expert-Customs Directorate General
-Adem Ogultarhan, Expert-Customs Directorate General
-Ibrahim Atasoy, Expert-Customs Directorate General
Turkish National Police
-Kanbi Apaydin, Superintendent
-Zafer Akkus, Superintendent
-Mehmet Yucel Karahasanoglu, Superintendent
-Erdal Argin, Inspector
Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade
-Cigdem Samiloglu Erkoc, Expert
-Hacim Kosaoglu, Engineer
Prime Ministry Security Affairs
-Huseyin Yildiz, Expert
-Yasin Albayrak, Assistant Expert
-Sezgin Hatipoglu, Assistant Expert
National Intelligence Agency
-Murat Tukel, Expert
Turkish General Staff
-Lt. Colonel Hakan Ozbulbul, Officer
-Asude Guler, Expert
Ministry of National Defense
-Muammer Kosaci, Expert
-Aygul Yumurtaci, Expert
Coast Guard
-Captain Tayfun Sargin, Officer
US delegation:
-Yvette Wong, ISN/ECC Director Office of Export Control
Cooperation
-Brett Golden, ISN/ECC Program Manager for Caucasus and Black
Sea
-Rebecca Joyce, DOC/BIS Executive Officer, Office of
Nonproliferation and Treaty Compliance
-Loretta Weiss, DOE/INECP Loas Alamos National Laboratory
-Bobby Picket, DHS/CBP EXPS Program Manager and North African
Regional Team Lead
-Shewit Habtemichael, DHS/USCG Non-Proliferation Programs
Manager
-Eric Deschler, DOE/SLD Project Manager
-Jake Mentz, ISN/NESS Foreign Affairs Officer
-Lt. Colonel Bryan Lee, DOD/DTRA Chief Counterproliferation
Branch
-Lt. Colonel Stephen Bruce, DOD/DTRA Chief Strategy Section,
Security Cooperation Branch
-Brent Eastman, ISN/WMDT National Security Analyst
-Dave Froman, EUR/ACE Security and Law Enforcement Officer
-Jim Stitzel, DHS/ICE
-Jane Purcell, ISN/CPI
-Chris Rich, Deputy Chief/Political-Military Affairs Section,
US Embassy Ankara
-Robert Cieslinski, EXBS Advisor, US Embassy Ankara
-Robert Lee, Political-Military Affairs Section, US Embassy
Ankara
-Kevin Cummings, TDY EXBS Advisor, US Embassy Ankara
-Kris Keele, Political-Military Affairs Section, US Embassy
Ankara
-Christian Oslund, Political-Military Affairs Section, US
Embassy Ankara
-Erhan Mert, EXBS Coordinator, US Embassy Ankara
13. (SBU) ISN/ECC has cleared this telegram.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey
WILSON