TURKEY: NNSA DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR TOBEY PROPOSES

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001845

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE, ISN; DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY FOR TOBEY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2018
TAGS: ETTC KNNP ENRG EXBS TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: NNSA DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR TOBEY PROPOSES
CLOSER COOPERATION ON NUCLEAR SECURITY

REF: A. ANKARA 1724

B. STATE 106280

C. ANKARA 1721

Classified By: DCM Doug Silliman, Reasons 1.4 (b,d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: In October 20-21 meetings with GOT officials,
NNSA Deputy Administrator Tobey stressed NNSA,s desire to
enhance bilateral engagement on nuclear nonproliferation,
proposed possible areas of cooperation, and underscored
NNSA,s willingness to assist Turkey with the development of
indigenous nuclear portal monitors. Even as Turkey refines
its indigenous capability, Tobey suggested developing a pilot
project using equipment available under NNSA,s Second Line
of Defense (SLD) Program to ensure Turkey has the ability to
detect the most dangerous types of nuclear material crossing
its borders. GOT interlocutors emphasized Turkey,s priority
is to develop indigenous capabilities to detect nuclear
material, noted with interest NNSA,s willingness to support
this endeavor, and agreed to study Tobey,s proposal and
provide a response following a GOT interagency review. END
SUMMARY


2. (C) During separate meetings October 20-21 with Turkish
Atomic Energy Council (TAEK),the MFA, Turkish Customs, and
the Turkish National Police, National Nuclear Security
Administration (NNSA) Deputy Administrator William Tobey
emphasized NNSA,s desire to deepen engagement with Turkey
following the approval of the 123 Agreement in June 2008. He
briefed interlocutors about NNSA,s scope of work and
highlighted opportunities to deepen cooperation in SLD,
security of radiological materials, and consultations on the
development of a civilian nuclear infrastructure with an eye
toward nuclear security.

Second Line of Defense
--------------


3. (C) Tobey stressed to TAEK Vice President Ediz Tanker the
threat of nuclear smuggling in the region is real, and the US
and Turkey share an interest in ensuring Turkey is able to
detect dangerous nuclear material (e.g. plutonium, HEU)
crossing its borders. Tobey said the US wants to provide
Turkey, a close ally, with the same type of equipment that
the US uses to protect its own borders. He stated NNSA is
prepared to fund the deployment of between 250 to 300 portal
monitors at some 40 border crossings, if Turkey is interested.


4. (C) Tanker expressed appreciation for the approval of the
123 agreement and emphasized Turkey,s desire to develop its
own nuclear detection capability as a matter of priority. He
said TAEK is leading the development of this capability and
has deployed new nuclear detection monitors to almost all
land borders, replacing older equipment previously provided
by the US. When asked whether the TAEK-developed monitors
are capable of detecting neutron radiation, Tanker demurred,
stating he was not sure. Tobey expressed understanding for
Turkey,s desire to develop indigenous capabilities, and
described NNSA,s experience assisting other countries,
including China, Russia and Ukraine, in developing indigenous
technology capable of detecting special nuclear material.
Noting it is difficult to know whether the monitors are
capable of detecting special nuclear material without testing
it against appropriate sources, Tobey proposed the following
activities as possible next steps in advancing bilateral
cooperation:

-- Invite Turkish experts to Los Alamos National Laboratory
(or another facility) to observe how the US tests nuclear
detection equipment. Turkish representatives could even
bring the equipment they are developing to be tested against
neutron emitting sources to confirm whether their equipment
meets international standards.

-- Hold expert consultations on Turkey,s efforts to develop
an indigenous capability to design and produce detection
equipment. US experts could offer advice based on their
experience in supporting other countries' efforts to develop
indigenous capabilities.

-- Even as Turkey continues work on an indigenous capability,
develop a pilot project, in consultation with relevant GOT
institutions, which would allow GOT officials to see the SLD
equipment in action and evaluate its effectiveness.


5. (C) Tobey shared with MFA and TAEK a draft declaration of
principles that NNSA uses in other countries as a document

that could help frame future NNSA cooperation with GOT
entities. He asked the MFA and TAEK to review the document
and provide feedback.

Other Possibilities for Cooperation
--------------


6. (C) Tobey proposed additional areas for bilateral
cooperation, including sending NNSA experts to Turkey to
consult on the design and implementation of a civilian
nuclear infrastructure that meets international standards for
nuclear security. Tanker said this may be appropriate once
there is greater clarity on the fate of Turkey,s nuclear
power plant tender (ref b). Tobey also suggested having US
experts share their experience in enhancing security measures
for radiological sources with appropriate Turkish officials.
This exchange could be combined with site visits in which US
experts might offer their assessment and possible security
improvements. Tanker acknowledged that some sites in which
radiological sources may be present, such as hospitals, do
not have good security in place, and said TAEK will consider
this offer (Note: At the time of the meeting, TAEK had not
received ref c. paper which the embassy had transmitted to
TAEK via the MFA on October 6. Embassy will transmit the
paper directly to TAEK. End Note).

MFA Reaction
--------------


7. (C) MFA Deputy Director General Ahmet Gun expressed
satisfaction regarding the approval of the 123 Agreement, and
said a major &political and psychological barrier8 has been
lifted and that the MFA now has the necessary legal and
political basis for &full cooperation with the US on
nonproliferation issues." He offered four points in response
to Tobey,s presentation:

-- Turkey desires better intelligence sharing regarding
nonproliferation threats and activities of concern in the
region;

-- Turkey wants to see more emphasis on strengthening export
controls at the point of origin (Gun reiterated his complaint
that Turkey frequently is asked to take action to disrupt
sensitive shipments after they have left the borders of EU
states);

-- The GOT,s strategy is to reinforce its own capabilities
and accept foreign assistance on a case-by-case basis; and

-- Gun also provided a nonconfrontational, but stark
assessment that Turkey would continue to have little interest
in participating in the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear
Terrorism because of the inclusion of Cyprus.


8. (C) Gun noted with interest NNSA,s offer to support
Turkey,s indigenous production of nuclear portal monitors.
Tobey confirmed NNSA's willingness to: support Turkey's
effort in developing indigenous equipment; test the
equipment; and fund the equipment for deployment in Turkey,
and potentially in third countries if they meet international
standards. Gun said the GOT interagency export control
working group which he chairs will conduct an internal needs
assessment, and will evaluate the range of proposals
presented by Tobey and at the EXBS and Nonproliferation
Seminar (ref c.) in light of Turkey,s requirements. Gun
pledged to provide the US with a response as soon as this
evaluation process has been completed.

Enforcement Agencies Welcome Further Collaboration
-------------- --------------


9. (C) During separate meetings with Tobey, Turkish National
Police Director for Criminal Laboratories Seyit Demirci and
Turkish Customs Enforcement Deputy Director General Mehmet
Guzel both expressed appreciation for training and equipment
the SLD Program had provided in the past. Both welcomed
further cooperation with NNSA in general and the SLD Program
in particular, but stressed that broader cooperation with SLD
will require TAEK,s buy-in.


10. (U) Deputy Administrator Tobey has cleared this cable.


Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey


WILSON