TURKEY CONSIDERING REQUEST TO INSPECT SYRIA BOUND

S E C R E T ANKARA 000199 SIPDIS INFO AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY BEIJING IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY BISHKEK IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY KABUL IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY TASHKENT IMMEDIATE SIPDIS ISN/CPI FOR ZARTMAN; EUR/PRA FOR FRIEDT; EAP/CM: HIGGINS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2037 TAGS: PREL PARM ETTC TU IR KN SUBJECT: TURKEY CONSIDERING REQUEST TO INSPECT SYRIA BOUND FLIGHT OF PROLIFERATION CONCERN FROM DPRK REF: SECSTATE 010930 Classified By: Acting Pol-Mil Counselor Robert Lee, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (S) We delivered reftel paper to MFA Deputy Director General for Nonproliferation and Disarmament Ahmet Muhtar Gun, and Head of Department for Aviation Affairs Hamit Olcay on February 4. Both Gun and Olcay expressed appreciation for the advanced notification and the detailed information regarding the flight. Both pledged to review the information and brief their superiors. ¶2. (S) Given the detailed information provided and the fact that North Korea had attempted to use such flights to provide Syria with missile-related goods and equipment subject to sanctions in the past, Olcay thought the GOT would in all likelihood respond positively to the request. Olcay noted he had not seen any request for a flight clearance come through involving a North Korean charter flight to Syria via Iran, noting that GOT rules require flight clearances to be filed ten days in advance of the actual flight. Olcay pledged to inform us if he receives such a request in the coming days. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey WILSON