TURKEY: ATTORNEY GENERAL MUKASEY URGES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000355 SIPDIS SIPDIS DOJ FOR DAAG BRUCE SWARTZ E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2018 TAGS: ASEC CJAN OVIP PGOV PREL PTER SNAR KCRM TU SUBJECT: TURKEY: ATTORNEY GENERAL MUKASEY URGES STRENGTHENED LAW ENFORCEMENT AND JUDICIAL COOPERATION Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson, reasons 1.4 b, d ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. Attorney General Mukasey discussed counterterrorism and law enforcement cooperation with Turkish Justice Minister Sahin and Interior Minister Atalay during his February 14-15 visit to Ankara, apparently the first official visit by a U.S. Attorney General. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to stand together in the fight against the PKK and Al Qaeda. Plans for a March U.S.-Turkey co-sponsored terrorist extradition roundtable -- to include top European prosecutors -- in Istanbul were solidified. Sahin and Atalay agreed with the Attorney General,s recommendations to form several working groups on the extra-territorial aspects of Turkey,s terrorism legislation and increasing data sharing on known terrorists. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) During a working breakfast hosted by Justice Minister Sahin, AG Mukasey offered continued U.S. support in the fight against PKK and Al Qaeda terrorism and pledged renewed efforts by U.S. prosecutors and law enforcement to strengthen the partnership with their Turkish counterparts. AG Mukasey proposed that the Ministry of Justice and Department of Justice form a working group to examine and compare terrorism legislation in Turkey and the United States to ensure that no terrorist organization, activities or plans are beyond the reach of the law. Sahin agreed. Justice Ministry U/S Kasirga further suggested an additional U.S.-Turkey working group to take up other, general issues pertaining to rule of law. ¶3. (SBU) Minister Sahin stressed the importance of the March terrorist extradition workshop to be co-sponsored by the Department of Justice, in Istanbul. This workshop will bring together chief prosecutors in Turkey and Europe. ¶4. (C) The theme of increased cooperation and joint efforts continued in the meeting between the Attorney General and Interior Minister Atalay. In addition to anti-PKK efforts, AG Mukasey asked for increased cooperation and information sharing in Al Qaeda investigations, such as the recent Gaziantep operations. AG Mukasey commended the joint efforts of the FBI and the Turkish National Police (TNP) and requested that evidence obtained from the Gaziantep searches be shared with the FBI as soon as possible. In an effort to enhance cooperation, the Attorney General urged the sharing of terrorist databases -- including biometric databases -- and suggested the Ministry of Interior and Department of Justice form a working group to examine counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics database sharing. AG Mukasey also raised an on-going Turkish investigation of a Ukrainian national who is the subject of a U.S. extradition request and sought assurances of his extradition. ¶5. (C) Atalay stated that the Ukrainian national was incarcerated and acknowledged TNP-FBI cooperation on the investigation and arrest. He agreed that database sharing working groups would be helpful and suggested we begin discussions on the framework and structure immediately. He acknowledged that sharing database information could "speed up the work" of combating terrorism and that information exchange was a priority for Turkey. ¶6. (SBU) Atalay described the challenges Turkey has faced administering court and prison security. Mukasey offered to share the U.S. Marshals, experience in this area. Atalay noted that this could be an additional topic for a working group to consider. NEXT STEPS: STRENGTHENING U.S.-TURKEY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND JUDICIAL COOPERATION -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Attorney General Mukasey,s visit has further enhanced the robust cooperation we presently share with the GOT in the fight against terrorism. Embassy Ankara and the Department of Justice will immediately begin to initiate the necessary contacts and exchanges with the Ministries of Justice and Interior to establish working groups on terrorist extradition, narcotics and related financial investigations, biometric/terrorist data sharing, court and prison security, and legislative issues. ANKARA 00000355 002 OF 002 ¶8. (U) DAAG Swartz cleared this message. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey WILSON