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.

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WILSON