EXBS: TURKEY ADVISORS MONTHLY REPORT- (MARCH 2008)

UNCLAS ANKARA 000731

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NP/ECC- YWONG, ACHURCH, BGOLDEN
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE- DSILLIMAN, BHUNT, PMALIK
DOE/NNSA- TPERRY, LPARKER, EDESCHLER
CBP/INA- BWATTS, BPICKETT
DOC FOR DCREED

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TU
SUBJECT: EXBS: TURKEY ADVISORS MONTHLY REPORT- (MARCH 2008)



1. Summary: The EXBS Program advisor met with Turkish
Customs officials to review proposed CBP offered training in
anticipation of the EXBS Agreement going into force. EXBS
team completed preparations for DHS/CBP's Z-Backscatter Van
(ZBV) training for Turkish Customs, which began on April 10.
CT-30 Inspection kits have been delivered to Customs
Enforcement and transferred to high traffic Ports of Entry
throughout Turkey.


2. Completed Actions for the Reporting Period


A. Meetings During Recent Reporting Period

1) March 10 - Met w/ Undersecretariat of Customs, Training
and EU Accession Harmonization staff members Deniz Atasoy and
Sevil Karaca. We reviewed previously delivered descriptions
of DHS/CBP course offerings and discussed the need to
progress with the training review of Turkish Customs
accession and on-the-job training programs. The Director
General of External Affairs advised them that he would like
to have Turkish Customs and Customs Enforcement agents attend
both in-country and U.S.- based IBIT, ISIT, IACIT and IRIT
courses over the next twelve months, if possible. We agreed
to move forward on determining availability of EXBS funding
and DHS/CBP availability of courses and deployable training
teams. Once confirmed, Turkish Customs, in conjunction with
EXBS and DHS/CBP, will prepare a multi-year training plan for
DHS/CBP and ICE training programs. We also confirmed that
any in-country courses will need to be scheduled to occur
after the EXBS Nonproliferation agreement is placed into
force.

2) EXBS Advisor was on annual leave and held consultations in
Washington from March 12 to April 3. While in DC, advisor
meet with Brett Golden in DOS ISN/ECC, LaReinna Parker with
DOE/INECP, Carson Kuo in ISN/NTOC, and Sharon Mark and Bobby
Pickett at DHS/CBP.


B. Training Conducted During this Reporting Period: - Three
GOT officials attended the March 31 - April 11 session of
University of Georgia's Export Control Academy in Athens,
Georgia, as noted in February's monthly cable. The EXBS
Coordinator also attended the first week of this training as
part of his professional development plan.


C. Equipment Delivered During this Reporting Period:
8 CT-30 Kits and 200 Gerber tool kits w/flashlights where
delivered to Customs Enforcement on March 5. These kits
where shipped directly to Custom Ports of Entry at seven
border crossings and one will be maintained at their
smuggling interdiction team in Ankara.


D. Imminent Training or Equipment Status Update:

1) A DHS/CBP team from Miami, FL arrived in Ankara on April
8 and began provide Customs Enforcement with a 8-day course
on operational use of the newly delivered AS&E Z-Backscatter
Van. Training thus far is going well with a lot of
interaction from both CBP and Turkish Custom Enforcement
officers.


E. Significant Developments in Export Controls,
Nonproliferation, or Related Border Security: None.


3. Future Activities: EXBS Advisor and coordinator will be
attending a Border Control workshop in Ankara at the
Partnership for Peace Training Academy on April 23. This
course is being provided by Turkish General Staff (TGS) and
DHS/CBP will have one Customs officer present during this
workshop.


4. Red Flag Issues: None.


5. Contact information for EXBS Program Ankara is: Robert
Cieslinski, EXBS Advisor, Email: CieslinskiRL@state.gov,
Office (90) (312) 457-7210, Cell (90) (533) 716-4808 and
Erhan Mert, EXBS Coordinator, Email: MertE2@state.gov,
Office(90)312 457-7059, Cell (90) (533) 264-8407. EXBS
Program Office Fax (90) (312) 468-4775

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

DEBLAUW