TURKISH RESPONSE ON UNSCR 1267 LISTING REQUEST

S E C R E T ANKARA 000932 SIPDIS EEB FOR JALLORINA, NEA FOR JACKSON FARRIER, SCT FOR ANDERSON, TREASURY FOR HARRIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2018 TAGS: KTFN PTER PINR EFIN PREL BA QA TU SUBJECT: TURKISH RESPONSE ON UNSCR 1267 LISTING REQUEST REF: A. STATE 49793 ¶B. ANKARA 645 Classified By: Deputy Economic Counselor Courtney Turner for reasons 1. 4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph four. ¶2. (S) Summary. We met May 14 with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Director General for Security Affairs Inan Ozyildiz and Section Chief Metin Ergin. Ozyildiz promised to share reftel A information promptly with appropriate entities. Ergin asked whether we had specific information on the named individuals' whereabouts and any assets they may hold in Turkey. He noted that our sharing this additional information would make effective freeze and seize action more likely. End Summary. ¶3. (S) Ozyildiz and Ergin are relatively new to the Office of Security Affairs and both expressed support for this designation along with frustration for the bureaucratic process to enact asset seizures and build an airtight case that will withstand legal challenge. To freeze and seize assets under UNSCR sanctions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shares the information with the office of the Prime Minister. The PM's office drafts the document, which is approved by the Law and Decision Directorate General. It must then be signed by the Council of Ministers, be signed by the President, be published in the Official Gazette, and only then can banks investigate and act when there are assets to seize. This process cannot take place until the UNSC formally makes the designation, although Ozyildiz said he would begin the paperwork now. This lengthy, and ultimately public, due process procedure takes at least two to four weeks and makes it likely that electronic funds will be moved before a freeze can take place. Several times Ergin stressed the importance of getting early information on any specific assets in Turkey, which would make success more likely. ¶4. (SBU) Per Ergin's request, we would appreciate receiving any Turkey-specific information on the assets and whereabouts of the named individuals from State and Treasury. ¶5. (S) As explained in Reftel B, the assets of Yassin el Kadi remain frozen in Turkey, along with those of Ahmet Idris Nasrettin. Ergin noted that el Kadi continues to seek release of his assets through legal proceedings. He succeeded in Switzerland and has a case pending against the European Union. He filed, and lost, one case against the Turkish Government, but Ergin fears that he might win with a second case, especially if his assets are unfrozen by the European Union. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey WILSON