TURKEY: AQ KHAN SANCTIONS REACTION, UPDATE ON CASE \

2009-01-15 11:47:00 09ANKARA71 Embassy Ankara SECRET 09STATE2519 P 151147Z JAN 09\
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA\
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8474\
INFO AMEMBASSY BERN PRIORITY \
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE PRIORITY \
S E C R E T ANKARA 000071 \
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EUR/SE, EUR/PRA, ISN/CPI \
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E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2019 \
TAGS: ETTC MNUC EFIN KNNP PARM PINS PREL SZ
SUBJECT: TURKEY: AQ KHAN SANCTIONS REACTION, UPDATE ON CASE \
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REF: STATE 2519 \
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Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor A.F. Godfrey, Reasons 1.4 (b,d) \
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1. (S) MFA Nonproliferation and Disarmament Department Head \
Elif Ulgen expressed appreciation for receiving advanced \
notification of US intentions to sanction individuals and \
companies linked with the AQ Khan network (reftel) and for \
the background information on the various sanctions. We \
praised solid Turkish cooperation on these cases and \
emphasized that the sanctions are directed at the individuals \
and firms named, not the GOT. \
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2. (S) Ulgen said she did not anticipate much public reaction \
to the sanctions and noted that the individuals (Selim \
Alguadis and Kursad Cire) continue to be monitored by Turkish \
intelligence. She agreed to check on the status of the \
plans, drawings, and documents that were in the Turkish \
companies' possession and follow up with us once she has \
additional information to share. \
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3. (S) Regarding Turkish efforts to prosecute Alguadis, Cire \
and others involved in AQ Khan network's activities in \
Turkey, including Urs Friedrich Tinner and Henk Slebos, Ulgen \
said the next hearing for the case will take place in March. \
She said that according to officials in the Ministry of \
Justice, the case cannot progress until Tinner, a key suspect \
in the case, either agrees to testify or provides a written \
deposition to the court. She noted that the GOT still has \
not received any responses to its requests to the governments \
of Switzerland and the Netherlands for their assistance in \
obtaining a written deposition from Tinner and Slebos, \
respectively. While making clear the GOT is not in position \
to influence the judicial process, Ulgen expressed concern \
that the court may eventually dismiss the case if the GOT is \
unable to obtain the needed cooperation from other \
governments. \
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4. (S) Comment: The GOT has worked hard to investigate and \
prosecute those involved in the AQ Khan network here and has \
worked closely with the USG in this case. The MFA is \
frustrated that it has not been able to obtain needed \
information from foreign governments. MFA officials are \
aware of the New York Times reporting alleging a connection \
between the Tinner family and US government agencies. \
Although they have not explicitly stated so, it is clear MFA \
officials following the case do not expect a response from \
the Swiss Government and suspect the USG has played a role in \
this. Absent a deposition from Urs Friedrich Tinner, it is \
highly likely the case against Alguadis and Cire will \
eventually be dismissed. \
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Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at \
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey \
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Jeffrey \