US embassy cable - 05ANKARA124

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000124 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NP/ECC- PVANSON, ACHURCH, TGROEN 
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE- DMARTING, DMCCORMICK 
CBP/INA FOR PWALKER, RGALBRAITH 
USDOE/NNSA FOR TPERRY 
DOC FOR PETERSON-BEARD 
USCG FOR BGOLDEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETTC, KNNP, KSTC, MNUC, PARM, TU 
SUBJECT: EXBS: TURKEY ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE 
(DECEMBER 2004) 
 
REF: STATE 146478 
 
1.      Summary:  EXBS advisor focused on updating the status 
of previously introduced initiatives with new GOT MFA points 
of contact.  The advisor also began the planning with MFA and 
Customs officials on courses of action for the upcoming year, 
to focus on the most practical and best use of potential 
resources.  Finally, EXBS advisor continued to actively 
coordinate the approval of the NP Cooperation Agreement. 
This agreement, once signed, will greatly increase the types 
of cooperation that can be utilized to enhance the 
effectiveness of the EXBS program in Turkey. 
 
2.    Completed Actions for the Reporting Period 
 
A.    Site Assessment and Meetings During Recent Reporting 
Period 
 
1)    December 13- EXBS advisor met with new Deputy Director 
General for OSCE, Arms Control and Disarmament, Bulent Meric 
and new Head of Department, Arms Control and Disarmament 
Sabri Ergen.  EXBS adviser reviewed all current projects in 
progress in Turkey, including ICP, CIT and SLD.  EXBS Advisor 
also proposed preliminary discussions to bring the Product 
Identification Tool project to Turkey.  Finally, EXBS Advisor 
led a general discussion concerning the NP Cooperation 
Agreement and Turkey,s future participation in the PSI 
experts working group and upcoming exercises in Portugal and 
Spain.  Meric stated that Turkey was intending to participate 
in both exercises. 
 
2)    December 16- EXBS advisor met with Department Head for 
Customs Enforcement Mehmet Guzel to review the proposed Risk 
Management Workshop for Turkish Customs officials.  Following 
the review it was agreed that GOT would most benefit from two 
workshops for different segments of the Customs Ministry and 
other GOT personnel.  EXBS advisor also reviewed the status 
of other projects, including ICP, CIT and the upcoming PIT 
project.  Additionally, EXBS Adviser was briefed by Guzel on 
current operations in the &Green Zone8 between border 
crossings and on current operations at the border crossing 
with Iraq at Habur Gate. 
 
3)    December 21- EXBS Advisor forwarded the latest proposed 
NP Agreement to DDG, Arms Control and Disarmament Bulent 
Meric, for review and approval by the GOT. 
 
B.    Training Conducted During Reporting Period: None. 
 
C.    Equipment Delivered During Reporting Period: None 
 
D.    Imminent Training or Equipment Status Update: None 
 
E.    Significant Developments in Export Controls, 
Nonproliferation, or Related Border Security 
 
1)    The United States provided GOT the latest approved 
update on the NP Cooperation Agreement.  The newest proposal 
has only minor clarification wording and will be distributed 
for inter-ministerial comment and approval.  If approved, 
necessary steps will be completed for signature early in 
2005. 
 
3.    Future Activities 
 
A.    Jan 11-13-  EXBS Advisor to be part of Embassy Team 
participating in discussions on border operations at the 
Habur Gate crossing on the Iraq border. 
 
B.    Jan 14-17 - DOS NP/NE and DOE team scheduled to visit 
Ankara and Istanbul to discuss research reactor conversions 
and spent fuel returns to the United States.  Meetings will 
take place with the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK) 
and at the Cekmece Research Reactors. 
 
C.    Feb 1-4 - DOC team scheduled to visit Ankara to 
introduce the Product Identification Tool to members of the 
Turkish government.  This tool can improve the resources 
available to Turkish Customs official at the border 
processing locations. 
D.    Feb 21-25 (tent)- DOE SLD Team to conduct follow on 
visit to Ankara to finalize list of priority of border 
locations for installation of equipment and to begin planning 
for site surveys. 
 
E.    Mar 21- Apr 5, 2005 - EXBS Advisor to conduct program 
consultations in Washington DC. and leave. 
 
4.    Red Flag Issues- None 
 
5.    Contact Information for EXBS Adviser ) Kevin Lyon, 
phone (90)(312) 455-5555 ext 2525, fax (90)(312) 468-4775, 
email LyonK@state.gov. 
 
EDELMAN