US embassy cable - 05ANKARA2674

UNCLAS ANKARA 002674 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PARM, PREL, TU 
SUBJECT: PSI: TURKEY FORMS INTERMINISTERIAL COORDINATION 
GROUP 
 
 
1. (SBU) Osman Yavuzalp, Head of Department MFA Arms Control 
and Disarmament Affairs, on May 6 informed EXBS Advisor that 
the previous day the GOT held their first Interministerial 
Coordination Meeting to discuss Turkish participation in PSI 
and what steps Turkey will take in promoting PSI.  The 
meeting was chaired by DDG for Arms Control Bulent Meric and 
BG Haldun Solmazturk, Department of Disarmament and 
International Security, Turkish General Staff(J5), and 
included representatives from MFA, the Turkish General Staff, 
Turkish Customs and other ministries.  . 
 
2.  (SBU) Topics discussed during the afternoon long meeting 
included: 
 
A.  Establishment of smaller working groups to better 
concentrate on the various parts of PSI; maritime, land and 
air. 
 
B.  A detailed discussion of proposed and actual 
participation in the upcoming Spanish PSI exercise. 
 
C.  The basic scenarios that will form the Turkish led 
exercise next year, and the goal to have the basic scenarios 
outlined so that they can present the information at the next 
Operational Experts Meeting in Copenhagen in July. 
 
D.  Marking of the Second Anniversary of the announcement of 
the Proliferation Security Initiative. 
 
3.  (SBU) Yavuzalp informed EXBS Advisor that this group will 
most likely begin monthly meetings starting in June.  The 
goal of the group is to increase PSI-like activities being 
conducted by Turkey within this region. 
 
4.  (SBU) Comment: Bringing together the many parts of the 
Turkish government that could be involved in PSI like 
activities, shows the new commitment that Turkey has in 
support of PSI and in their desires to be a leader in the 
region. We will continue to encourage this positive GOT 
attitude. End Comment. 
 
EDELMAN