US embassy cable - 05ANKARA6258

S E C R E T ANKARA 006258 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR ISN/PTR MICHAEL CURRY 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2015 
TAGS: AU, KNNP, PARM, RS, TU 
SUBJECT: REPLY TO PROPOSAL TO ANALYZE LEU SEIZED IN ISTANBUL 
 
REF: A. STATE 181017 
     B. ANKARA 6248 
 
Classified By: Acting Pol-Mil Counselor Margaret Nardi, reason 1.4 b/d. 
 
1. (C) Summary: The Government of Turkey is willing to 
support a visit of U.S. experts to review previous tests 
conducted by the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority and other 
evidence seized in a police sting operation in Istanbul. 
Turkey is also conceptually willing to participate in the 
joint forensic analysis of the uranium powder.  However, 
before a sample can be provided to the United States for 
testing, concerns about the legal aspects of providing 
evidence in an active Turkish judicial case must be answered. 
 Once these issue are resolved, a transfer of a small 
quantity of the uranium powder to the U.S. should be 
possible.  End Summary. 
 
2. (S) U/S Joseph, during his recent visit to Ankara (ref b), 
informed Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK) President 
Okay Cakiroglu of the U.S.'s desire to participate in joint 
forensic testing of uranium powder seized in an August 18 
police sting operation in Istanbul.  Cakiroglu stated that 
Turkey has followed all steps to properly report the seizure 
to IAEA and protect the uranium powder.  TAEK is willing to 
allow U.S. experts to come to Turkey to review the tests that 
have been conducted and also to participate with Turkish 
experts in additional testing.  Cakiroglu supports sharing a 
sample of the powder with the U.S. for additional testing as 
long as it is done in compliance with all IAEA procedures. 
 
3.  (C) Acting Pol-Mil Counselor and EXBS Advisor met with 
MFA Head of Department for Arms Control and Disarmament Osman 
Yavuzalp on October 6 to discuss the U.S. desire for joint 
forensic testing of the uranium.  Yavuzalp stated that the 
GOT would support a visit of U.S. experts to review the tests 
conducted by TAEK and to inspect the items that were seized 
during the arrest.  Yavuzalp added that while he believes 
that GOT would also support a joint analysis, the uranium 
powder is currently part of the evidence of a crime and thus 
coordination with the prosecutor's office must be 
accomplished to determine if some of the powder could be 
released for testing.  Yavuzalp also re-enforced the need to 
follow established international procedures for the transfer 
of the powder to the U.S. for testing.  Finally, Yavuzalp 
requested more information on the amount of powder needed for 
testing and the time frame in which the U.S. would like to 
make this transfer. 
 
4.   (C) EXBS Advisor informed Yavuzalp, on October 13, that 
the amount of uranium powder needed for testing is 
approximately one gram and reinforced with Yavuzalp that all 
appropriate IAEA steps would be followed to properly document 
this transfer.  Yavuzalp appreciated the additional 
information and stated this would be useful in the 
coordination between MFA, TAEK and the prosecutor's office in 
preparation of a response to the U.S. proposal. 
 
5.   (U) Questions concerning this issue should be addressed 
to the Turkish EXBS Advisor, Kevin Lyon.  His contact 
information is phone (90)(312)455-5555 ext 2525, fax 
(90)(312)468-4775, email LyonK@state.gov. 
MCELDOWNEY