US embassy cable - 05ANKARA7157

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 007157 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR ISN/PTR MICHAEL CURRY 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2015 
TAGS: AU, KNNP, PARM, RS, TU 
SUBJECT: UPDATE: U.S. PROPOSAL TO ANALYZE LEU SEIZED IN 
ISTANBUL 
 
REF: A. STATE 181017 
     B. ANKARA 6248 
     C. ANKARA 6258 
 
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Nancy McEldowney, reason 1.4 b/d 
. 
 
1. (U)  This is an Action Cable.  See para 7. 
 
2.  (C)  Summary:  The Government of Turkey is still willing 
to support and is awaiting further information concerning a 
possible visit by 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. 
However, Turkish law precludes the providing of a sample of 
the uranium powder for joint analysis until the legal 
proceedings against the accused have been completed.  End 
Summary. 
 
3.   (C)  This cable is an update to information previously 
reported concerning the joint analysis of uranium powder that 
was seized during a Turkish National Police sting operation 
in Istanbul in August 2005 (ref c). 
 
4.  (C)  MFA Arms Control and Disarmament First Secretary 
Guven Begec on 23 November told EXBS Advisor that since 
charges had already been filed against the accused and that 
the uranium powder has been listed as evidence in the case, 
it is against Turkish law to remove any of the powder.  Begec 
added that it may be possible to provide a sample of the 
powder to the U.S. for testing following the completion of 
the legal process. (Comment: EXBS Advisor requested 
information concerning the court and trial dates, which 
should allow Post to follow the court proceedings.) 
 
5.  (U) We confirmed the information concerning criminal 
evidence with a contact at the Ministry of Justice.  This 
source said that once charges have been filed and evidence 
has been listed, there are only rare cases when the evidence 
listed can be changed without itbeing considered evidence 
tampering and therefore harmful to the prosecution's case. 
 
6.  (U)  EXBS Advisor during a meeting with Turkish Atomic 
Energy Authority Safety Department Head, Aysel Yucel was 
questioned concerning the possible visit by a U.S. expert 
team to review the Turkish tests and other evidence.  EXBS 
Advisor responded that the U.S. is determining the best time 
frame to propose a visit and should have possible dates soon. 
 
7.  (C) Action Request: Embassy requests update on possible 
visit of U.S. experts to review completed Turkish tests. 
 
8.  (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. 
 
WILSON