Cablegate: Meeting with Turkish Officials On Nuclear

VZCZCXYZ0015
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAK #6428 3201352
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 161352Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9954

UNCLAS ANKARA 006428

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP PARM TU
SUBJECT: MEETING WITH TURKISH OFFICIALS ON NUCLEAR
SMUGGLING OUTREACH INITIATIVE

REF: STATE 172634

1. (SBU) We have been working intensively with the MFA
Disarmament and Arms Control Directorate to organize reftel
meeting on the Nuclear Smuggling Outreach Initiative. MFA
officials have displayed great interest in having these
initial discussions. However, citing staff turnover and a
number of competing commitments, they have requested we
postpone this initial meeting until early in 2007.

2. (SBU) MFA Disarmament and Arms Control Directorate
officials have cited a number of competing priorities during
the remainder of 006, including: participation in the PSI
OEG eeting in Montreal next month, preparing to host the
second meeting of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear
Terrorism in the first half of February 2007, UN First
Committee issues, and issues associated with MTCR, Wassenaar,
Australian Group and NPT. The office is developing Turkish
policy with regard to the Iranian and North Korean nuclear
programs. This small office has recently experienced a 50
percent turnover of personnel and Deputy Director General
Bulent Meric will be departing in mid-December for a new
assignment.

3. (SBU) MFA officials insist that Turkey is interested in an
information exchange on nuclear smuggling, but wishes to
ensure a productive initial meeting based on the availability
of key staff and sufficient time. As a result, we may wish
to offer the GOT possible dates early in the new year,
allowing the MFA sufficient time to prepare the successful
meeting they claim to want.

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/

MCELDOWNEY

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