Cablegate: Exbs: Turkey Declines Invitation to Participate In

VZCZCXYZ0010
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAK #6475 3260943
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 220943Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0024

UNCLAS ANKARA 006475

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KSTC PARM PREL TU
SUBJECT: EXBS: TURKEY DECLINES INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN
WORKSHOP ON THE ENFORCEMENT OF EXPORT CONTROLS ON STRATEGIC
COMMODITIES

REF: STATE 174810

1. Per reftel, we forwarded the invitation for the GOT to
send two participants to the Middle East Regional Technical
Exchange on the Export Controls of Strategic Commodities
being held in Amman, Jordan in December 2006. Subsequently,
we emphasized to MFA Disarmament and Arms Control Head of
Department Ahmet Gun the U.S. belief that Turkey's
accomplishments in the area of export controls and their
training of officials would greatly benefit other workshop
participants.

2. On November 20, we were notified by Serhan Yigit of the
MFA Disarmament and Arms Control staff that Turkey would not
participate in the Amman workshop. Yigit informed us that he
had been in close contact with both Turkish Customs and
Turkish Atomic Energy Authority concerning their decisions to
not participate, but it was determined that other high
priority issues would prevent Turkish experts in the export
control field from attending. Yigit acknowledged that this
would be a missed opportunity for Turkish experts to interact
with others in the region; however the MFA did not feel it
appropriate to force participation by the related
institutions. Yigit offered that the GOT would like to be
considered for future opportunities of this type.

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

WILSON

© Scoop Media