Cablegate: Exbs: Turkey Advisors Monthly Report- (Jul 2007)

VZCZCXRO4229
RR RUEHDBU
DE RUEHAK #2020/01 2200514
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 080514Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3300
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RULSJGA/COMDT COGARD
RUEAORC/US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION WASHINGTON DC
INFO RUCNEXC/EXPORT CONTROL AND RELATED BORDER SECURITY
RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JCS WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 002020

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NP/ECC- PVANSON, ACHURCH, NJOHANSON
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE- DSILLIMAN, BHUNT, PMALIK
DOE/NNSA- TPERRY, LPARKER, EDESCHLER
CBP/INA- BWATTS, BPICKETT
DOC FOR TCURTIN
USCG FOR BGOLDEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TU
SUBJECT: EXBS: TURKEY ADVISORS MONTHLY REPORT- (JUL 2007)

REF: A. 2004 STATE 146478

B. ANKARA 1941

1. Summary: MFA notifies Embassy that final step in the
entry-into-force of NP Cooperation Agreement depends on
information concerning status of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear
Energy Agreement. Twenty-four Turkish Customs officials
attend Targeting and Risk Management Workshop in Ankara.
This workshop is followed by detailed meetings with Turkish
Customs concerning Turkish Targeting and Risk Management
procedures and areas of possible future cooperation are
identified. Finally, twelve Turkish Customs officials attend
International Air Cargo Interdiction Training and Commodity
Identification Training in New York.

2. Completed Actions for the Reporting Period

A. Site Assessment and Meetings During Recent Reporting
Period

1) Jul 5 - EXBS Advisor met with MFA Arms Control and
Disarmament Head of Department Serhan Yigit to discuss
current projects in Turkey, including Internal Control
Program (ICP), Customs Training and Second Line of Defense
(SLD). EXBS Advisor inquired as to the latest information
concerning the NP Cooperation Agreement. Yigit replied that
he did not have any new information and has been instructed
to wait until information was provided concerning the US
status of the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy Agreement
before making further inquires on this Agreement. EXBS
Advisor expressed concern about the linking of these two
Agreement and the potential slow down of activities it could
cause. Yigit, stated he understood the potential
ramifications but was given his instructions. EXBS Advisor
explored possibility of granting a ZBV van which was already
in Turkey for use by Turkish Customs. EXBS Advisor stated
that this one time grant could be done outside the NP
Cooperation Agreement, if both countries agreed. Yigit
thought this could be possible, however he would need to
review the grant document with appropriate offices. Yigit
added that he was hopeful that we could continue to find ways
to cooperate while we await these other formalities, although
everything will be much easier once we can place all the NP
programs into full motion, including the delivery of
equipment and the starting of the SLD upgrades. EXBS Advisor
agreed and then reviewed the activities that had occurred and
will occur between US and Turkish Customs, both training and
visits.

2) Jul 9 - 17 - US Customs and Border Protection Service
conducted a Targeting and Risk Management Workshop for 24
Turkish Customs officials in Ankara from July 9 - 13, 2007.
The focus of the workshop was the targeting of shipments
through a land border crossing. Members of Turkish Customs
Headquarters along with representatives from key border
locations were in attendance at the workshop. The course
included a day of practical exercises at the inland clearance
station in Ankara. Initial feedback from those in attendance
was that the information was very useful and will be valuable
as Turkish Customs continues to develop and improve its
targeting and risk management procedures. Following the
one-week workshop, CBP instructors conducted 2 days of
meetings and discussions with members of Turkish Customs
Headquarters operations and targeters to further discuss
Turkish processes and explore possible areas of future
cooperation. Complete reporting of this event was reported
via separate cable (ref b).

3) Jul 19-20 - EXBS Advisor conducted departure briefing
with Turkish Customs delegation traveling to the United
States to participate in the International Air Cargo and
Commodity Identification Training in New York, NY.

4) Jul 26 - EXBS Advisor met with Customs Enforcement Deputy
Director General Mehmet Guzel to discuss recent cooperative
events and update on future activities. EXBS Advisor
provided Guzel with an evaluation of the Targeting and Risk
Management Workshop which was completed in Ankara and the

ANKARA 00002020 002 OF 003

suggested areas of future cooperation outlined by the CBP
team prior to their departure. Guzel stated that he had
received several positive reports from the officials who
attended the workshop who all felt the information presented
and discussed was very beneficial. Guzel added that close
cooperation between the US and Turkey would be beneficial in
improving the Turkish system and for sharing experiences with
US counterparts. EXBS Advisor then informed Guzel of an
upcoming visit by DOE SLD personnel and their desire to meet
to discuss proposed plan to replace currently installed
portal monitors with newer, more dependable equipment. Guzel
welcomed the opportunity to meet to discuss this project.

EXBS Advisor met with Custom EU and External Relations Deputy
Director General Ihsan Kocer to review past events and
upcoming cooperation activities and schedules. EXBS Advisor
provided a briefing on the significant findings of the
Targeting and Risk Management Training and meetings completed
earlier in the month. EXBS Advisor noted that while the CBP
delegation will make certain recommendations when they return
to Washington, actual work towards achieving these goals
still will require future planning and cooperation. Kocer
stated he supported all efforts which would improve Turkish
Customs targeting abilities and looks forward to future
cooperation in this area. EXBS Advisor provided updated
information concerning the Turkish Customs International Sea
Port Interdiction Training (ISIT), Radiation Detection
Training and Hazardous Material training. EXBS Advisor added
that DOE SLD personnel would be in Ankara to meet with
National Police personnel. They also desire to meet with
Customs officials to discuss proposed plan to replace
currently installed portal monitors with newer, more
dependable equipment. Kocer expressed willingness to meet
with them. Kocer added that he will be attending the CSI
Workshop in Arlington VA at the end of August.

5) Jul 30 - Aug 2 - EXBS Advisor accompanies DOE SLD team at
meetings with Turkish National Police (TNP) and Turkish
Customs. SLD Team met with TNP to discuss future cooperation
in the development of detection and response program for the
TNP. These meetings were a follow-up to meetings conducted
between DOE and TNP in June in Washington DC. SLD Team met
with Turkish Customs to discuss proposal for replacement of
the currently installed Ludlum monitors at selected border
crossing with newer, more dependable equipment. Details of
these meetings will be reported septel.

B. Training Conducted During Reporting Period:

1) Jul 8-14 - CBP conducted Land Based Targeting and Risk
Management Course, Ankara for twenty-four Turkish customs
officials.

2) Jul 16-17 - CBP targeting experts conducted
meetings/training with Turkish Customs HQ targeting experts.

3) Jul 20 - Aug 1 - Twelve Turkish Customs Officers
attended International Air Cargo Interdiction Training
Course, New York, NY.

C. Equipment Delivered During Reporting Period: None

D. Imminent Training or Equipment Status Update:

1) Aug 25 - Sep 1- Twenty-Four Turkish Customs Officers to
attend DOE RADACAD Training in Richland, WA.

E. Significant Developments in Export Controls,
Nonproliferation, or Related Border Security: The selection
process for the first EXBS Program Coordinator was completed.
Over 100 candidates applied for the position, with the 6 top
finalists being interviewed for consideration. A ranking of
the finalists was completed on 25 July, with the position
being offered to the top candidate on 31 July. Post expects
to have coordinator in place by the end of August.

3. Future Activities

ANKARA 00002020 003 OF 003

A. Aug 25 - Sep 1- Twenty-Four Turkish Customs Officers to
attend DOE RADACAD Training in Richland, WA.

B. Sep 10- 22 (Postponed) - Twenty- Four Turkish Officials
to attend CBP HAZMAT Tech/First Responder Training, Harpers
Ferry, WV.

C. Sep 12 -22 - Eighteen Turkish Customs Officers to attend
International Sea Port Interdiction Training Course,
Charleston, SC.

D. Sep 12 - 27 (proposed) - CBP Training Experts to conduct
follow-on evaluation of Turkish Customs training development
and course material. This evaluation will include visits to
actual Customs locations to match actual procedures with
training provided.

4. Red Flag Issues: None

5. Contact Information for EXBS Adviser ) Kevin Lyon, phone
(90)(312) 457-7210, fax (90)(312) 468-4775, email
LyonK@state.gov.

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

MCELDOWNEY

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