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

VZCZCXRO5359
RR RUEHDBU
DE RUEHAK #2325/01 2551245
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 121245Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3721
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RULSJGA/COMDT COGUARD WASHDC
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 02 ANKARA 002325

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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

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

REF: 2004 STATE 146478

1. Summary: EXBS Advisor continued work on grant agreement
to transfer a new Z-Backscatter Van (ZBV) to Turkish Customs.
Work also continued on cooperation plan to standardize the
training curriculum of the Turkish Customs Training Academy.
Twenty-four Turkish Customs officials attend Radiation
Detection and Response Training conducted by the Department
of Energy (DOE)/ Second Line of Defense (SLD) in Richland
Washington.

2. Completed Actions for the Reporting Period

A. Site Assessment and Meetings During Recent Reporting
Period

1) Aug 3 - EXBS Advisor met with MFA Arms Control and
Disarmament Chief of Section Bora Kerimoglu to discuss
current projects in Turkey, including a proposed grant
agreement for new Z-Backscatter Van, Turkish Customs training
cooperation project and the Department of Energy/Second Line
of Defense (SLD) engagement proposal. EXBS Advisor reviewed
meetings held the end of July between visiting SLD delegation
and Turkish National Police and Turkish Customs officials,
explaining how each program is building on past activities
with a goal of developing capabilities of both services.
EXBS Advisor shared draft documents which outlined short term
and long term goals which were being finalized between SLD,
TNP and Turkish Customs. Kerimoglu expressed MFA's support
in the cooperation between Turkish and US agencies and
requested MFA be kept informed as these plans and activities
progress. EXBS Advisor presented a copy of the International
Grant Agreement and explained how this Agreement could be
utilized to transfer to Turkish Customs the ZBV van which was
already in Turkey. EXBS Advisor reinforced that this would
be a one time grant could be done outside the NP Cooperation
(EXBS) Agreement, if both countries agreed. Kerimoglu
concurred that this could be possible, however he would need
to review the grant document with appropriate offices. He
then added that he was hopeful that the US and Turkey could
continue to find ways to cooperate while we await the
conclusion of the EXBS Agreement. EXBS Advisor agreed and
reviewed the training and visits that had occurred or occur
between US and Turkish Customs.

2) Aug 21 - EXBS Advisor met with Custom EU and External
Relations Deputy Director General Ihsan Kocer to discuss
future steps in the development of the Turkish Customs
Training Academy. EXBS Advisor provided a briefing on a
proposal to bring to Turkey a team of 4 CBP instructors to
observe current on-the-job training being conducted at
various Customs locations and who could also work with the
current Turkish Customs Academy staff to standardize lesson
plans and other information. Kocer welcomed this proposal,
but said he would first like to review the finding of the
report completed in June on current training for Turkish
Customs officials. He added that with the new change in
government, it may be a few months before all newly promoted
or assigned officials will be in position to approve this
next phase of cooperation. EXBS Advisor agreed that delaying
this visit may be in the best interest of the program and
that he would work to obtain a copy of the formal report for
Turkish Customs review. EXBS Advisor provided an update
concerning the Turkish Customs International Sea Port
Interdiction Training (ISIT), Radiation Detection Training
and Hazardous Material training. EXBS Advisor added that he
had received positive feedback from MFA concerning the DOE
SLD visit and that planning for the replacement of the
current monitors could begin soon.

3) Aug 22 - EXBS Advisor met with Customs Enforcement Deputy
Director General Ender Gurleyik to conduct pre-departure
briefing for the Turkish Customs delegation traveling to the
United States to participate in the Radiation Detection
Training in Richland WA. Gurleyik, who was the senior member
of the Turkish delegation, stated that all members were ready
to attend the training and that he hoped to be able to
utilize the information obtained from training in future
on-the-job training conducted by Turkish Customs. EXBS

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Advisor noted that the training provide by DOE will be
similar to training which will be conducted following the
replacement and upgrading of the nuclear portal monitors and
that individuals attending the training now would be able to
better assist in this process. Finally, EXBS Advisor updated
Gurleyik on the status of the grant agreement for the ZBV van
and that he hoped to have the process completed soon.
Gurleyik noted that Turkish Customs has been waiting
patiently for this piece of equipment and predicted that it
will deliver significant results once it is placed in service.

B. Training Conducted During Reporting Period:

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

C. Equipment Delivered During Reporting Period: None

D. Imminent Training or Equipment Status Update:

1) Sep 12 -22 - Eighteen Turkish Officials from Customs,
National Police, Coast Guard and Gendermerie will attend
International Sea Port Interdiction Training Course,
Charleston, SC.

E. Significant Developments in Export Controls,
Nonproliferation, or Related Border Security: The Embassy
selected the first EXBS Program Coordinator completed
pre-employment requirements and is expected to be in place on
or about September 17, 2007.

3. Future Activities

A. Sep 12 -22 - Eighteen Turkish Officers from Customs,
National Police, Coast Guard and Gendermerie will attend
International Sea Port Interdiction Training Course,
Charleston, SC.

B. Nov/Dec - 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 observe actual procedures which will
assist in focusing of the 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/

WILSON

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