VZCZCXYZ0015
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAK #1845/01 2961427
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 221427Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7764
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001845 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE, ISN; DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY FOR TOBEY 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2018 
TAGS: ETTC KNNP ENRG EXBS TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: NNSA DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR TOBEY PROPOSES 
CLOSER COOPERATION ON NUCLEAR SECURITY 
 
REF: A. ANKARA 1724 
     ¶B. STATE 106280 
     ¶C. ANKARA 1721 
 
Classified By: DCM Doug Silliman, Reasons 1.4 (b,d) 
 
¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In October 20-21 meetings with GOT officials, 
NNSA Deputy Administrator Tobey stressed NNSA,s desire to 
enhance bilateral engagement on nuclear nonproliferation, 
proposed possible areas of cooperation, and underscored 
NNSA,s willingness to assist Turkey with the development of 
indigenous nuclear portal monitors.  Even as Turkey refines 
its indigenous capability, Tobey suggested developing a pilot 
project using equipment available under NNSA,s Second Line 
of Defense (SLD) Program to ensure Turkey has the ability to 
detect the most dangerous types of nuclear material crossing 
its borders.  GOT interlocutors emphasized Turkey,s priority 
is to develop indigenous capabilities to detect nuclear 
material, noted with interest NNSA,s willingness to support 
this endeavor, and agreed to study Tobey,s proposal and 
provide a response following a GOT interagency review.  END 
SUMMARY 
 
¶2. (C) During separate meetings October 20-21 with Turkish 
Atomic Energy Council (TAEK), the MFA, Turkish Customs, and 
the Turkish National Police, National Nuclear Security 
Administration (NNSA) Deputy Administrator William Tobey 
emphasized NNSA,s desire to deepen engagement with Turkey 
following the approval of the 123 Agreement in June 2008.  He 
briefed interlocutors about NNSA,s scope of work and 
highlighted opportunities to deepen cooperation in SLD, 
security of radiological materials, and consultations on the 
development of a civilian nuclear infrastructure with an eye 
toward nuclear security. 
 
Second Line of Defense 
---------------------- 
 
¶3. (C) Tobey stressed to TAEK Vice President Ediz Tanker the 
threat of nuclear smuggling in the region is real, and the US 
and Turkey share an interest in ensuring Turkey is able to 
detect dangerous nuclear material (e.g. plutonium, HEU) 
crossing its borders.  Tobey said the US wants to provide 
Turkey, a close ally, with the same type of equipment that 
the US uses to protect its own borders.  He stated NNSA is 
prepared to fund the deployment of between 250 to 300 portal 
monitors at some 40 border crossings, if Turkey is interested. 
 
¶4. (C) Tanker expressed appreciation for the approval of the 
123 agreement and emphasized Turkey,s desire to develop its 
own nuclear detection capability as a matter of priority.  He 
said TAEK is leading the development of this capability and 
has deployed new nuclear detection monitors to almost all 
land borders, replacing older equipment previously provided 
by the US.  When asked whether the TAEK-developed monitors 
are capable of detecting neutron radiation, Tanker demurred, 
stating he was not sure.  Tobey expressed understanding for 
Turkey,s desire to develop indigenous capabilities, and 
described NNSA,s experience assisting other countries, 
including China, Russia and Ukraine, in developing indigenous 
technology capable of detecting special nuclear material. 
Noting it is difficult to know whether the monitors are 
capable of detecting special nuclear material without testing 
it against appropriate sources, Tobey proposed the following 
activities as possible next steps in advancing bilateral 
cooperation: 
 
-- Invite Turkish experts to Los Alamos National Laboratory 
(or another facility) to observe how the US tests nuclear 
detection equipment.  Turkish representatives could even 
bring the equipment they are developing to be tested against 
neutron emitting sources to confirm whether their equipment 
meets international standards. 
 
-- Hold expert consultations on Turkey,s efforts to develop 
an indigenous capability to design and produce detection 
equipment.  US experts could offer advice based on their 
experience in supporting other countries' efforts to develop 
indigenous capabilities. 
 
-- Even as Turkey continues work on an indigenous capability, 
develop a pilot project, in consultation with relevant GOT 
institutions, which would allow GOT officials to see the SLD 
equipment in action and evaluate its effectiveness. 
 
¶5. (C) Tobey shared with MFA and TAEK a draft declaration of 
principles that NNSA uses in other countries as a document 
 
that could help frame future NNSA cooperation with GOT 
entities.  He asked the MFA and TAEK to review the document 
and provide feedback. 
 
Other Possibilities for Cooperation 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶6. (C) Tobey proposed additional areas for bilateral 
cooperation, including sending NNSA experts to Turkey to 
consult on the design and implementation of a civilian 
nuclear infrastructure that meets international standards for 
nuclear security.  Tanker said this may be appropriate once 
there is greater clarity on the fate of Turkey,s nuclear 
power plant tender (ref b).  Tobey also suggested having US 
experts share their experience in enhancing security measures 
for radiological sources with appropriate Turkish officials. 
This exchange could be combined with site visits in which US 
experts might offer their assessment and possible security 
improvements.  Tanker acknowledged that some sites in which 
radiological sources may be present, such as hospitals, do 
not have good security in place, and said TAEK will consider 
this offer (Note: At the time of the meeting, TAEK had not 
received ref c. paper which the embassy had transmitted to 
TAEK via the MFA on October 6.  Embassy will transmit the 
paper directly to TAEK.  End Note). 
 
MFA Reaction 
------------ 
 
¶7. (C) MFA Deputy Director General Ahmet Gun expressed 
satisfaction regarding the approval of the 123 Agreement, and 
said a major &political and psychological barrier8 has been 
lifted and that the MFA now has the necessary legal and 
political basis for &full cooperation with the US on 
nonproliferation issues."  He offered four points in response 
to Tobey,s presentation: 
 
-- Turkey desires better intelligence sharing regarding 
nonproliferation threats and activities of concern in the 
region; 
 
-- Turkey wants to see more emphasis on strengthening export 
controls at the point of origin (Gun reiterated his complaint 
that Turkey frequently is asked to take action to disrupt 
sensitive shipments after they have left the borders of EU 
states); 
 
-- The GOT,s strategy is to reinforce its own capabilities 
and accept foreign assistance on a case-by-case basis; and 
 
-- Gun also provided a nonconfrontational, but stark 
assessment that Turkey would continue to have little interest 
in participating in the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear 
Terrorism because of the inclusion of Cyprus. 
 
¶8. (C) Gun noted with interest NNSA,s offer to support 
Turkey,s indigenous production of nuclear portal monitors. 
Tobey confirmed NNSA's willingness to: support Turkey's 
effort in developing indigenous equipment; test the 
equipment; and fund the equipment for deployment in Turkey, 
and potentially in third countries if they meet international 
standards.  Gun said the GOT interagency export control 
working group which he chairs will conduct an internal needs 
assessment, and will evaluate the range of proposals 
presented by Tobey and at the EXBS and Nonproliferation 
Seminar (ref c.) in light of Turkey,s requirements.  Gun 
pledged to provide the US with a response as soon as this 
evaluation process has been completed. 
 
Enforcement Agencies Welcome Further Collaboration 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶9. (C) During separate meetings with Tobey, Turkish National 
Police Director for Criminal Laboratories Seyit Demirci and 
Turkish Customs Enforcement Deputy Director General Mehmet 
Guzel both expressed appreciation for training and equipment 
the SLD Program had provided in the past.  Both welcomed 
further cooperation with NNSA in general and the SLD Program 
in particular, but stressed that broader cooperation with SLD 
will require TAEK,s buy-in. 
 
¶10. (U) Deputy Administrator Tobey has cleared this cable. 
 
 
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at 
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey 
 
 
WILSON