U.S. Department of State

Turkey

Budget Summary ($000)

Program Objectives and Performance Indicators

Improved drug seizures and dismantling of criminal networks.

Reduction in flow of illicit drugs and other contraband to and through Turkey – both through increased seizures and active deterrence.

Transformational Diplomacy

Turkey, as one of the major crossroads of international trade and transportation, remains one of the principal drug transshipment routes in the world. The flow of significant quantities of illicit drugs and other contraband to and through Turkey poses an ongoing threat to its security as well as to the expansion of legitimate trade and investment. The corrupting influence of the drug trade threatens the integrity of customs, law enforcement and security personnel. Enhanced professionalism and technical capabilities, likewise, help to reduce or eliminate other abuses of authority, aiding in promoting human and civil rights. Improved cooperation with other countries affected by drug flows to and through Turkey will likewise enhance the government’s ability to stem those flows, attack and dismantle the trafficking organizations involved, and to identify emerging criminal threats.

Improved investigative and enforcement capacity and enhanced cooperation with key international partners will directly advance Transformational Diplomacy’s Peace and Security objectives. As a major ally in the war on terrorism, the integrity and professionalism of Turkey’s security and law enforcement agencies are critical to the ability of U.S. counterpart agencies to work effectively with them and exchange information. In addition, these programs indirectly support Democracy and Good Governance and Economic objectives by promoting rule of law, combating corruption, and facilitating legitimate economic growth and investment – both essential to Turkey’s goal of eventually joining the European Union (EU).

Program Justification

Turkey is a moderate, Muslim nation with a secular state and growing economy. It is an active member of NATO, a committed partner in the global war on terrorism and long-time U.S. partner in combating international drug trafficking. In July 2006, Secretary of State Rice and Turkish Foreign Minister Gul agreed to a shared vision of developing a more structured framework to enhance the effectiveness of the U.S.-Turkey relationship, including in the security arena. Due to its strategic geographic location, its extensive coastline, active ports and proximity to Europe, Turkey is a major transshipment point for illicit drugs heading to Europe both from the east – principally Afghan heroin – and from Africa and Latin America. Turkey also faces substantial problems relating to commercial and other forms of smuggling, illegal migration – including the movement of transnational terrorists - through its territory. The profits from these illicit enterprises may provide revenue sources to terrorists. These criminal activities serve to undermine the rule of law in Turkey, lead to corruption of public officials, and weaken Turkish institutions. The future stability, security and economic development of Turkey rests, in great measure, on how the fight to strengthen the rule of law proceeds, and on its effectiveness in confronting drug trafficking. The prospect of EU membership increases both the opportunity for improvements and the need for such advances as soon as possible.

The Government of Turkey (GOT) continues to advance its political and economic reform agenda as it moves towards becoming a member of the European Union. Turkey also distinguished itself as a solid partner in the fight against global terrorism. U.S. support for Turkey’s political and economic transition and its continued development as a moderate, Muslim state is consistent with our National Security Strategy.

Program Accomplishments

The U.S. and Turkey have a long history of close cooperation in combating transnational organized crime, especially drug trafficking. Turkey has among the world’s highest rates of drug seizures. With the support of the U.S. and the United Nations, Turkey established in 2000 the Turkish Academy to Combat Drugs and Organized Crime (TADOC) which not only serves as a training center for Turkish law enforcement personnel, but has been opened by the GOT to support training for personnel from other countries in the region. In early 2007, TADOC hosted a pilot training activity involving counter-drug unit commanders from both Turkey and Afghanistan aimed at establishing a closer working relationship between the two countries to combat the flow of heroin from Afghanistan through Turkey to Western Europe and the Americas.

FY 2009 Program

While the U.S. has provided limited training and technical assistance to the GOT in recent years, e.g., through the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Budapest or at the Turkish International Academy Against Drugs and Organized Crime (TADOC), the Department of State has not had a formal cooperative program in place since 2000.

Within the framework of a bilateral agreement reached in 2006 to enhance the effectiveness of the U.S.-Turkey relationship, the two governments pledged to work together on countering terrorism and crime. The two governments agreed to institute regular, annual meetings to establish expert groups on law enforcement issues of mutual concern. The Department proposes to use these FY 2009 resources to support that engagement, including reestablishment of a counternarcotics program to promote more effective bilateral and regional cooperation.

Funding would also be used to build on joint Turkish-Afghan counterdrug training initiated in 2007, as well as expand the outreach to in other key partners such as investigative agencies from Southeastern Europe. Training and technical assistance, provided by DEA and/or other training experts will be directed at Turkish counter-drug, customs and other law enforcement entities on border control and detection techniques at land and sea ports of entry. Funding will cover TDY training costs, travel costs for trainee travel for third-country trainees or for Turkish personnel where training is not provided in-country.

Program Development and Support

Funds will be used for TDY assistance, travel, and other general administrative and operating expenses for program planning, design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. 

Turkey
INL BUDGET
($000)
								FY 2007		FY 2007 Supp		FY 2008	FY 2009
Counternarcotics - Interdiction								-		-		263	265
Program Development and Support
	U.S. Personnel							-		-		-	-
	Non-U.S. Personnel							-		-		-	-
	ICASS Costs							-		-		-	-
	Program Support							-		-		35	35
	Sub-Total							-		-		35	35
Total								-		-		298	300