Turkish Ambassador Blew Whistle on Nuclear Co-operation

US American classified documents published on WikiLeaks revealed that one of the whistleblowers for the US American diplomats was Hüseyin Avni Bıçaklı, Ambassador of Turkey at Ashgabat, the capital and largest city of Turkmenistan. It turned out that Bıçaklı was the source for some information on enriching uranium in Russia and Turkmenistan to be shipped to Iran.

In a cable transmitted to Washington on 24 February 2009 by Richard Miles, Chargé d'Affaires of the Ashgabat Embassy, said that Bıçaklı "raised concerns about reports that Turkmenistan and Russia plan to resume uranium production in Turkmenistan. [...] Ambassador Bıçaklı said there were rumors that the railroad would be used to transport uranium processed at the currently inactive Turkmen uranium plant to Iran".

The subject of  cable no. 000248 was "Turkmenistan: Turkish Amassador Concerned about Potential Shipments of Uranium to Iran".

As reported by Radikal newspaper writer Yurdagül Şimşek, the fact was reminded that theTurkmenistan President Berhimuhamedov had signed a "decree allowing the state chemical concern "Turkmenkhimiya" to enter into a contract with Ekomet-S of Russia for the transfer and burial of radioactive waste".

In the cable, Miles transferred information on the meeting with Bıçaklı held on 17 February 2009.

Passing rumours

Miles reported allegations to Washington that Russia was planning to resume uranium production in Turkmenistan.

"[Bıçaklı] said that he had learned from sources that a Russian military delegation had visited Turkmenistan in early January and visited the site of a former "uranium" plant at Kizilkaya in Balkan Province. The plant operated during the Soviet era", Miles reported.

"[Bıçaklı] said that the delegation was also briefed on the planned North-South railroad line from Russia to Iran, which includes a 700 km stretch through Turkmenistan.  Ambassador Bichakli said there were rumors that the railroad would be used to transport uranium processed at the currently inactive Turkmen uranium plant to Iran".

US American diplomat Miles finally commented, "Ambassador Bichakli did not provide his sources, but noted that for Turkmenistan to collaborate with Russia to transport processed uranium to Iran, particularly in a surreptitious manner, is inconsistent with its policy of neutrality".

Transferred to Ankara in October

It turned out that Bıçaklı conveyed similar information to Ankara. He was transferred to the Head Office last month before having completed his fourth year abroad. Şevki Mütevellioğlu was appointed new Ambassador to Ashgabad. (BB/VK)

Source: WikiLeaks.