Wikileaks - CXCVI

34596 6/14/2005 10:31 05ANKARA3369 Embassy Ankara CONFIDENTIAL 05SECSTATE97058 This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 003369

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NKWG TREASURY FOR ZARATE AND LEBENSON JUSTICE FOR HAYDEN BUCHAREST FOR SECRET SERVICE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/13/2009 TAGS: KCRM, EFIN, KN, TU SUBJECT: NO KNOWLEDGE OF NORTH KOREAN COUNTERFEITING IN TURKEY

REF: SECSTATE 97058

Classified By: Economic Counselor Thomas C. Goldberger for reasons 1.4( b) and (d).

1.(C) Summary: Neither Police nor Central Bank officials had any knowledge of North Korean-origin counterfeit currency or were aware of the Interpol notice either. Both asked for additional information in order to determine whether counterfeit dollars found in Turkey are from North Korea. Separately, there has been illegal activity by North Korean diplomats in Turkey: two North Koreans accredited to Bulgaria were caught in Istanbul in December with 700,000 amphetamine tablets. End Summary.

No Knowledge of North Korean Counterfeiting in Turkey:
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2. (C) Econoff and econ specialist met separately with Central Bank and Turkish National Police officials responsible for anti-counterfeiting. Neither had seen any "supernotes" nor were aware of any North Korean counterfeiting of U.S. or any other currency, nor had they been informed of the Interpol orange notice. The Central Bank officials showed examples of counterfeit one hundred dollar notes made using silkscreen technology but they were not aware of the origin of the notes. The officials wondered why the company that produced the ink used by the North Koreans could not identify the counterfeit notes through a code used in the ink. Though there is a problem with counterfeit dollars in Turkey, the Central Bank officials say counterfeit Euros or other currencies are much rarer. Econoff provided both the police and Central Bank with the circular numbers from reftel. Both the Central Bank and police officials asked for more information with which to be able to determine whether counterfeits came from North Korea.

Other Examples of Illegal Activity by North Korean Diplomats:
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3. (SBU) On December 5, 2004 two North Korean diplomats, Ryang Wae WON and Kim Song JIN, were caught in Istanbul with 700,000 amphetamine tablets in their possession. The two diplomats, Ryang Thae WON and Kim Song JIM, were both reportedly assigned to the Foreign Commercial Services section of the North Korean Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria, where WON is reportedly the Attach, while JIN is a secretary. Although WON and JIN were not accredited to Turkey, they were not prosecuted but were expelled.

4. (SBU) WON and JIN traveled from Bulgaria to Turkey, both separately and together, on numerous occasions in 2004, using the same diplomatic- plated vehicle in which they were detained. Each trip was for a very short period of time, usually only one day in duration. Turkish law enforcement believes that they may have served as couriers on these previous visits. EDELMAN