DEMARCH DELIVERED: DESTRUCTION OF STATE BORDER PROTECTION

UNCLAS DUSHANBE 001802 SIPDIS STATE FOR PM/WRA (KATHERINE BAKER),EUR/CACEN, SA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MASS PREL TI SUBJECT: DEMARCH DELIVERED: DESTRUCTION OF STATE BORDER PROTECTION COMMITTEE-HELD MANPADS REF: STATE 201459 ¶1. Post delivered reftel demarche on MANPAD destruction on November 9 to General Saidamir Zuhurov, Chairman of the State Border Protection Committee (Tajik Border Guards). ¶2. On the first point, Zuhurov said Tajikistan is working well with OSCE on the destruction of small arms, light weapons, and ammunition. ¶3. On the second point, Zuhurov stated that he knew of only five or six MANPADs that existed and believed they had already been destroyed. He will confirm whether they have been destroyed or not, and if not, he has no problem with OSCE destroying them. He will provide us with confirmation by November 20. ¶4. On the third point, taking steps to make arrangements with OSCE, Zuhurov stated that the Government of Tajikistan is cooperating fully with OSCE and will also cooperate on MANPAD destruction. HOAGLAND NNNN