TAJIKISTAN WMD EXECUTIVE SEMINAR IN BUDAPEST

UNCLAS DUSHANBE 002052 SIPDIS DEPT FOR ISN/ECC - PVANSON, ACHURCH, ACUMMINGS DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/ACE CBP/INA FOR PWARKER, BPICKETT USDOE/NNSN FOR TPERRY DOC FOR PETERSEN - BEARD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM TI SUBJECT: TAJIKISTAN WMD EXECUTIVE SEMINAR IN BUDAPEST ¶1. SUMMARY: The Tajikistan Weapons of Mass Destruction executive seminar held in Budapest 12-17 December ended Friday with mixed reviews. Although the seminar was an opportunity to assess Tajikistan's ability to combat the proliferation of WMD and exchange information, some Tajiks complained directly to the Foreign Minister about the accommodations and the organization of the seminar. The seminar allowed Tajik officials from a number of ministries, the President's office and Parliament to examine the situation realistically and highlight areas needing assistance. The meeting concluded with a useful "roadmap," but left open key questions such as funding for aviation support. PRESENTATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES ¶2. Presentations focused on U.S., European, and NATO perspectives on combating proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Most briefings were very well-received and captured the threat and measures taken to prevent proliferation. The briefings on crisis management, legal foundation, international organizations involved in combating WMD, and in-country programs were rated as "very insightful and useful." Unfortunately, the briefing by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) focused on areas outside the scope of Tajikistan and the briefer was unable to satisfactorily answer any of the Tajik-specific questions presented to him. Embassy officers received several complaints after this briefing. The presentation was ill-suited for the both the high-level policy makers and the working level officials. FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE LASTING IMPRESSIONS ¶3. After traveling for 20 hours (with a seven hour, thirty minute layover in the Munich Airport) the delegates were met by the ICP organizers and put on a bus to the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA). Once at the academy, they were assigned dormitory rooms, some two to a room, which lacked some hotel basics, such as televisions. Although these rooms were standard for law enforcement students, they were not what deputy ministers, parliamentarians, presidential advisors, and deputy commanders expected from an "executive seminar," particularly after Department of Defense's Dr. Harlan Strauss and the DTRA team talked up the seminar during their September visit to Dushanbe. Strauss had insisted on only senior level decision makers attending. (COMMENT: It should also be noted that several embassy officers worked their personal contacts to ensure senior attendance. END COMMENT) ¶4. The Parliamentarians were particularly vocal in expressing their displeasure in the seminar and its organization. The party returned to Dushanbe on Saturday evening and at 0930 Monday morning, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the Embassy, advising that some Parliamentarians had already called the Foreign Minister to express their dissatisfaction. While some of the comments were unfounded, there were several legitimate complaints. EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING ¶5. The last day of the seminar produced a "roadmap" for assistance for Tajikistan. The discussion was intense at some points but the group prioritized a list of possible assistance that could be offered by the ICP program. The roadmap follows a critical path approach to strengthening Tajikistan's ability to combat proliferation of WMD through training and equipping. (COMMENT: One of the points introduced on the roadmap was aviation units for the Border Guards and Ministry of Emergency Situations. We have discussed this point in the past, and concluded that aviation is not presently sustainable in Tajikistan, however the ICP organizers told Embassy officers that this would be an OSD decision and left it on the roadmap. Embassy Dushanbe looks forward to OSD's response. END COMMENT). ARMBRUSTER NNNN