Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05DUSHANBE2052
2005-12-19 12:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dushanbe
Cable title:  

TAJIKISTAN WMD EXECUTIVE SEMINAR IN BUDAPEST

Tags:  ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM TI 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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

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


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