Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ASHGABAT219
2006-02-22 09:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
EMBASSY ASHGABAT'S COUNTERNARCOTICS PRIORITIES
how-toVZCZCXRO4638 RR RUEHDBU RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHAH #0219 0530908 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 220908Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7020 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC//DHO-2/REA/NMJIC-J2// RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCJ5-E// RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5/RUE// RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000219
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN (PERRY),INL (HOOKER)
OSD/SOLIC (FROTHINGHAM/PIRRITANO)
CENTCOM (OCKMAN)
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MASS SNAR TX
SUBJECT: EMBASSY ASHGABAT'S COUNTERNARCOTICS PRIORITIES
Ref: A) STATE 19396
B) DUSHANBE 142
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000219
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN (PERRY),INL (HOOKER)
OSD/SOLIC (FROTHINGHAM/PIRRITANO)
CENTCOM (OCKMAN)
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MASS SNAR TX
SUBJECT: EMBASSY ASHGABAT'S COUNTERNARCOTICS PRIORITIES
Ref: A) STATE 19396
B) DUSHANBE 142
1. Per ref A, as the Department of Defense (DOD) takes
on a more substantial role in providing counternarcotics
(CN) assistance to Central Asia, Embassy Ashgabat is
providing a prioritized list of prospective DOD-funded CN
projects in Turkmenistan.
2. Border Crossing Checkpoint Upgrades: $10 million
Currently two-out-of-five GOTX-identified KPP's (border
crossing checkpoint) are being constructed with DOD
money: Imamnazar (Afghan border),Altyn Assyr (Iranian
border). Funding the additional three posts will help
secure all border areas against the flow of narcotics and
precursors. Anecdotal evidence has shown the UK
Embassy's enhancement project of the Serhetebad KPP on
the border with Afghanistan diverted traffic to the under-
equipped Imamnazar KPP. A concerted effort to increase
the functionality of the three additional KPPs,
complemented by a program to train KPP staff, will
support CN efforts in Afghanistan and thwart any
potential for increased trafficking.
3. Border Liaison Project: $2 million
Post continues to advocate for an integrated regional
approach to the KPP projects. Cross-border training and
communication are essential components for a long-term
solution to regional CN challenges. Post proposes using
the USG-constructed KPP project sites as models for cross-
border communication systems and specific training
directed at high-level officers in Ashgabat and on-site
officers at each KPP. (Note: This proposal excludes the
KPPs on the Iranian border. End Note.) The British
Embassy intends to propose a similar project at the
Serhetebad KPP on the border with Afghanistan. Harris
radios have been recommended as a regional inter-border
communication system.
4. Drug Control Authority (DCA): $2 million
The UK government has pledged 250 thousand pounds
(approximately $490,000) to establish a UNODC-led DCA in
Turkmenistan. Supplementing this solid financial
foundation with a USG commitment to horizontally-
integrate a CN law enforcement mechanism is compatible
with regional approaches to control narcotics and
precursor trafficking.
5. COMMENT: All three proposals are reasonable and
independently sustainable by the GOTX and/or regional
cross-border partners for the long-term. These projects
focus on providing immediate and short-term solutions to
trafficking, but do not require continuous USG financing
beyond program monitoring in the out years. End Comment.
JACOBSON
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN (PERRY),INL (HOOKER)
OSD/SOLIC (FROTHINGHAM/PIRRITANO)
CENTCOM (OCKMAN)
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MASS SNAR TX
SUBJECT: EMBASSY ASHGABAT'S COUNTERNARCOTICS PRIORITIES
Ref: A) STATE 19396
B) DUSHANBE 142
1. Per ref A, as the Department of Defense (DOD) takes
on a more substantial role in providing counternarcotics
(CN) assistance to Central Asia, Embassy Ashgabat is
providing a prioritized list of prospective DOD-funded CN
projects in Turkmenistan.
2. Border Crossing Checkpoint Upgrades: $10 million
Currently two-out-of-five GOTX-identified KPP's (border
crossing checkpoint) are being constructed with DOD
money: Imamnazar (Afghan border),Altyn Assyr (Iranian
border). Funding the additional three posts will help
secure all border areas against the flow of narcotics and
precursors. Anecdotal evidence has shown the UK
Embassy's enhancement project of the Serhetebad KPP on
the border with Afghanistan diverted traffic to the under-
equipped Imamnazar KPP. A concerted effort to increase
the functionality of the three additional KPPs,
complemented by a program to train KPP staff, will
support CN efforts in Afghanistan and thwart any
potential for increased trafficking.
3. Border Liaison Project: $2 million
Post continues to advocate for an integrated regional
approach to the KPP projects. Cross-border training and
communication are essential components for a long-term
solution to regional CN challenges. Post proposes using
the USG-constructed KPP project sites as models for cross-
border communication systems and specific training
directed at high-level officers in Ashgabat and on-site
officers at each KPP. (Note: This proposal excludes the
KPPs on the Iranian border. End Note.) The British
Embassy intends to propose a similar project at the
Serhetebad KPP on the border with Afghanistan. Harris
radios have been recommended as a regional inter-border
communication system.
4. Drug Control Authority (DCA): $2 million
The UK government has pledged 250 thousand pounds
(approximately $490,000) to establish a UNODC-led DCA in
Turkmenistan. Supplementing this solid financial
foundation with a USG commitment to horizontally-
integrate a CN law enforcement mechanism is compatible
with regional approaches to control narcotics and
precursor trafficking.
5. COMMENT: All three proposals are reasonable and
independently sustainable by the GOTX and/or regional
cross-border partners for the long-term. These projects
focus on providing immediate and short-term solutions to
trafficking, but do not require continuous USG financing
beyond program monitoring in the out years. End Comment.
JACOBSON