TURKMENISTAN BURNS 1.7 TONS OF NARCOTICS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000608 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN (PERRY),INL/AAE (HOOKER) TASHKENT FOR CORTINOVIS ALMATY FOR WALDO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR PREL PINR PGOV PBTS TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN BURNS 1.7 TONS OF NARCOTICS REF: 05 ASHGABAT 00907 SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) On May 28, for the third time in a year, Turkmenistan invited personnel from diplomatic missions to observe the destruction of seized narcotics. For the first time, ambassadors and local and foreign media were also invited to attend the destruction. While claiming that it is not a transit country, Turkmenistan asserts it does its part in the fight against narcotics trafficking. End Summary. HIGH-LEVEL PARTICIPATION -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The May 28 drug burn was the third time in a year that participants from diplomatic missions were invited to observe narcotics destruction. The first destruction event (reftel) in August 2005 was a small- scale test burn, while the second in September 2005 was billed as a full destruction of all narcotics seized since 2001 (approximately 600 kg of heroin and 1400 kg of opium). These events were only attended by the UNODC and those embassies most interested in counternarcotics efforts in Turkmenistan (American, British, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese). For this third event, however, representatives from every embassy were invited, and many ambassadors attended. Foreign and domestic media also reported on the event. GOTX - FAMILIAR FACES -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Deputy Chairman of the State Counternarcotics Coordination Commission at the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and Chief of the State Service for Registration of Foreigners (SSRF) Myrad Yslamov and other high ranking law enforcement officials met the team of diplomats and journalists in Manysh. The embassy enjoys good relations with most of the attending GOTX officials, including the Deputy Chief of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) Saparberdi Atabayev, First Deputy Head of State Border Service (SBS) Rahmangeldi Annasahedov, First Deputy Minister of Justice Batyr Arniyazov, Deputy Chief of the State Customs Service (SCS) Amanmammed Muhametguliev, and Chief of Criminal of Examinations Center (Forensic Laboratory) Yakub Orazov. ¶4. (SBU) According to Yslamov, the GOTX was incinerating 1768 kilograms of drugs (143 kg of heroin and 1625 kg of opium) seized between October 2005 and May 2006. He stated that the recent single largest seizure was about one ton and that the majority of drugs were coming from Afghanistan and Iran. Yslamov asked several diplomats to throw bags of narcotics into the oven (without gloves or other safety equipment). While the drug burn would take all day, participants were invited for a Turkmen breakfast with vodka before being allowed to flee the mid-morning heat. GOOD ADVERTISMENT -------------- ¶5. (SBU) In his welcome speech, Yslamov said that the president of Turkmenistan is concerned about the fight against narcotics and praised the assistance of the international community in this regard. He also stated that Turkmenistan was not a transit country. Yslamov then asked several ambassadors and heads of international organizations to give a brief interview to the local media to praise cooperation with the GOTX in fight against drugs. Yslamov specifically asked an embassy officer, the British Deputy Head of Mission, and the EU BOMCA Project Coordinator to give an interview. Yslamov personally approached EmbOff several times to ASHGABAT 00000608 002 OF 002 ensure his interview. Comment -------------- ¶6. (SBU) In 2004 and 2005, the International Narcotics Board (INCB) repeatedly expressed concern about the failure of the GOTX to cooperate with the international community in combating narcotics. This latest drug burn is an ongoing, low-risk attempt to show better cooperation. The quantity of narcotics seized in the last eight months almost equals the amount that was destroyed for the previous four years. Since the government still won't share timely and complete seizure data, it is still impossible to know if these numbers truly indicate increased effectiveness in their counternarcotics efforts. End Comment. JACOBSON