INITIAL MEETING WITH NEW TAJIK BORDER GUARDS CHIEF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 002223 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN AND INL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL SNAR MASS TI SUBJECT: INITIAL MEETING WITH NEW TAJIK BORDER GUARDS CHIEF DUSHANBE 00002223 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: The newly appointed head of the Tajik Border Forces within the State Committee on National Security, General-Major (US 1-star equivalent) Mirzoev, invited representatives from the U.S. Embassy and other donor countries and implementing agencies to an introductory meeting. General Mirzoev welcomed the attendees, whom Mirzoev identified as the primary sources of external support to the Border Guard. He told the gathered representatives he hoped for their continued cooperation and said he planned to meet soon with each partner individually. The meeting was short and business-like with minimum pleasantries and none of the usual vodka toasts. END SUMMARY ¶2. (U) General Mirzoev asked the attendees to introduce themselves and briefly comment on their assistance efforts. Sergey Bozhko of the UN Office of Drug Control described UNODC's INL-funded border control projects. Mahmoud Naderi, country officer for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) discussed the expansion of the Border Guards training center, improvements in passport automation and controls at the international airport, and collection of immigration information in an analytical center - all projects funded by INL. He also made a pitch to do another border management project at the Kulma Pass. Peter Isaacs, Project Manager for UNDP border management programs in Tajikistan (BOMCA),funded by the European Union, spoke about coordinating efforts to prevent duplication by the donors and emphasized Border Guards' responsibility for management of the Inter-Ministerial Council on Border Management. General Mirzoev confirmed the Border Guard would continue to chair the Council. Chinese Defense Attache Senior Colonel Lee Djyoon said he has enjoyed a good relationship with Mirzoev at the Ministry of Defense and that he looks forward to continuing to work together. Embassy Dushanbe was represented by Defense Attache, ODC, INL, and EXBS who described to the General and the group the U.S. Embassy's programs in support of the Border Guard and other Tajik government entities. The Russian Border Guard advisors, who typically participate in all donor coordination meetings in Dushanbe, were not present. ¶3. (U) General Mirzoev acknowledged the wide-ranging assistance received from the donors and said the Border Guards' central purpose was to ensure the security of Tajikistan's borders and safety of people in Tajikistan and the region. Mirzoev said the absorption of the Border Guard into the Ministry of Security was done to "put the management structure in order" and to strengthen controls on the border, but explained that the internal structure of the Border Guard Forces would not be changed. The State Committee on National Security will provide assistance in resolving certain problems on the border, he said, but the tasks of the Border Guard Forces remains the same: combating drug trafficking, terrorism, contraband of all kinds including illegal weapons and WMD, and illegal immigration. ¶4. (U) General Mirzoev said that he was on his third day of inspecting the Border Guard Forces and that he is aware of many unmet needs at the border where assistance is still required. The outposts lack computers and other equipment for conducting border control operations. Life among the soldiers is still tough, although much has been done to improve the daily living conditions. Mirzoev described the government's effort to bring the border guard facilities up to proper standards, and commented that even developed countries with more established border services are having trouble managing their borders. He characterized the Tajik Border Guard as young, referring to the fact that until 2005 the Russian Federation was responsible for protecting Tajikistan's borders. He called for continued assistance and pledged to demonstrate to partners that the Border Guards can achieve real results. ¶5. (U) Responding to questions from the group, Mirzoev confirmed that donors would still be able to communicate directly with the Border Guards through official letters, diplomatic notes and named himself as the primary interlocutor. On the question of corruption, Mirzoev provided the routine response that the Government of Tajikistan was committed to battling corruption everywhere and that he would wage war against corruption within the Border Forces. He broke from his businesslike demeanor to relate that "his deputy had been tempted to take out an AK-47 DUSHANBE 00002223 002.2 OF 002 and sort out the problems himself." Mirzoev closed by saying he looked forward to meeting each of the partners individually to discuss assistance projects. ¶6. (SBU) COMMENT: Mirzoev presented himself as professional and disciplined, focusing on business and keeping pleasantries to a minimum. At least at this introductory meeting, Mirzoev decided to forego some of signs of Tajik hospitality such as vodka toasts or even handshakes as he left the meeting. However, he softened the edges a bit by including Colonel Tojibaev, our long-standing and trusted contact in the Border Guards international relations department. His facilitation of the meeting put the group at ease. Tojibaev said he will be staying on with the Border Guards in the same capacity, at least for the time being - a sign Mirzoev understands the need to cultivate relations with the donors. We and the other resident donors will certainly continue the dialogue with the newly reorganized border guards. Our next big test of the relationship will be our planned JCET training of the Border Guards special forces planned for January-February. JACOBSON