TAJIK TRANSPORT MINISTER PLEASED WITH BRIDGE

UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000302

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR SCOTT GREENIP, TDA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ELTN ECON TI AF
SUBJECT: TAJIK TRANSPORT MINISTER PLEASED WITH BRIDGE



1. On his first visit to the U.S.-funded bridge construction
site at Nizhniy Pyanzh, Transportation Minister Ashurov
expressed great satisfaction and offered to get involved
personally if problems arise regarding the cement supply or
customs. During the February 13 visit with PolOff and a
visiting Trade And Development Agency transportation mission,
Ashurov reported that President Rahmonov asked him about the
project two days earlier, and was waiting for a full briefing
after Ashurov's trip.


2. Ashurov had requested the visit during a January 27 meeting
with PolOff, noting he had not been to the site since the June
2005 groundbreaking ceremony. He expressed mild dissatisfaction
that even he, the Minister of Transportation, needed special
permission to get access to the site. The Project Engineer told
Ashurov that he and technical specialists from the Ministry
would be welcome at any time, provided they make arrangements
through the Embassy, assuaging Ashurov's concern.


3. Progress at the bridge was visible. The Project Engineer
noted that Tajik customs had held up some equipment for a
period, and a change in the management of the state cement
factory threatened to delay work. Ashurov observed that there
had been a trilateral agreement between the U.S., Afghan, and
Tajik governments, and the contractor, and he would get
personally involved with any further customs disputes to ensure
the project stayed on track. The Deputy Head of Khatlon
province asked some pointed questions about safety conditions
and wages for Tajik workers.


4. The seven-hour round trip car ride provided ample
opportunity to discuss other transportation priorities. Ashurov
noted road rehabilitation for major transit corridors had
attracted significant foreign attention, and many projects were
in various stages of planning and financing. The Japanese are
rehabilitating 23 km of road from the bridge to Dusti, which
then links to the main highway to Dushanbe. A Chinese
feasibility study of rebuilding the Sharshar pass by Nurek
should lead to a grant for that project. The Asian Development
Bank has taken the lead on other significant road projects,
including the strategically and commercially vital road from
Dushanbe, through the Rasht Valley, to the Kyrgyz border.


5. Although Tajik roads take a beating from flooding, rains,
and avalanches, the minister admitted there was not much
planning for minor maintenance and repairs; local governments
held that responsibility, but did not always allocate resources
for roads. However, budgets for maintenance have increased on
the local and national level - last year the central government
spent 40 million somoni (approx. $13 million) on road
maintenance and repair.


6. Ashurov made a plug for developing a tram/streetcar system
in Dushanbe to connect the city center to the fast-growing
residential regions on the outskirts. He suggested getting used
streetcars from Europe or America to build the system. Ashurov
is a career employee of the Transportation Ministry - he
referred to himself as an "automobilist" several times - and
took a great technical interest in the bridge and other possible
projects.


7. (SBU) COMMENT: Ashurov, a career employee of the Ministry
of Transport, got into the weeds on the technical aspects of the
bridge and seemed pleased with what he saw and heard. His
personal interest may well smooth the way and help keep this
strategic project on track. He enjoys a reputation as an honest
cabinet member, respected by the President, if not in the inner
circle, and should prove to be a key partner in the Central
Asian Infrastructure Integration Initiative. END COMMENT.

HOAGLAND