Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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06TASHKENT262 | 2006-02-01 13:06:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Tashkent |
1. (C) Summary: The GOU and UN claim that the Friendship Bridge border crossing between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan is very active. Recent visits to the bridge show that the border crossing there is in significantly better condition than other border posts in Uzbekistan. However, Emboffs have observed little traffic crossing the border, calling into question GOU claims that it is actively contributing to stabilization efforts in Afghanistan. Infrastructure upgrades have made Friendship Bridge one of the most modern border crossings in the region. Given how little this crossing is actually used, Post believes we should consider directing future border assistance to other locations. End summary. 2. (U) Poloff, DATT, and Air Attache visited the Friendship Bridge border crossing between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan on January 19. The bridge links the Uzbek city of Termez with Hairaton in Afghanistan, and was built by the Soviet Army to supply its troops during the war in Afghanistan. It is the only vehicle-crossing on the Uzbek-Afghan border, although there is a nearby port for barges that can be used to move equipment too large for the bridge. -------------------------- Little Activity -------------------------- 3. (C) GOU and UN officials have told Emboffs that the bridge remains an active border crossing. First Deputy Foreign Minister Nematov claimed to visiting CENTCOM J5 that 90 percent of the humanitarian aid entering Afghanistan by land goes over the Friendship Bridge. Border guard and customs officials at the bridge told emboffs that at least one train crosses the bridge every day and that there are times when a large number of trucks are lined up on the road waiting for permission to cross. (Comment: This may have been the case when traffic from the U.S. airbase at Karshi- Kanabad was utilizing the land route into Afghanistan to supply troops and send humanitarian aid. In fact, the line of trucks at the border, likely resulted from Uzbek customs delays. End comment.) However, different customs officials independently told poloff that on average only five trucks and approximately 25 other vehicles cross the bridge a day. Most of the current traffic, to include rail shipments, consists of commercial cargo transiting through Uzbekistan from Turkey, Russia and other CIS countries. 4. (C) On January 19, Emboffs observed very little traffic at Friendship Bridge. Two trucks were sitting in a holding area at the point of entry awaiting clearance to continue into Uzbekistan, and a third was waiting for permission to enter Afghanistan. The only vehicular traffic observed was an Afghan diplomat crossing into Uzbekistan, although several people arrived on foot during Emboffs' visit. (Note: Afghan diplomats have told emboffs on several occasions, that even they must notify the MFA in advance to get permission to cross the Friendship Bridge. End note.) An empty train, which according to border guards had carried humanitarian supplies to Hairaton, was seen returning to Termez. (Comment: Border Guard officials said that the bridge is open to non-diplomatic traffic only between 0900 and 1800 hours. Emboffs visited the bridge at 0920 hours, which might account for the lack of activity at the border post. However, other USG officials, including a DTRA team that visited Termez the week of January 23, also noted a similar lack of activity.) -------------------------- Border Crossing A Cut Above -------------------------- 5. (SBU) United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime (UNODC) has been working to improve the Friendship Bridge border crossing since the Bridge was "reopened" in 2001. (Note: The majority of the funding for the UNODC project was provided by INL, although other donors, such as the United Kingdom, have also contributed. End note.) Border Guard and Customs personnel provided emboffs a tour of the checkpoint, which included a walkthrough of UNODC-provided facility upgrades. All of the equipment, including the TASHKENT 00000262 002 OF 002 video surveillance system, appeared to be operational, and personnel at the checkpoint appeared to be well trained, alert, and competent. However, since no non-diplomatic vehicles crossed the bridge during the visit, Emboffs did not observe the equipment being used. -------------------------- Comment: With Friends Like These -------------------------- 6. (C) The Uzbeks have talked a good game about engaging with Afghanistan and contributing to stabilization efforts there. The apparent lack of traffic over the Friendship Bridge calls this commitment into question, and import/export statistics for the first half of 2005 (reftel) suggest that what little interaction occurs is in one direction only. According to the GOU the Bridge is open for business. It seems, however, that the Uzbeks definition of "open" differs from ours. Clearly, the government continues to closely monitor and restrict all traffic that comes through and the word on the street seems be that without connections you will not be allowed to cross. Infrastructure upgrades already completed likely make this one of the most modern border crossings in the region. Given how little this crossing is actually used, Post believes we should consider directing further border assistance elsewhere. PURNELL |