Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ASHGABAT1043
2007-09-27 12:50:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:  

DEA/ICITAP VISITS ASHGABAT AND FINDS IDEAS FOR NEW

Tags:  PBTS PREL SNAR TX 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9724
PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLH RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHAH #1043/01 2701250
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 271250Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9450
INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 2809
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0631
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0507
RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 1083
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1792
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0578
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 001043 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN AND INL, MOSCOW ALSO FOR DEA, DUSHANBE
ALSO FOR DEA, ISLAMABAD ALSO FOR DEA, ANKARA ALSO FOR DEA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PBTS PREL SNAR TX
SUBJECT: DEA/ICITAP VISITS ASHGABAT AND FINDS IDEAS FOR NEW
COOPERATION


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 001043

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN AND INL, MOSCOW ALSO FOR DEA, DUSHANBE
ALSO FOR DEA, ISLAMABAD ALSO FOR DEA, ANKARA ALSO FOR DEA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PBTS PREL SNAR TX
SUBJECT: DEA/ICITAP VISITS ASHGABAT AND FINDS IDEAS FOR NEW
COOPERATION



1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.


2. (SBU) SUMMARY: During a September 10-14 training visit
to Turkmenistan, a joint Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA) and Department of Justice (DOJ) International Criminal
Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) delegation
found that the new Chief of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
(MVD) Criminal Research Center has, since their May 2007
visit, overhauled the laboratory and is well along toward
making the laboratory a real, functioning forensics unit.
While President Berdimuhamedov's public acknowledgment
earlier this year that Turkmenistan has a narcotics problem
may have spurred progress, this individual nonetheless has
proven that he both has the contacts and the will to help
boost Turkmenistan's laboratory forensics capability.
ICITAP's next visit will be in November, when it returns for
a criminal forensics training program. Post strongly
encourages DEA to consider inviting the lab chief to the
February 2008 International Forensics Conference in
Washington, DC. END SUMMARY.

CONTINUING THE RELATIONSHIP: ONE SUCCESS STORY


3. (SBU) The ICITAP delegation visited Ashgabat September
10-14 to train personnel on donated laboratory forensics
equipment and build on the momentum of previous collaboration
efforts with the Ministry of Internal Affairs' (MVD) Criminal
Research Center. Consultant Robert Bianchi, DEA Senior
Forensic Chemist Bryan L. Geer, and DOJ/ICITAP Forensic
Science Development Coordinator Mark Mogle found their
Turkmenistan interlocutors interactive and willing to share
information, except -- as usual -- statistics.

ACTIVIST LAB CHIEF UNEXPECTEDLY OVERHAULS FORENSICS FACILITY


4. (SBU) The delegation was most pleasantly surprised by the
unexpectedly activist new laboratory chief. While the
delegation during a May trip had been concerned by the then
newly-minted lab chief's seeming lack of engagement and
tendency to refer all questions to subordinates, it found
that he had since ordered and overseen a total renovation of
the forensics laboratory's previously cramped quarters, using
his observations during tours of Western European labs to
design the layout. DEA complimented the laboratory's new
set-up. Accompanying this renovation, the ICITAP team
believes, is a new attitude about using the equipment, which
previously has been rarely used between visits. ICITAP noted
that lab personnel seemed more confident about using the
equipment, a confidence that comes only with more frequent
use. MVD also accepted DEA standard forms for handling
evidence that it will use in the future.

NEW AREAS FOR ASSISTANCE


5. (SBU) The delegation also noted that the chemistry
department of the MVD's Criminal Research Center needs at
least one staff member who knows English. Knowledge of
English will help integrate this laboratory with the greater
international scientific community. It also would allow lab
personnel to access English-language equipment manuals of
ICITAP-donated equipment and international science and
forensics periodicals. ICITAP requested that the Embassy
include one or more forensic laboratory personnel in the
English Language Teaching Program for law enforcement
employees at the Turkmenistan Customs Academy that it jointly
funds with the UK Embassy. Once that individual's English is
up to par, ICITAP plans to offer him extensive training at
the U.S. forensic laboratory. ICITAP and DEA will return in
November to run a two-week crime-scene training program and
will host two or three scientists at the International
Forensics Conference in Washington, DC, in February 2008.


ASHGABAT 00001043 002 OF 002



6. (SBU) COMMENT: Cooperation in law enforcement and
counter-narcotics activities remains a growth area in the new
bilateral relationship -- all the more so since President
Berdimuhamedov went public in acknowledging Turkmenistan
faces a drug problem and called on law enforcement organs to
expand international counter-narcotics contacts in order to
fight trafficking more effectively. In this respect, Post,
too, is especially pleased with the new lab chief, who has
proven to have both the contacts and the will to do more than
the minimum. Post recommends that DEA strongly consider
ensuring that the lab chief is included in the Turkmenistan
delegation attending the forensic conference in Washington in
February 2008. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND