DEA/ICITAP VISITS ASHGABAT AND FINDS IDEAS FOR NEW

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