KAZAKHSTAN: OSCE BORDER ASSESSMENT

UNCLAS ASTANA 001285 SIPDIS STATE FOR INL/AAE (ALTON),SCA/CEN (OMARA),SCA/RA (CUMMINGS),ISN (HARTSHORNE) OSD FOR HOWELL CENTCOM FOR MALCOM AND ROESNER SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR KCRM PREL KZ SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: OSCE BORDER ASSESSMENT REF: USMISSION OSCE 154 ¶1. Summary: Post looks for the upcoming OSCE assessment to provide the basis for more cross-border security programs and to enhance interagency regional liaison. In-country cooperation on border security is working well. The Mission's Security Assistance Working Group coordinates individual office programs. A common database of office border security training and assistance provided to GOK entities is under development by INL, OMC, and DAO. End summary. ¶2. Post looks forward to the comprehensive survey of borders in Central Asia that the assessment described in reftel will provide. The field visits and meetings of border security and management agencies particularly look to be sources of valuable insights for new cooperation, particularly in establishing the operational basis for cross-border programs to train and equip border guards and other border security personnel. In addition to bilateral cross-border programs, Post looks forward to the results of the assessment regarding region-wide border security programs such as a common communication platform, or establishment of a regional border forum where approaches to issues like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) can be formulated. ¶3. In Kazakhstan, the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Office (INL),Office of Export Control and Border Security (EXBS), Office of Military Cooperation (OMC),and the Defense Threat Reduction Office (DTRO-A) all implement programs to strengthen Kazakhstan's borders. The Kazakhstan Mission Security Assistance Working Group, comprised of these and other members, under the guidance of the DCM has worked diligently to coordinate border security programs. SAWG members have agreed that INL and OMC will sponsor creation of a mission-wide database of all border security training and equipment provided to Kazakhstani border security services. ¶4. Post views inter-regional and cross-border programs as an area where further improvement could be realized. It is anticipated that the OSCE Border Assessment could provide solid data to construct and implement joint programs. Especially regarding narcotics interdiction, Post assesses that most governments in the region focus almost exclusively on southern borders, the direction from which the narcotics are entering. As a quick glance at any map will show, one country's southern border is another country's northern so cross-border cooperation could achieve efficient use of scarce assistance funds. ¶5. Post point of contact for the OSCE Border Security assessment is INL Officer Jeffrey Scott Waldo. Mr. Waldo can be contacted at (tel) +7-3172-70-22-96; (cell) +7-777-232-99-41; (unclassified email) waldojs@state.gov. ORDWAY