Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07DUSHANBE1561
2007-10-31 16:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dushanbe
Cable title:
OSCE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION CONFERENCE IN DUSHANBE
how-toVZCZCXRO4448 RR RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHDBU #1561/01 3041626 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 311626Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1247 INFO RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 2025 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1998 RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 1904 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 1263 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 3153 RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 2279 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 2301 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1832 RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA 0172 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 2226 RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1622 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1648 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 1790 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 2039 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK NY RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 0193
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 001561
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECIN ELTN ETRD TI
SUBJECT: OSCE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION CONFERENCE IN DUSHANBE
DUSHANBE 00001561 001.2 OF 002
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 001561
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECIN ELTN ETRD TI
SUBJECT: OSCE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION CONFERENCE IN DUSHANBE
DUSHANBE 00001561 001.2 OF 002
1. (U) Summary: Delegations to the OSCE Central Asian Regional
Transportation Conference in Dushanbe October 23-24 agreed to
promote streamlined transit routes and enhance public-private
partnerships in the transportation sector. The joint statement
released by the delegations underlined the role of the OSCE in
helping countries coordinate and share expertise in procedures
and regulatory frameworks. Presenters noted that Central Asia
faces major geographical and physical barriers, but that
administrative barriers are more important to overcome.
Tajikistan proposed creating an international center in Dushanbe
to improve regional harmonization. Uzbekistan fully
participated in the conference, while Turkmenistan remained
outside the boundaries of regional cooperation. End Summary.
Conference on the Prospects for the Development of Trans-Asian
and Eurasian Transit Transportation through Central Asia till
the Year 2015
-------------- --------------
-------------- -
2. (U) Delegations from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan,
Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and
Azerbaijan, joined representatives from the OSCE, UN development
agencies, international development banks, chambers of commerce
and private organizations to discuss regional transit and
transportation issues. Presenters discussed road, rail, and air
transport, and the particular challenges of landlocked
countries. The conference highlighted the OSCE's continuing
role in bringing together regional representatives to discuss
transport issues.
3. (U) Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi welcomed
delegates to the conference, which Tajikistan had pushed the
OSCE to hold in Dushanbe for over two years. Presentations by
government representatives helped delegates assess gaps and
priorities in infrastructure, regulatory cooperation, customs
and border control policies. The polished Kazakh presentation
underscored Kazakhstan's leadership potential in terms of
regional development.
Fewer Infrastructure Projects - Better Border Procedures
-------------- --------------
--------------
4. (U) Several speakers noted that streamlining border and
customs procedures would have greater effect than big
infrastructure projects. According to the World Bank's "Doing
Business" survey, customs and border clearance takes 8-11 days
in Central Asia compared to 3-5 days in Europe. The Afghan
representatives noted the difficulties Afghan businesspeople
face getting visas to Tajikistan, while the Tajik Drug Control
Agency noted the rising level of Afghan narcotics flowing
through Tajikistan and the need for improved border security.
5. (U) Several multilateral organizations noted that joining
international conventions can help push countries into reforming
their transit regulations. Robert Nowak, of the United Nations
Economic Commission for Europe, noted that all former Soviet
countries except Moldova, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan have
signed the 1982 International Convention on the Harmonization of
Frontier Controls of Goods controlling border crossing.
However, a representative from the American Chamber of Commerce
in Georgia argued that internal pressure and political will was
far more important as a catalyst for reforms in Georgia.
6. (U) Speakers from the World Customs Organization, the
International Road Transport Union, and the OSCE described
funding and training opportunities for regional countries. A
DUSHANBE 00001561 002.2 OF 002
representative of the new four-year USAID Regional Trade
Liberalization and Customs Project asserted the need for risk
assessment and border point audits in order to facilitate border
procedures. The Asian Development Bank-led Central Asia
Regional Economic Cooperation program noted its upcoming
November 2-3 Dushanbe conference on transport and infrastructure
issues.
7. (U) Comment: The event highlighted the important OSCE role in
bringing together Central Asian countries on trade and transit
issues; whether the governments of Central Asia will use these
opportunities to improve transport development remains unclear.
Political differences (as highlighted by the mutual criticism of
Afghan and Tajik representatives in para 4),lack of technical
capacity, and corruption hamper coordination between agencies
and countries. In a hopeful moment for Central Asian
cooperation, the Uzbek representative had the last word at the
conference, thanking the Tajik hosts for putting on a fine
event. End Comment.
JACOBSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECIN ELTN ETRD TI
SUBJECT: OSCE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION CONFERENCE IN DUSHANBE
DUSHANBE 00001561 001.2 OF 002
1. (U) Summary: Delegations to the OSCE Central Asian Regional
Transportation Conference in Dushanbe October 23-24 agreed to
promote streamlined transit routes and enhance public-private
partnerships in the transportation sector. The joint statement
released by the delegations underlined the role of the OSCE in
helping countries coordinate and share expertise in procedures
and regulatory frameworks. Presenters noted that Central Asia
faces major geographical and physical barriers, but that
administrative barriers are more important to overcome.
Tajikistan proposed creating an international center in Dushanbe
to improve regional harmonization. Uzbekistan fully
participated in the conference, while Turkmenistan remained
outside the boundaries of regional cooperation. End Summary.
Conference on the Prospects for the Development of Trans-Asian
and Eurasian Transit Transportation through Central Asia till
the Year 2015
-------------- --------------
-------------- -
2. (U) Delegations from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan,
Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and
Azerbaijan, joined representatives from the OSCE, UN development
agencies, international development banks, chambers of commerce
and private organizations to discuss regional transit and
transportation issues. Presenters discussed road, rail, and air
transport, and the particular challenges of landlocked
countries. The conference highlighted the OSCE's continuing
role in bringing together regional representatives to discuss
transport issues.
3. (U) Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi welcomed
delegates to the conference, which Tajikistan had pushed the
OSCE to hold in Dushanbe for over two years. Presentations by
government representatives helped delegates assess gaps and
priorities in infrastructure, regulatory cooperation, customs
and border control policies. The polished Kazakh presentation
underscored Kazakhstan's leadership potential in terms of
regional development.
Fewer Infrastructure Projects - Better Border Procedures
-------------- --------------
--------------
4. (U) Several speakers noted that streamlining border and
customs procedures would have greater effect than big
infrastructure projects. According to the World Bank's "Doing
Business" survey, customs and border clearance takes 8-11 days
in Central Asia compared to 3-5 days in Europe. The Afghan
representatives noted the difficulties Afghan businesspeople
face getting visas to Tajikistan, while the Tajik Drug Control
Agency noted the rising level of Afghan narcotics flowing
through Tajikistan and the need for improved border security.
5. (U) Several multilateral organizations noted that joining
international conventions can help push countries into reforming
their transit regulations. Robert Nowak, of the United Nations
Economic Commission for Europe, noted that all former Soviet
countries except Moldova, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan have
signed the 1982 International Convention on the Harmonization of
Frontier Controls of Goods controlling border crossing.
However, a representative from the American Chamber of Commerce
in Georgia argued that internal pressure and political will was
far more important as a catalyst for reforms in Georgia.
6. (U) Speakers from the World Customs Organization, the
International Road Transport Union, and the OSCE described
funding and training opportunities for regional countries. A
DUSHANBE 00001561 002.2 OF 002
representative of the new four-year USAID Regional Trade
Liberalization and Customs Project asserted the need for risk
assessment and border point audits in order to facilitate border
procedures. The Asian Development Bank-led Central Asia
Regional Economic Cooperation program noted its upcoming
November 2-3 Dushanbe conference on transport and infrastructure
issues.
7. (U) Comment: The event highlighted the important OSCE role in
bringing together Central Asian countries on trade and transit
issues; whether the governments of Central Asia will use these
opportunities to improve transport development remains unclear.
Political differences (as highlighted by the mutual criticism of
Afghan and Tajik representatives in para 4),lack of technical
capacity, and corruption hamper coordination between agencies
and countries. In a hopeful moment for Central Asian
cooperation, the Uzbek representative had the last word at the
conference, thanking the Tajik hosts for putting on a fine
event. End Comment.
JACOBSON