MAKING A SPLASH IN TAJIKISTAN WITH WATER ASSISTANCE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 000254 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD PREL SENV KPWR EAID PGOV TI SUBJECT: MAKING A SPLASH IN TAJIKISTAN WITH WATER ASSISTANCE REF: (A) 2006 Dushanbe 1558; (B) 2006 Dushanbe 1717 DUSHANBE 00000254 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. Summary: Tajikistan's new water minister Masaid Hamidov appreciates U.S. support for rural water users' programs and water systems rehabilitation, but requested training exchanges to the United States as the best "hands-on" way to expose his staff to new technologies. The World Bank and Asian Development Bank actively support Tajikistan's water sector, but some strings attached to their grants make little sense for Tajik farmers. Post remains engaged with the Tajik government on water issues and hopes to send several ministry officials on a joint International Visitor Program with their Afghan counterparts. However, a shrinking assistance budget will make it hard to continue some of our most successful programs. End Summary. ¶2. In an introductory meeting February 14 with the Ambassador, newly-appointed Minister of Water of Land Reclamation and Water Resources Masaid Hamidov expressed appreciation for USAID support of Tajikistan's Water Users Association project. Winrock International in particular had played a crucial role in helping establish local associations and teach them to function effectively, and he urged continued U.S. funding for the program. He also praised the Embassy's Office of Defense Cooperation's efforts to rehabilitate the drinking water supply in rural Khatlon district. Memorandum of Understanding Still Pending -------------- -------------- ¶3. Hamidov noted the Memorandum of Understanding between Afghanistan and Tajikistan concerning the Amu Daria River Basin proposed in August 2006 (ref A) was still sitting at the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, awaiting clearance. (Note: According to Tajik law, any intra-governmental agreements must be cleared by a variety of ministries, often Finance, Security, Foreign Affairs, and Economic Development and Trade. This has frequently slowed the process, when ministries unfamiliar with an issue take their time in approving a memorandum. End Note.) He said the two sides planned to sign the memorandum after arranging a meeting between Tajik and Afghan counterparts in Dushanbe. Seeing is Believing: More Exchanges Requested -------------- -------------- ¶4. A 1999 U.S.-funded trip to California left Hamidov with strong impressions of American irrigation systems and water management technologies. He asked the Ambassador about the possibility of training exchanges for his ministry employees and regional staff from outlying districts, noting that nothing was better than first-hand practical experience to teach a lesson. A lack of funds prevented Tajikistan from financing these trips abroad for its water professionals, and he regretted that Tajikistan could not afford to send representatives to the upcoming International Water Forum in the United States. He remembered fondly his own visits as an opportunity to understand not only U.S. water technology, but American food and culture. World Bank and Asian Development Bank Assistance -------------- -------------- -------------- ¶5. The World Bank and Asian Development Bank have also committed serious funds to water projects in Tajikistan. The World Bank allocated $13 million for a grant in northern Tajikistan to rehabilitate water pumps to lower the level of ground water in the Sughd region, allowing farmers to use the land. The World Bank has also provided funds for pump station DUSHANBE 00000254 002.2 OF 002 reconstruction, and provided office equipment and computers to help with Water Users' Associations. The Ministry redirected $3.2 million in Asian Development Bank grant money from Sughd to southern Khatlon district to help reinforce river banks in a well-known flood zone. ¶6. Hamidov commented that the Asian Development Bank's strict rules on tenders and suppliers sometimes made it difficult for Tajikistan to comply. For example, regulations require grant recipients to purchase equipment only from the Bank's member countries. Tajikistan's farmers and water users are more familiar with and have better access to Russian water pumps. Chinese pumps are available, but not as reliable. French and German pumps are too technologically advanced, and the Ministry does not have the human engineering capacity to maintain these pumps nor the funds to send staff to Europe for technical training. In addition, pumps only work when electricity is flowing, which is only 25% of the time. ¶7. Comment: Hamidov appears eager to have the same fruitful working relationship with the Embassy as we enjoyed with his predecessor. His request for more exchange programs indicates an important understanding of training and capacity building that does not exist at all levels of the Tajik government. Post has already proposed several water-related exchanges, including a Tajik-Afghan International Visitor Program on boundary water issues. Hamidov's plea for U.S. support for the Water Users' Association programs may have come too late, as the current project fell victim to the reduced USAID budget. A planned USAID agriculture project will work with existing Water Users' Associations, but currently, there is no funding to rehabilitate infrastructure and no money to establish new Water Users' Associations in areas where they do not already exist. End Comment. HUSHEK