TURKMENISTAN: NEW CUSTOMS CHAIRMAN SEES NEW

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000881 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/ACE, INL DUSHANBE FOR DEA MOSCOW FOR DEA ISLAMABAD FOR DEA ANKARA FOR DEA AID/W FOR EE/EA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID SNAR TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: NEW CUSTOMS CHAIRMAN SEES NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR COOPERATION WITH THE U.S. REF: A. ASHGABAT 783 ¶B. OSD POLICY MESSAGE DTG 121132Z JUN 08 ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: State Customs Service Chairman Yaylym Berdiyev expressed his gratitude for U.S. assistance and eagerly discussed with emboffs his ideas for future cooperation. His first priority is to review all training programs, equipment purchases and results in the form of seizures from the past eight to ten years to analyze cost and resource effectiveness. Berdiyev's officers recently seized 25 kilograms of narcotics on the Iranian border, thanks to facilities and equipment supplied by the United States. The parliament is reviewing a new Customs Code which should cut down on the processing time for transiting cargo. The willingness to cooperate is there, and post sees potential for other U.S. agencies to assist in devising a framework for training topics and a schedule. END SUMMARY. EARLY PRIORITIES ¶3. (SBU) At an introductory meeting with State Customs Service Chairman Yaylym Berdiyev on July 10, he mentioned several times to emboffs that he has not yet had a chance to review his portfolio in its entirety. (NOTE: Until June 19, Berdiyev was chairman of the State Immigration Service (Ref. A). END NOTE.) Therefore, he could not fully comment on areas for future cooperation. Emboffs tried to address concerns raised by Berdiyev's predecessor related to the border crossing checkpoint construction program, which Nevada National Guard manages and CENTCOM/counternarcotics funds (Ref. B). However, Berdiyev also responded that he hadn't fully been read-in on this issue (septel). ¶4. (SBU) Berdiyev said that his first priority is to review all training programs, equipment purchases and results in the form of seizures from the past eight to ten years to analyze cost and resource effectiveness. He also mentioned that his deputy will make a needs-assessment visit next week to the Farap border crossing checkpoint, currently under construction with support from CENTCOM. Berdiyev said that he will assess the Altyn Asyr Customs Training Center and decide if a new facility is necessary. He added that the 
number of programs carried out at this facility will only increase in the future, in part due to the need to constantly train officers about new legislation. Berdiyev told emboffs that he has already informed his personnel of his expectations that they will be the best English students in the joint U.S.-British English Language Training program held at the Altyn Asyr Customs Training Center. After this review, he will be ready to discuss with the U.S. and other donors desired assistance and cooperation. BERDIYEV'S INITIAL THOUGHTS ON AREAS FOR FUTURE ASSISTANCE ¶5. (SBU) Berdiyev suggested several areas for future technical assistance: -- Train/retrain officers at ports of entry to upgrade skills, including but not exclusively on equipment such as endoscopes and busters; -- Train-the-trainer programs; and -- Establishment of a national monitoring center that would share and analyze data collected from the provinces on ASHGABAT 00000881 002 OF 002 movement of people and cargo (including narcotics). Berdiyev said that the Ministry of Communications will help to establish a fiber optic network for efficient information flow. NEW CUSTOMS CODE IN PROGRESS ¶6. (SBU) Berdiyev was aware that the Customs Code is being revamped, and that the new code would improve operations, speeding up cargo processing time resulting in a faster flow of goods across borders. However he seemed unaware that the proposed new Customs Code is already undergoing parliamentary review. THANKS TO THE U.S. FOR SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE ¶7. (SBU) Berdiyev said that law enforcement officers at the Altyn Asyr border crossing checkpoint in Balkan Province recently seized 25 kilograms of narcotics thanks to equipment and training provided by the United States. He also said the EXBS and CENTCOM counternarcotics programs have significantly contributed to building a positive relationship with Turkmenistan's law enforcement agencies. Berdiyev said that he would coordinate scanner needs with the State Counternarcotics Service. He added that Customs might buy some necessary equipment using its own financial resources. ¶8. (SBU) COMMENT: Although sacked soon after his return from the United States, former chairman Annaliyev was very impressed with his visit and Chairman Berdiyev appears just as open to a fuller relationship. Berdiyev was open to closer cooperation, and post believes we should build on our already good relations with the State Customs Service. One possible avenue is to work with them to produce a framework of training topics and a schedule. It would be important, however, to avoid duplication of techinical assistance with other donors. END COMMENT. HOAGLAND