EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM - 2008 (TASHKENT)

UNCLAS TASHKENT 000470 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR SCA/CEN, OES/STC FOR EILEEN KANE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TSPL AMGT UZ SUBJECT: EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM - 2008 (TASHKENT) REF: STATE 28712 ¶1. (U) Per reftel, Post requests the temporary posting of an Embassy Science Fellow to Embassy Tashkent for approximately six weeks in September-October 2008. No medical or security clearance is required. If approved for participation in the program, Post commits to provide housing, office support, in-country travel arrangements, and other logistical support as required, barring any unexpected reductions in Post funding. The points of contact for substantive questions about this request are Political Officer Steven Prohaska, tel: 998-71-120-5450, email: prohaskasn@state.gov, and Environmental Affairs Specialist Bakhtiyor Mukhamadiev, tel: 998-71-120-5450, email: mukhamadievbr@state.gov. Management-related questions may be directed to Management Chief Doug Ellrich, tel: 998-71-120-5450, email: ellrichdk@state.gov. ¶2. (SBU) Post requests the assignment of a water management expert to Embassy Tashkent. Transboundary water management is a sensitive issue that the Government of Uzbekistan is keenly interested in, and has been a source of tension between the countries of Central Asia, so the Embassy Science Fellow's interaction with Uzbek officials will be undertaken in close cooperation with the Embassy's Political/Economic Section, DCM, and Ambassador. Post proposes responsibilities for the Fellow to include: assessments and recommendations on transboundary water issues related to the Amu Darya in light of recent developments in Afghanistan and Turkmenistan; assessing USAID projects on water management; conducting training for the Water Users' Association of USAID; giving presentations on his work; and meeting with the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of Central Asia as well as Government of Uzbekistan officials on transboundary water matters. Uzbekistan is a member state of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, and the posting of an Embassy Science Fellow here would advance OES plans to establish partnerships with scientists in the Muslim world. NORLAND