Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TASHKENT589
2008-05-23 04:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:
SIGN OF BETTER TIMES? LAND BORDER CROSSING FROM
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHNT #0589 1440417 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 230417Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9693 INFO RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT 3981 RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA 0194 RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 4596 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 0475 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0397 RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 0478 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 4202 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 2481 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 0514 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1147 RUEHUM/AMEMBASSY ULAANBAATAR 0135 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 2478 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC 0061 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000589
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SOCI ECON KZ UZ
SUBJECT: SIGN OF BETTER TIMES? LAND BORDER CROSSING FROM
UZBEKISTAN GETS EASIER
REF: 07 TASHKENT 1894
Classified By: Political Officer Tim Buckley for reasons 1.4 (B,D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000589
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SOCI ECON KZ UZ
SUBJECT: SIGN OF BETTER TIMES? LAND BORDER CROSSING FROM
UZBEKISTAN GETS EASIER
REF: 07 TASHKENT 1894
Classified By: Political Officer Tim Buckley for reasons 1.4 (B,D)
1. (C) In contrast to the land border crossing experience of
poloffs traveling from Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan last year
(reftel),on April 26 a POLOFF on an unofficial trip in a
personal vehicle encountered only pleasant, efficient service
from Uzbek border guards and customs officials. Whereas
poloffs on the previous trip through the Gisht-Koprik
crossing point (approximately 10 kilometers north of
Tashkent) were intentionally delayed, the crossing in this
case took only as long as the typical bureaucracy --
recording vehicle details and entering passport data -- about
10 minutes for POLOFF and accompanying family members
combined. The Uzbek staff seemed at ease with an American
diplomat and were clearly under no instructions to inform
higher authorities prior to processing the exit.
2. (C) The checkpoint was very busy, and the vast majority of
people crossing the border were northbound on foot. A swarm
of minibuses and taxis wait on either side of the border,
leaving only a small opening for the occasional vehicle to
work its way up to the gates. Despite the large crowd, it
appeared that the flow was fairly smooth and quick by Uzbek
standards, especially in comparison with airport arrivals.
(Comment: This is likely due to the Government of
Uzbekistan's keen interest in logging where its citizens are
traveling abroad, whereas large numbers of Uzbeks routinely
cross into Kazakhstan seeking employment or to shuttle goods
back to Uzbek bazaars. End comment.) Uzbek citizens do not
require visas to enter Kazakhstan and vice versa.
3. (C) The Kazakh authorities were also polite and efficient,
and the few travelers in vehicles (regardless of diplomatic
status) seemed to be routed to the VIP hall where the wait
was minimal beyond processing times. A sign even identified
the name of the adjudicating officer. (Note: Down the road
in Chimkent, Kazakhstan, POLOFF marveled at supermarkets
stocked with a range of premium import beers where people
lined up to use functional automatic banking machines. This
is unheard of in cash-only Tashkent. End note.) POLOFF
repeated the crossing process in reverse on April 27 and once
again found authorities in good cheer and remarkably
efficient by Central Asian standards, with a processing time
of about 10 minutes on each side.
Comment:
--------------
4. (C) The relaxed attitude of the border guards and customs
officials at the busiest land border checkpoint from
Uzbekistan may be a sign of better times. The Embassy has
implemented numerous training programs and donated equipment
for Uzbek border guard and customs officials over the years,
and the rank-and-file staff view American diplomats
favorably. Officials at a higher level may have specifically
informed them that it's ok to let their guard down with
traveling official Americans, at least for now.
NORLAND
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SOCI ECON KZ UZ
SUBJECT: SIGN OF BETTER TIMES? LAND BORDER CROSSING FROM
UZBEKISTAN GETS EASIER
REF: 07 TASHKENT 1894
Classified By: Political Officer Tim Buckley for reasons 1.4 (B,D)
1. (C) In contrast to the land border crossing experience of
poloffs traveling from Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan last year
(reftel),on April 26 a POLOFF on an unofficial trip in a
personal vehicle encountered only pleasant, efficient service
from Uzbek border guards and customs officials. Whereas
poloffs on the previous trip through the Gisht-Koprik
crossing point (approximately 10 kilometers north of
Tashkent) were intentionally delayed, the crossing in this
case took only as long as the typical bureaucracy --
recording vehicle details and entering passport data -- about
10 minutes for POLOFF and accompanying family members
combined. The Uzbek staff seemed at ease with an American
diplomat and were clearly under no instructions to inform
higher authorities prior to processing the exit.
2. (C) The checkpoint was very busy, and the vast majority of
people crossing the border were northbound on foot. A swarm
of minibuses and taxis wait on either side of the border,
leaving only a small opening for the occasional vehicle to
work its way up to the gates. Despite the large crowd, it
appeared that the flow was fairly smooth and quick by Uzbek
standards, especially in comparison with airport arrivals.
(Comment: This is likely due to the Government of
Uzbekistan's keen interest in logging where its citizens are
traveling abroad, whereas large numbers of Uzbeks routinely
cross into Kazakhstan seeking employment or to shuttle goods
back to Uzbek bazaars. End comment.) Uzbek citizens do not
require visas to enter Kazakhstan and vice versa.
3. (C) The Kazakh authorities were also polite and efficient,
and the few travelers in vehicles (regardless of diplomatic
status) seemed to be routed to the VIP hall where the wait
was minimal beyond processing times. A sign even identified
the name of the adjudicating officer. (Note: Down the road
in Chimkent, Kazakhstan, POLOFF marveled at supermarkets
stocked with a range of premium import beers where people
lined up to use functional automatic banking machines. This
is unheard of in cash-only Tashkent. End note.) POLOFF
repeated the crossing process in reverse on April 27 and once
again found authorities in good cheer and remarkably
efficient by Central Asian standards, with a processing time
of about 10 minutes on each side.
Comment:
--------------
4. (C) The relaxed attitude of the border guards and customs
officials at the busiest land border checkpoint from
Uzbekistan may be a sign of better times. The Embassy has
implemented numerous training programs and donated equipment
for Uzbek border guard and customs officials over the years,
and the rank-and-file staff view American diplomats
favorably. Officials at a higher level may have specifically
informed them that it's ok to let their guard down with
traveling official Americans, at least for now.
NORLAND