SIGN OF BETTER TIMES? LAND BORDER CROSSING FROM

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