Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT1010
2009-08-11 06:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: INL-FUNDED EQUIPMENT PRESENTED TO COUNTER
how-toVZCZCXRO9278 PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHBC RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHDF RUEHDIR RUEHIK RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNEH RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSL RUEHSR RUEHTRO RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHAH #1010 2230646 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 110646Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3274 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 5526 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 3246 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 3111 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY RHMCSUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 3769 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001010
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, INL/AAE BUHLER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KCRM SOCI SNAR TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: INL-FUNDED EQUIPMENT PRESENTED TO COUNTER
NARCOTICS SERVICE
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001010
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, INL/AAE BUHLER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KCRM SOCI SNAR TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: INL-FUNDED EQUIPMENT PRESENTED TO COUNTER
NARCOTICS SERVICE
1. SUMMARY: On August 6, the Charge presented two light vehicles
and twenty drug identification kits to the State Counter Narcotics
Service of Turkmenistan. The donation was part of the ongoing INL
counternarcotics project. SCNS officials praised our bilateral
cooperation and expressed gratitude for the continuing USG
assistance. They also stressed the need for additional training
opportunities. END SUMMARY.
BACKGROUND
2. In March 2006, the Embassy signed the first Amendment to the
Letter of Agreement between the Government of the United States and
the Government of Turkmenistan on Narcotics Control and Law
Enforcement Assistance. That Amendment provided additional USG
assistance in the amount of $450,000 for four projects, including a
Counternarcotics Project ($150,000) that was designed to improve the
ability of Turkmenistan counternarcotics forces to interdict
narcotics in transit across Turkmenistan by training and equipping
counternarcotics investigative units in the field. The USG agreed
to provide basic equipment, including two light vehicles and 20
drug/precursor test kits, for counternarcotics investigators as part
of this project. Additionally, USG trainers will provide
specialized training on topics such as operations planning, vehicle
stops, raid execution management, undercover operations management,
and confidential source management.
3. On August 6, the Charge participated at an official handover
ceremony for two Toyota Corollas light vehicles and 20 narcotics
identification master kits to the State Counter-Narcotics Service
(SCNS). Colonel Muhammed Orazov, First Deputy Chief of the SCNS,
received the equipment on behalf of the Turkmen government. The
ceremony took place at the SCNS headquarters building. The Heads of
the SCNS International Relations and Illicit Drug Circulation
Prevention Departments were also present at the meeting.
4. In his opening remarks, Colonel Orazov praised our ongoing
bilateral cooperation in counternarcotics programs. He pointed out
that the USG's training and equipment assistance to their newly
created agency were invaluable assets enhancing their capacity
building process. Orazov stated that the United States had
tremendous experience in countering the drug problem, which they are
eager to learn. When the Charge commented that the scale of the
drug problem in the United States remains regrettably large, and
that it has not yet won the war against drugs, Orazov emphasized
that the United States has a well-managed law enforcement system
which has been successfully tackling drug abuse. Both sides
concurred that the war against drugs is never-ending, but the main
task is to minimize the problem.
5. Following the opening remarks, the Charge and Orazov signed the
end-user certificates and exchanged the documents with a handshake.
The attendees then examined the donated drug test kits on display in
the meeting room. Orazov invited the Charge and others to look at
the vehicles parked in the backyard of the SCNS building. When
exhibiting the brand new Toyotas, Orazov observed that the vehicles
would help them pursue runaway drug dealers. (NOTE: SCNS insisted
on the donation of white Corollas and refused to accept any other
models or colors. END NOTE.)
7. COMMENT: During his welcoming speech, Orazov stressed that
while they are happy about the donated equipment, tey would be even
more grateful for training opportunities. Orazov confessed that the
SCNS staff, especially junior officers, lack basic law enforcement
skills and they have a lot to learn from their American
counterparts. INL has scheduled two DEA Basic Drug Enforcement and
Tactical Seminars for early 2010 and training on the use of
narcotics identification systems will be delivered next week. END
COMMENT.
MILES
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, INL/AAE BUHLER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KCRM SOCI SNAR TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: INL-FUNDED EQUIPMENT PRESENTED TO COUNTER
NARCOTICS SERVICE
1. SUMMARY: On August 6, the Charge presented two light vehicles
and twenty drug identification kits to the State Counter Narcotics
Service of Turkmenistan. The donation was part of the ongoing INL
counternarcotics project. SCNS officials praised our bilateral
cooperation and expressed gratitude for the continuing USG
assistance. They also stressed the need for additional training
opportunities. END SUMMARY.
BACKGROUND
2. In March 2006, the Embassy signed the first Amendment to the
Letter of Agreement between the Government of the United States and
the Government of Turkmenistan on Narcotics Control and Law
Enforcement Assistance. That Amendment provided additional USG
assistance in the amount of $450,000 for four projects, including a
Counternarcotics Project ($150,000) that was designed to improve the
ability of Turkmenistan counternarcotics forces to interdict
narcotics in transit across Turkmenistan by training and equipping
counternarcotics investigative units in the field. The USG agreed
to provide basic equipment, including two light vehicles and 20
drug/precursor test kits, for counternarcotics investigators as part
of this project. Additionally, USG trainers will provide
specialized training on topics such as operations planning, vehicle
stops, raid execution management, undercover operations management,
and confidential source management.
3. On August 6, the Charge participated at an official handover
ceremony for two Toyota Corollas light vehicles and 20 narcotics
identification master kits to the State Counter-Narcotics Service
(SCNS). Colonel Muhammed Orazov, First Deputy Chief of the SCNS,
received the equipment on behalf of the Turkmen government. The
ceremony took place at the SCNS headquarters building. The Heads of
the SCNS International Relations and Illicit Drug Circulation
Prevention Departments were also present at the meeting.
4. In his opening remarks, Colonel Orazov praised our ongoing
bilateral cooperation in counternarcotics programs. He pointed out
that the USG's training and equipment assistance to their newly
created agency were invaluable assets enhancing their capacity
building process. Orazov stated that the United States had
tremendous experience in countering the drug problem, which they are
eager to learn. When the Charge commented that the scale of the
drug problem in the United States remains regrettably large, and
that it has not yet won the war against drugs, Orazov emphasized
that the United States has a well-managed law enforcement system
which has been successfully tackling drug abuse. Both sides
concurred that the war against drugs is never-ending, but the main
task is to minimize the problem.
5. Following the opening remarks, the Charge and Orazov signed the
end-user certificates and exchanged the documents with a handshake.
The attendees then examined the donated drug test kits on display in
the meeting room. Orazov invited the Charge and others to look at
the vehicles parked in the backyard of the SCNS building. When
exhibiting the brand new Toyotas, Orazov observed that the vehicles
would help them pursue runaway drug dealers. (NOTE: SCNS insisted
on the donation of white Corollas and refused to accept any other
models or colors. END NOTE.)
7. COMMENT: During his welcoming speech, Orazov stressed that
while they are happy about the donated equipment, tey would be even
more grateful for training opportunities. Orazov confessed that the
SCNS staff, especially junior officers, lack basic law enforcement
skills and they have a lot to learn from their American
counterparts. INL has scheduled two DEA Basic Drug Enforcement and
Tactical Seminars for early 2010 and training on the use of
narcotics identification systems will be delivered next week. END
COMMENT.
MILES