TURKMENISTAN: BORDER GUARDS APPRECIATIVE OF U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000521

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/23/2019
TAGS: PREL SNAR TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: BORDER GUARDS APPRECIATIVE OF U.S.
ASSISTANCE, BUT NOT INTERESTED IN JOINT TRAINING WITH
AFGHANISTAN

Classified By: Charge Richard Miles for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George
Krol met April 22 with Colonel Myrat Yslamov, head of the
State Border Service(SBS). They discussed Afghanistan, U.S.
cooperation with the SBS, and potential cooperation between
Turkmen and Afghan border services, and Turkmen preparedness
for antiterrorist operations on the border. Yslamov rejected
the suggestion of joint training with Afghan counterparts,
believing that the Afghanistan service is weak and
ineffective. Yslamov was confident that the State Border
Service was prepared for any terrorist threat on the border.
END SUMMARY.


2. (C) On April 22, Deputy Assistant Secretary George Krol
met with head of the State Border Service, Myrat Yslamov.
Yslamov said Turkmenistan is looking for ways to strengthen
the border, by improving the border guards' equipment. They
seek new technology, and upgrades to old systems. They look
to other countries for means to secure their borders as well
as the experience of other countries in securing their own
borders. The SBS also receives additional assistance from
the Government of Turkmenistan.


3. (C) Yslamov said the Turkmen side is strengthening its
borders. They wish to acquire more technical means for
securing the border. The SBS is appreciative of U.S.
assistance, including two previously constructed border
posts, one under construction, and two more proposed points.
The have received vehicles from Iran and educational
materials from other places. Yslamov said he looked forward
to continuing cooperation with the U.S. He noted that today
the SBS would receive the first five radio sets of a larger
project. (NOTE: CENTCOM Counternarcotics funded The radio
system for State Border Service is funded by CENTCOM
counternarcotics. END NOTE.) Yslamov emphasized the need
for all the radio systems to be compatible and for redundant
communications. In addition to more radios, Yslamov asked
for additional technological assistance. The SBS would also
appreciate scanners, long range optics, or even just
information on such equipment to help them get the right
equipment to secure their border.


4. (C) Krol proposed joint training with Afghanistan and
cited successes in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan with training
with Afghan border guards. Yslamov essentially declined the
offer. He stated that the Afghan border guards are not in
control of their own territory. They are not capable of
resolving anything on their side. The U.S. is helping the
Afghan border guards, and that could eventually be good.
Yslamov,s overall low opinion of the Afghan border service
was reflected in his somewhat joking comment that his Afghan
counterpart might not know where the Afghan-Turkmen border
is. He alleged that the Afghan service is weak and
ineffective. He said that at lower levels the Turkmen are
able to communicate with their Afghan counterparts.


5. (C) Yslamov said there are no issues with Turkmenistan's
maritime border. Regarding preparedness for an antiterrorist
mission, Yslamov stated that the SBS has capability to deal
with such issues. As the service on the border, they would
be the first ones to come into contact with such people, or
with drug traffickers who could also be well armed.


6. (C) Yslamov offered that Turkmenistan,s border security
also provides a buffer for Europe against Afghanistan,s
border, and strong border protection is in many people,s
interest. Yslamov concluded by wishing the U.S. success in
Afghanistan. A change for the better there is a change for
the better for everyone. Having law abiding citizens next
door who don,t have to rely on growing opium would be
beneficial to everyone.


7. (C) COMMENT: Yslamov's openness to discussions and

ASHGABAT 00000521 002 OF 002


willingness to comment honestly about Afghan border issues is
a refreshing change from his predecessor, General-Major
Alovov, who was relieved in January. Yslamov's appreciation
for U.S. assistance and his willingness to press on the issue
of getting more radios reflect his willingness to see the
U.S. as a partner in improving the State Border Services
capabilities. Yslamov's lack of willingness to train with or
have much to do with his Afghan counterparts seems to reflect
his poor opinion of their capability, and even the usefulness
of such an undertaking. Perhaps some lower level meetings
between Afghans and Turkmen Border guards on the border could
build confidence, if indeed their Afghan counterparts are
competent enough to allay Turkmen concerns. As long as the
Turkmen assume that the Afghan side of the border is lawless
Taliban territory, they will not see much incentive to
cooperate.

8. (C) COMMENT CONTINUED: It is interesting to note that
when Yslamov was asked about readiness to counter
antiterrorist threats on the border, he did not immediately
shy away from the topic and bring up the usual refrain that
there are no terrorists in Turkmenistan. Instead his
comments about being ready to defeat any threats to the
border and the fact that as the border service they would be
the first to encounter such threats indicate a realistic
understanding of the fact that, as neighbors to the Taliban,
there is a real threat to be prepared for, neutrality or not.
END COMMENT.

9. (U) DAS Krol cleared this cable.
MILES