EXBS: TURKMENISTAN EXBS ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ASHGABAT 000817 SIPDIS DEPT FOR ISN/ECC JHARTSHORN, LSPRINGER, and YWONG SCA/CEN FOR JGORKOWSKI SCA/RA FOR JMCCLELLAN DHS/CBP SBAKER DHS/ICE FOR AMEFFERD DOE/NNSA FOR JNOBLE, AND BPENTOLA DOC/BIS FOR DCREED USCG FOR SHABTEMICHAEL AMEMBASSY BERLIN FOR CBP ATTACHE AMEMBASSY MOSCOW FOR ICE ATTACHE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP KG SUBJECT: EXBS: TURKMENISTAN EXBS ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE JUNE, 2009 ASHGABAT 00000817 001.2 OF 003 ¶A. BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS: EXBS Assistant Hommadov resigned without notice after a series of questionable actions, fraudulent claims and unexplained absences. The GoTX continues to offer significant challenges in engagement on EXBS initiatives. The MFA has rejected an EXBS offer to build modular shelters in remote border areas. EXBS continues to extensively support the Department of Energy's (DOE) Second Line of Defense (SLD) Program. END SUMMARY. ¶B. Completed Actions for Reporting Period. ¶1. Site Assessments and Meetings during this Reporting Period. a. From 1 to 6 June the EXBS Advisor was in the Republic of Georgia for the world-wide EXBS Advisor's Conference. b. On 8 June, EXBS Assistant Batyr Hommadov resigned without notice. c. From 17 - 24 June EXBS Assistant from Uzbekistan, Irina Kochetkova visited EXBS Ashgabat to assist with preparations for the upcoming training events this summer. EXBS Ashgabat would like to thank her for her invaluable assistance. d. On 22 June, Embassy Ashgabat advertised for a new EXBS Assistant. e. From June 24 - 26 EXBS Advisor attended the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime International Conference on Cross-Border Cooperation between Turkmenistan and its Neighboring Countries in the President Hotel, Ashgabat on behalf of the Ambassador. f. Throughout May, the EXBS Office continued to support the Department of Energy (DOE) Second Line of Defense (SLD) Portal Monitor Installation Project in Turkmenabad/Farap, Turkmenbashy, Artyk, Watan, Serakhs and Serhetabad. g. Due to a lack of response from the GoTX, the EXBS office was forced to withdraw the invitations for Turkmen officials to attend the Export Control Conference in Istanbul and the Workshop on Radioactive Sources Control in Cairo. ¶2. Training Conducted During Reporting Period. None. ¶3. Training Programs Pending. a. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) will conduct a three-day workshop on Commodity Identification Training (CIT) from 14-16 July, 2009, in Ashgabat. The workshop has a two-fold purpose. First, the attendees will receive training in the visual identification of materials and commodities that can be used in the production of WMD. Second, the workshops will help strengthen the role of export control enforcement in preventing the spread of WMD by encouraging a stronger relationship between enforcement, licensing, and technical organizations. EXBS Ashgabat will prepare diplomatic notes and handle administrative matters in support of this training. b. EXBS is working with Commonwealth Trading Partners, a contractor for DOE, to establish a Nuclear Control List (NCL) licensing workshop for the GOTX the week of 21 - 24 July, 2009. ASHGABAT 00000817 002.2 OF 003 c. The Department of Homeland Security/Customs and Border Protection (DHS/CBP) Air Cargo Interdiction Training (IACIT) was postponed from 3 - 7 August to later this fall. d. DOE/NNSA will also conduct a three-day workshop on X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Technology from 18-20 August, 2009, to include donations of a XRF Metal Analyzer to the GOTX. The three-day workshop will provide training in the use of the XRF portable metal analyzers prior to their donation. EXBS Ashgabat will prepare diplomatic notes and handle administrative matters in support of this training. e. From 24 - 28 August, EXBS will conduct training for local Customs officials on Radiation Isotope Identification Devices (RIIDS) to include the donation of 15 Detectors at the completion of training. f. EXBS Advisor is coordinating a visit of key Uzbek Customs Officials to the ports of Serakhs and Farab, and then a joint Uzbek/Turkmen visit to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to observe best practices and challenges. The goal for this event will be September if administrative matters can be resolved. g. EXBS is working to facilitate an information and training exchange with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). Funding has been provided. Scheduling is pending. This will be a three-part program starting with an incountry assessment by a FLETC Team, then a orientation visit to FLETC by GOTX officials, then in-country law enforcement instructor training a curriculum development. f. EXBS is in the process of requesting a University of Georgia Center for International Trade and Security (UGA/CITS) assessment of export controls in FY2010. ¶4. Equipment Delivered During Reporting Period. No equipment was delivered during the reporting period. ¶5. Equipment Status Update. a. CT-30 kits. EXBS is awaiting the delivery of 4-5 CT-30 Kits from WASHDC. Delivery is expected within FY2009. b. Modular Shelters. The Advisor continued earlier unproductive diplomatic exchanges with the GoTX to build modular border shelters along remote parts of the Turkmenistan border. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs notified EXBS in early June that this request was denied. EXBS and Embassy Ashgabat have reengaged the GoTX with additional information in an attempt to support this project. c. RIIDS. Radiation Isotope Identification Device Training was scheduled for FY2009 by CBP, but due to a lack of instructors, has been left unscheduled. EXBS has procured the expertise of EXBS TDY Advisor Larry Adkins to come to Ashgabat in August to instruct on this equipment. ¶6. Red Flag Issues. The difficulty in acquiring positive support for many EXBS programs and projects continues to frustrate efforts at Export Control and related Border Security in Turkmenistan. The modular shelter program is the prime example. This project is an ASHGABAT 00000817 003.2 OF 003 integral part of the 2008 and 2009 Program Plans for Turkmenistan and if EXBS is not successful in getting the GoTX to support this program, a reduction of EXBS effort in the future may be required. In addition, most requests for participants from agencies other than Customs and the Border Service are ignored. ¶7. CONTACT INFORMATION. Barry A. Johnson is the Regional EXBS Advisor for Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and can be reached at johnsonba8@state.gov, or +993-66-30-85-84. From 8 - 12 July EXBS Advisor Johnson will be in Uzbekistan as part of his regional duties. MILES