Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT818
2009-06-30 11:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: THE TURKMEN SCNS AND MEMBERS OF FOREIGN
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UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000818
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, INL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KCRM SOCI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: THE TURKMEN SCNS AND MEMBERS OF FOREIGN
MISSIONS PARTICIPATE IN A DRUG BURN.
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000818
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, INL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KCRM SOCI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: THE TURKMEN SCNS AND MEMBERS OF FOREIGN
MISSIONS PARTICIPATE IN A DRUG BURN.
¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: On June 26, the Turkmen State Counter Narcotics
Service (SCNS) and members of several foreign missions participated
in a symbolic drug burn that took place at a border guard
installation in the rural area of the city of Ashgabat. A U.S. Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent was present during
the ceremony.
END SUMMARY.
¶3. (U) On June 26, the Turkmen State Counter Narcotics Service
(SCNS) and members of several foreign missions participated in a
symbolic drug burn. Upon arrival at the border guard installation,
members of the international community were warmly greeted by local
officials in accordance with their customs and traditions and
escorted to a designated area, where a large decorated tent with
tables and chairs was set up for the opening ceremony. A band of
Turkmen musicians entertained the crowd by playing traditional music
and singing folk songs.
¶4. (U) As everyone gathered, Major Serdar Batyrov, the Acting Chief
of SCNS, officially opened the drug burning ceremony, underscoring
for the guests and members of local media the Turkmen government's
dedication to the war on drugs. After Major Batyrov's speech, Arcan
Saka, UNODC International Project Coordinator, thanked Major Batyrov
and the Turkmen government for their diligence in the fight against
illicit drug trafficking in Turkmenistan and the Central Asian
region. Mr. Saka also mentioned that this day was especially
significant for two reasons: it marked the end of the UNODC
sponsored Cross-Border Cooperation conference in Ashgabat and the
national Anti-Drug Day in Turkmenistan. Mr. Saka stated that the
drug burning rite was a perfect culmination to the conference and
Anti-Drug Day.
¶5. (U) According to Major Batyrov, approximately one ton of
narcotics would be burned. Near the site, several tables with
samples of drugs scheduled to be destroyed were on display. The
display included samples of dangerous drugs, including heroin,
opium, and hashish. Major Batyrov and Mr. Saka were the first to
throw several bundles of narcotics into incinerators. Many
representatives from foreign missions followed their lead. The
burning lasted for approximately a half hour until all of the
narcotics were destroyed. Media interviewed several of the
participants.
¶6. (SBU) COMMENT: The drug burn in Ashgabat has become a tradition.
This is a semi-annual event and is usually conducted under the
close supervision of the Turkmen SCNS. The purpose of the event is
to bring the international community together and to demonstrate to
the world that Turkmenistan fulfills its obligations in the fight
against trafficking of illicit drugs in the Central Asian region.
END COMMENT.
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