TURKMENISTAN: THREE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS,

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000097 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN AND INR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: THREE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, FOUR DAYS IN LONDON ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public internet. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Three mid-ranking Turkmen law enforcement officials took part in a four-day study tour in London, the culmination of a year-long English language course funded by INL. The trip gave them an opportunity to practice their language skills with UK law enforcement professionals, observe landing and entry procedures at Heathrow Airport, and, not least of all, experience a different culture. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (SBU) Three Turkmen law enforcement officials, selected for their outstanding performance in an INL-funded English language course, participated in a study tour in London January 13-17, 2009. The group, escorted by Post's INL Assistant, met with various British government and non-government agencies focused on counter-narcotics work. ¶4. (SBU) The three participants included State Migration Service inspectors, as well as a Senior Customs inspector. The trip was funded by INL program funds and arranged by the British East West Center, a London-based NGO that frequently arranges exchange programs for CIS country delegations. The group met first with the NGO Drugscope, a drug information and education center, where they were briefed on drug policies and issues in the UK, including the UK's drug classification system, the role of voluntary organizations in drug demand reduction programs, government policy on drug abuse, and cooperation between government/NGO anti-drug efforts. ¶5. (SBU) Clearly one of the most notable experiences for the delegation was their visit to the Parliament. In a debriefing session with INL Officer following the tour, all three participants remarked on the personal impact of observing the impassioned debate among MPs on the conflict in Gaza. They also met with a representative of an "All Party Parliamentary Group" (similar to a congressional committee) on drug abuse. The Drugs Director of the London Metropolitan police briefed them on the agency's three-year anti-drug strategy and on drug investigation procedures. A representative of the UK's Home Office also briefed them on government strategies for reducing the drug flow. ¶6. (SBU) COMMENT: The three participants, none of whom had ever traveled outside the former USSR (two had never been outside Turkmenistan) were effusive in their enthusiasm about the experience. One commented on how friendly, polite and "smiling" they found Londoners to be. The study tour program was not only an incentive for the language students to work hard in their courses, but offered invaluable exposure to another culture for young officials from a society that has been closed to the outside world for so long and in so many ways. END COMMENT. MILES