EXBS: TAJIKISTAN ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE - JUNE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 DUSHANBE 000798 SIPDIS DEPT FOR ISN/ECC YWONG, ACHURCH, JHARTSHORN DEPT FOR ISN/ECC-AMT LSPRINGER DEPT FOR SCA/CEN ALONG, SCA/RA JMCCLELLAN CBP/INA FOR SBAKER, GRISING DHS/ICE FOR AMEFFERD DOE/NNSA FOR JNOBLE, BPENTOLA DOC FOR DCREED USCG SHABTEMICHAEL FRANKFURT PLEASE PASS TO ICE ATTACHE BERLIN PLEASE PASS TO CBP ATTACHE MOSCOW PLEASE PASS TO ICE ATTACHE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC EAID MNUC PARM PREL KSTC SNAR TI SUBJECT: EXBS: TAJIKISTAN ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE - JUNE 2009 DUSHANBE 00000798 001.2 OF 004 ¶I. BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS ¶A. NONE II. COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD ¶A. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS DURING REPORTING PERIOD ¶1. Site Assessments a) To monitor EXBS and Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) equipment end-use, and to get information on additional equipment and training needs, the EXBS Advisor, EXBS Program Management Assistant, Director, ODC, and the ODC Program Management Assistant (hereafter the EXBS/ODC representatives) visited a series of Otryads (regional HDQ),Zastavas (border outposts),and border crossing points along the Tajik-Afghan border in the Gorno-Badakshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) from June 10-19. The EXBS and ODC representatives also traveled to the Kulma border crossing point at the Tajik/China border. Of special interest was communications equipment provided by EXBS and ODC to the Tajik Border Guards and Customs Service from 2003 to 2009. Harris high-frequency radios and Motorola hand-held ultra-high frequency radios were provided with the intent that the Harris radios would serve as the long distance, rough terrain communication between Otryad and Zastava, and, the Motorola radios would be used for short distance, line-of-sight communication between Zastavas and patrols or stationary guard towers/observation points. b) The visits determined that generally the radios and radio support equipment are used and as intended. The Harris AN/PRC 150 high-frequency radio is the main communication system used by the Border Guards along the Tajik-Afghan border. The radios are used as the main means of communication between the Otryads and the Zastavas. They are also used to communicate with the Border Guard headquarters in Dushanbe. The Motorola hand-held radios are used by Border Guard Officers while on foot patrol. The use of the Motorola hand-held radios is inconsistent and appeared to be used in the Khatlon region more than the GBAO. Based on the various site visits the donation of communication equipment to the Border Guards proved to be a worthwhile investment. c) On June 11, 2009, the EXBS/ODC representatives visited the Khamadoni Border Guard Otryad. Two EXBS donated Zodiac patrol boats are located at this Otryad. The two patrol boats are not being used and are currently being stored in a warehouse at the Otryad. The boats are in excellent condition as they have never been used. The Otryad Commander expressed his opinion that there was not a real need for the patrol boats in his area of responsibility. The use of these patrol boats will be discussed with the Border Guard Commander at their headquarters in the near future. DUSHANBE 00000798 002.2 OF 004 d) On June 11, 2009, the EXBS/ODC representatives visited the Ribhoz and Sayod Zastavas (under the Khamadoni Otryad) to review the status of ODC funded construction of two Border Guard facilities. e) On June 12, 2009, the EXBS/ODC representatives visited the Khorog Border Guard Otryad and met with the Otryad Commander. The use of the radio equipment was discussed and arrangements were made to visit several Zastavas to examine the communications equipment. During this visit the EXBS representatives spoke with the Deputy Commander who had experience with an EXBS donated ATV at his previous post in Shahrtuz. He advised that the ATV was used extensively and that Border Guard troops often used the ATV to patrol for days at a time. He recommended that two-man ATVs would be more effective and practical. He also recommended that some ATVs be purchased that had rear compartments to carry supplies for extended patrols. f) On June 12, 2009, the EXBS/ODC representatives visited the Khorog Zastava (khorog Otryad) and examined the communications equipment. g) On June 12, 2009, the EXBS/ODC representatives visited the Tem border crossing point (khorog Otryad). The Tem border crossing point is a crossing point to/from Afghanistan. There is a bridge crossing the Pyanj River from Afghanistan and several BOMBCA funded buildings on the Tajik side of the bridge. The Customs Port Director advised that BOMCA had built a pedestrian processing building with a Rapiscan luggage x-ray. However, BOMBCA never completed the installation process for the Rapiscan equipment and it is not used. The Rapiscan has been there for two years. Efforts will be made through Rapiscan and BOMBCA to have the equipment installation finalized. The Customs Port Director advised that due to rock slides the road in Afghanistan was closed and that there was almost no vehicle traffic crossing the bridge. He said there was little pedestrian traffic, except on the days when the local bazaar was open and then there would be 150-200 pedestrians each day. The EXBS representatives asked to examine the EXBS donated Customs Inspectional Tool Kit (CITK). The Port Director advised that he did not have the key to open the CITK and that the tools in the kit were never used. h) On June 13, 2009, the EXBS/ODC representatives visited the Ishkashim Otryad and met with the Otryad Border Guard Commander and his staff. The use of the radio equipment was discussed and arrangements were made to visit several Zastavas to examine the communications equipment. i) On June 13, 2009, the EXBS/ODC representatives visited the Ishkashim border crossing point (Ishkashim Otryad) which contains a bridge from/to Afghanistan and a neutral island with a local bazaar. The EXBS/ODC representatives reviewed the operation of the border crossing point by both Tajik and Afghan Border Guards/Border Police and Customs Officers. DUSHANBE 00000798 003.2 OF 004 j) On June 13-14, 2009, the EXBS/ODC representatives visited the Darai Sang, Shitharv, Langar, and Khargush Zastavas (Ishkashim Otryad) and examined the communications equipment. k) On June 15, 2009, the EXBS/ODC representatives visited the Murgab Otryad and met with the Otryad Border Guard Commander and his staff. An EXBS donated ATV was examined and it was noted that the ATV showed very little wear and tear, indicating it was seldom used. The Border Guards advised the original battery was not strong enough to operate in the cold climate of Murgab and that they attempted to wire another battery to the system and thereby burned out some working parts. They further advised that due to the cold weather and rough terrain they did not believe that ATVs were appropriate for patrol functions. Border Guard Headquarters will be advised of the problems with the ATV and efforts will be made to repair it and have it moved to another more suitable Otryad. l) On June 16, 2009, the EXBS/ODC representatives visited the Takhtamish and Kyzylrabat Zastavas (Murgab Otryad) and examined the communications equipment. m) On June 16, 2009, the EXBS/ODC representatives visited the Kulma border crossing point at the Tajik/China border. The representatives met with Border Guard and Customs officials at the crossing point. n) During the period of June 17-19 the EXBS/ODC representatives traveled back to Dushanbe. o) On June 25, 2009, the EXBS Advisor and ODC Director visited the Nizniy-Pyanj border crossing point to review current construction efforts at the CENTCOM funded port facility. Construction of the Customs clearance building is underway and is progressing. The Rapiscan truck x-ray equipment is being installed in the previously constructed building and should be functional in mid-July 2009. ¶2. Meetings a) From June 1-4, 2009, the EXBS Advisor attended the EXBS Advisor's Conference in Tbilisi, Georgia. b) On June 9, 2009, the EXBS Advisor and EXBS Program Management Assistant met with Mikola Kurylchyk, Europe Program Management Officer, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),Ulmas Mirsaidov, Director, Tajik Nuclear Radiation and Safety Agency (NRSA),and Deputy Director Salamov, NRSA to discuss the renovation of the NRSA laboratory. The progress of the contracting process was discussed and arrangements were made to DUSHANBE 00000798 004.2 OF 004 coordinate the installation of the IAEA equipment into the laboratory during the renovation. ¶B. TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING REPORTING PERIOD None ¶C. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING REPORTING PERIOD ¶1. NONE ¶D. IMMINENT TRAINING OR EQUIPMENT STATUS UPDATE ¶1. Training a) Preparations are underway for the Customs and Border Protection International Border Interdiction Training at McAllen, Texas in July. Names of 9 Tajik Customs Officers and 9 Border Guards have been obtained and airline reservations have been made. ¶2. Equipment None ¶E. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN EXPORT CONTROLS, NONPROLIFERATION, OR RELATED BORDER SECURITY None III. RED FLAG ISSUES ¶A. None POC for this report is Robert Granico, EXBS Advisor, GranicoRF@state.gov, phone 992 37 229-2804; EXBS Program Assistant Dilorom Ganieva, ganievadn@state.gov, phone 992 37 229-2805. JACOBSON