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.


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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