Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DUSHANBE824
2009-07-08 03:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Dushanbe
Cable title:
TAJIK RESPONSE TO AFGHANISTAN ASSISTANCE REQUESTS
how-toVZCZCXRO5963 RR RUEHLN RUEHSK RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHDBU #0824 1890327 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 080327Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0516 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0171 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0052 RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 1099 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0117 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000824
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PBTS SMIG ETRD EAGR EAID ECON TI
SUBJECT: TAJIK RESPONSE TO AFGHANISTAN ASSISTANCE REQUESTS
REF: STATE 31102
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000824
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PBTS SMIG ETRD EAGR EAID ECON TI
SUBJECT: TAJIK RESPONSE TO AFGHANISTAN ASSISTANCE REQUESTS
REF: STATE 31102
1. (SBU) Tajikistan responded to our reftel request for
assistance in Afghanistan by diplomatic note on June 11.
Tajikistan replied to our request that they extend operations of
the Nizhny Pyanj bridge to 24 hours a day saying that an
agreement is currently pending with the Afghan side to increase
the hours of operations at the Nizhny Pyanj bridge by four
hours, to 6 a.m.-7 p.m. In response to our request to provide
agricultural and water experts to advise and mentor Afghan
officials, the government of Tajikistan stated its readiness "to
offer consultative assistance to local and national authorities
of Afghanistan." It also noted that Tajikistan was ready to
coordinate with the Afghan government and the UN to provide
specialists in water resources, hydro-technical facilities, soil
assessment, irrigation, and wells. The Tajiks added that they
are ready to pursue higher educational exchanges between Tajik
and Afghan agricultural institutions and universities.
2. (SBU) In response to the request for the Government of
Tajikistan to facilitate joint training with Afghan border
guards, the Government of Tajikistan maintained its readiness to
organize training for Afghan border guards, but stated that it
would do so only "if financial support of these activities is
provided." (Note: INL persuaded the GOTI to invite ten Afghan
border officers to a week-long course in the Khorog Training
Center in mid-July. The very slowly issued request just arrived
in the Afghan Ministry of Internal Affairs. End note.) Reftel
request had also urged the government to support continued and
increased contributions to OSCE border training initiatives,
including the provision of customs experts as trainers for an
Afghan National Customs Academy and funding for border security
infrastructure. The government offered no direct response to
this part of the request.
3. (SBU) Comment: The government's response was heartening in
some respects. Its willingness to provide agricultural support
is a positive development. But as the reply on border guard
training made clear, the Tajiks will seek funding for any
contribution they make to efforts in Afghanistan, and are very
reluctant to engage with Afghan security forces. Despite two
years of promises that they would do so, they have still not
begun joint training of border forces. End comment.
4. (U) Post has scanned the Tajik diplomatic note and emailed it
to SCA/CEN.
JACOBSON
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PBTS SMIG ETRD EAGR EAID ECON TI
SUBJECT: TAJIK RESPONSE TO AFGHANISTAN ASSISTANCE REQUESTS
REF: STATE 31102
1. (SBU) Tajikistan responded to our reftel request for
assistance in Afghanistan by diplomatic note on June 11.
Tajikistan replied to our request that they extend operations of
the Nizhny Pyanj bridge to 24 hours a day saying that an
agreement is currently pending with the Afghan side to increase
the hours of operations at the Nizhny Pyanj bridge by four
hours, to 6 a.m.-7 p.m. In response to our request to provide
agricultural and water experts to advise and mentor Afghan
officials, the government of Tajikistan stated its readiness "to
offer consultative assistance to local and national authorities
of Afghanistan." It also noted that Tajikistan was ready to
coordinate with the Afghan government and the UN to provide
specialists in water resources, hydro-technical facilities, soil
assessment, irrigation, and wells. The Tajiks added that they
are ready to pursue higher educational exchanges between Tajik
and Afghan agricultural institutions and universities.
2. (SBU) In response to the request for the Government of
Tajikistan to facilitate joint training with Afghan border
guards, the Government of Tajikistan maintained its readiness to
organize training for Afghan border guards, but stated that it
would do so only "if financial support of these activities is
provided." (Note: INL persuaded the GOTI to invite ten Afghan
border officers to a week-long course in the Khorog Training
Center in mid-July. The very slowly issued request just arrived
in the Afghan Ministry of Internal Affairs. End note.) Reftel
request had also urged the government to support continued and
increased contributions to OSCE border training initiatives,
including the provision of customs experts as trainers for an
Afghan National Customs Academy and funding for border security
infrastructure. The government offered no direct response to
this part of the request.
3. (SBU) Comment: The government's response was heartening in
some respects. Its willingness to provide agricultural support
is a positive development. But as the reply on border guard
training made clear, the Tajiks will seek funding for any
contribution they make to efforts in Afghanistan, and are very
reluctant to engage with Afghan security forces. Despite two
years of promises that they would do so, they have still not
begun joint training of border forces. End comment.
4. (U) Post has scanned the Tajik diplomatic note and emailed it
to SCA/CEN.
JACOBSON