Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TASHKENT707
2009-05-11 13:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:  

NDN Shipments Moving Under Uzbekistan Agreement

Tags:  PREL MARR ELTN UZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1103
RR RUEHDBU RUEHPW
DE RUEHNT #0707 1311310
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 111312Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0862
INFO AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RHMFISS/CDR USTRANSCOM SCOTT AFB IL
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000707 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/05/11
TAGS: PREL MARR ELTN UZ
SUBJECT: NDN Shipments Moving Under Uzbekistan Agreement

REF: USDAO TASHKENT IIR 6 939 0074 09

CLASSIFIED BY: Nicholas Berliner, Pol-Econ Chief; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000707

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/05/11
TAGS: PREL MARR ELTN UZ
SUBJECT: NDN Shipments Moving Under Uzbekistan Agreement

REF: USDAO TASHKENT IIR 6 939 0074 09

CLASSIFIED BY: Nicholas Berliner, Pol-Econ Chief; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)


1. (C) The Uzbek Ministry of Defense issued approvals on May 6 for
the first rail shipments on the Northern Distribution Network (NDN)
following the signing of the Exchange of Letters on April 3.
Approval for seven shipments came (just) within the 30-day window
foreseen by the agreement. The first NDN train is scheduled to
arrive in Hairaton, Afghanistan on May 17.




2. (C) Issuance of transit approvals for these initial shipments
was lengthy, reflecting the fact that the Uzbek bureaucracy (not
itself known as a model of efficiency under any circumstances) had
to develop a system to handle them. Under the structure the GOU has
established, the Ministry of Defense (MOD) plays a coordinating
role, seeking clearance from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and
Interior, as well as the National Security Service, Customs
Service, Border Guards and Uzbekistan Railways. In the case of air
freight, the Civil Aviation Authority must also issue its
concurrence. Once all interested ministries have given their
approval, the MOD informs Uzbekistan Railways (or Uzbekistan
Airways and Korean Airlines, in the case of air cargo),which then
sends a telegram to all railroad authorities along the route
authorizing release of the train. Another complicating factor for
the Uzbeks is congestion at Hairaton and the ripple effects a back
up there would cause along the length of the line, which still must
handle its pre-NDN commercial cargo and passenger volumes.




3. (C) Comment: We are confident that once NDN becomes routinized,
the process of issuing authorizations will function smoothly,
particularly when requests are submitted beyond the 30-day period
stipulated in the Exchange of Letters. The GOU made a political
decision at the highest level to support NDN. To the extent that
we follow through with local purchase in Uzbekistan and efforts to
upgrade capacity at Hairaton, our efforts can undergird this
support. The net effect of increased transit of goods through this
region in support of our military could also be a significant
upgrading of infrastructure and commercial activity that would
contribute to regional economic growth and integration among
Afghanistan and the states of Central Asia.
NORLAND