VZCZCXYZ0006
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNT #0461 1091218
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 181218Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9536

UNCLAS TASHKENT 000461 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN, OES/STC FOR EILEEN KANE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: TSPL AMGT UZ
SUBJECT: EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM - 2008 (TASHKENT) 
 
REF: STATE 28712 
 
¶1. (U) Per reftel, Post requests the temporary posting of an 
Embassy Science Fellow to Embassy Tashkent for approximately 
six weeks in September-October 2008.  No medical or security 
clearance is required.  If approved for participation in the 
program, Post commits to provide housing, office support, 
in-country travel arrangements, and other logistical support 
as required, barring any unexpected reductions in Post 
funding.  The points of contact for substantive questions 
about this request are Political Officer Steven Prohaska, 
tel: 998-71-120-5450, email: prohaskasn@state.gov, and 
Environmental Affairs Specialist Bakhtiyor Mukhamadiev, tel: 
998-71-120-5450, email: mukhamadievbr@state.gov. 
Management-related questions may be directed to Management 
Chief Doug Ellrich, tel: 998-71-120-5450, email: 
ellrichdk@state.gov. 
 
¶2. (U) Post has discussed the Embassy Science Fellows program 
with Dr. Guy Fipps, Director of the Irrigation Technology 
Center and Professor and Extension Agricultural Engineer at 
Texas A&M University.  Dr. Fipps has deep expertise in 
irrigation technology, water and salinity management, water 
resources engineering, and irrigation scheme management and 
rehabilitation.  Dr. Fipps has worked extensively in regional 
water planning and management programs and has been a senior 
water advisor for Embassy Kabul.  He has also worked closely 
with USAID and the Government of Afghanistan on water-related 
issues and drafted a memorandum of understanding between 
Afghanistan and Tajikistan on water cooperation.  Post 
believes that Dr. Fipps would be an excellent choice for the 
Embassy Science Fellows Program, as his selection would allow 
him to apply his expertise on water management to Uzbekistan. 
 Post envisions Dr. Fipps providing assessments and 
recommendations on transboundary water issues related to the 
Amu Darya in light of recent developments in Afghanistan and 
Turkmenistan; assessing USAID projects on water management; 
conducting training for the Water Users' Association of 
USAID; giving presentations on his work; and meeting with the 
Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of Central Asia 
as well as Government of Uzbekistan officials on 
transboundary water matters.  Transboundary water management 
a sensitive issue that the Government of Uzbekistan is keenly 
interested in, and has been a source of tension between the 
countries of Central Asia, so Dr. Fipps' interaction with 
Uzbek officials will be undertaken in close cooperation with 
the Embassy's Political/Economic Section, DCM, and 
Ambassador.  In addition to benefiting USAID projects, Dr. 
Fipps' participation also would help to advance Post's 
efforts in establishing lasting relationships between Uzbek 
and American scientists. 
NORLAND