VZCZCXYZ0005
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNT #1487 2590715
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 160715Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1321

UNCLAS TASHKENT 001487 
 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PBTS KNNP PREL ETTC MNUC PARM KSTC UZ
SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN EAGER TO INCREASE BORDER SECURITY COOPERATION 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  Summary:  GOU Customs and Border Security Officials 
seemed eager to get down to business during a meeting with Regional 
Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) Advisor and poloff. 
Uzbek officials recalled successful joint projects which took place 
in 2001 and expressed their desire to once again work closely with 
the USG in all areas of border security-including counterterrorism, 
counternarcotics, and nuclear nonproliferation.  The discussion 
identified current areas of weakness in Uzbek border security and 
areas of future cooperation.  EXBS Advisor and poloff accepted the 
invitation to take the next step in improving relations by visiting 
border checkpoints and the Uzbek Institute of Nuclear Physics.  End 
Summary. 
 
SUCCESSFUL COOPERATION-PAST AND FUTURE 
 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee of 
Uzbekistan Rustam Mansurov kicked off the September 10 meeting by 
recalling the positive history of cooperation between the GOU and 
the USG in the area of border security.  Mansurov mentioned the 
donation of equipment worth over USD 2 million, the realization of 
25 seminars which were attended by 190 GOU employees, and the 
visits of 50 GOU officers to the United States.  These projects 
strengthened Uzbekistan's borders, built up the infrastructure of 
the customs agency, and helped the GOU to fight against the 
smuggling of radioactive and narcotic contraband.  Mansurov said 
that the GOU continues to develop its customs and border security 
infrastructure, and would welcome assistance from the USG in making 
needed changes and updates. 
 
 
 
WEAK SPOTS IN UZBEK BORDER SECURITY 
 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  Uzbek officials were fairly frank in their comments 
about the weaknesses of Uzbek border security.  Current problems 
include a lack of equipment in certain regional airports and border 
checkpoints and a constant need for training and retraining of 
personnel.  Vitaliy Petrenko, the leading researcher at the Uzbek 
Institute of Nuclear Physics, proudly spoke of an interconnected 
system which allows for the detection of radioactive materials in 
28 of Uzbekistan's border checkpoints, but pointed out that there 
are 212 checkpoints total.  The vast majority of border checkpoints 
are not equipped to detect radiation, which leaves a huge hole in 
border security for the purposes of nonproliferation. 
 
 
 
WHAT TO DO NEXT 
 
--------------- 
 
¶4.  (SBU) GOU officials expressed their hope that this meeting 
would be a "foundation" for a constructive working relationship 
focused on issues of mutual concern, such as counterterrorism, 
counternarcotics, and nuclear nonproliferation.  Regional EXBS 
Advisor hopes to define a specific framework for future 
cooperation. GOU officials welcomed the idea of establishing a 
relationship between the Uzbek Customs Academy and the Federal Law 
Enforcement Training Center (FLETC).  Mansurov hopes that the GOU 
and the USG can work together to provide training to Uzbek 
personnel both through local workshops and through visits to the 
United States.  He also invited EXBS Advisor and poloff to visit 
customs and border security facilities throughout the country, 
including airports, border checkpoints, and the Institute of 
Nuclear Physics. 
 
 
 
COMMENT 
 
------- 
 
¶5.       (SBU)  After a period of little contact between the GOU 
and the USG on issues of border security, it seems that the 
conditions are right to ramp up cooperation again.  It is in our 
best interest to take full advantage of the GOU's willingness to 
work with EXBS.  The GOU's current inclination towards cooperation 
could be an opening to establish a permanent or Regional EXBS 
advisor in Tashkent. 
NORLAND