VZCZCXRO4779
RR RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHNEH RUEHPW RUEHSK RUEHVK
RUEHYG
DE RUEHDBU #1454/01 3580551
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 240551Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1074
INFO RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 0038
RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEABND/DEA HQ WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 2284

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 DUSHANBE 001454 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEFENSE FOR OSD/P 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR KCRM KJUS PGOV TI
SUBJECT: DRUG CONTROL AGENCY BENCHMARK REVIEW, JULY - DECEMBER 
 
DUSHANBE 00001454  001.2 OF 005 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary:  On December 17, INL Dushanbe and DEA Dushanbe 
participated in an International Working Group (IWG) meeting at 
the Drug Control Agency (DCA).  General Nazarov is exposing his 
executive staff to donors and DEA, a change in behavior.  While 
donors made up a 23,000 USD shortfall in DCA salaries in 2009, 
the government took away 22,000 somoni from the DCA operating 
budget to finance the Roghun hydropower project.  Corruption 
still blocks narcotics investigations in Tajikistan.  Donors 
dissuaded the DCA from continuing to compile a database of drug 
addicts and HIV/AIDS infected persons.  During the first six 
months of 2009, the DCA and partners achieved 17 of 18 benchmark 
goals.  Post assesses DCA performance to be adequate but poised 
to improve with a temporary moratorium on further salary 
supplement cuts.  Post will prepare an in-depth DCA summary 
cable in January 2010.  END SUMMARY 
 
 
 
¶2. (U) On December 17, INL Dushanbe, DEA Dushanbe, UNODC 
representatives, and four top DCA officers (collectively, the 
International Working Group, IWG) reviewed the performance 
benchmarks of the Drug Control Agency for July to December 2009. 
 Colonel Saidulloev, the new DCA Chief of Staff, presented the 
benchmarks.  Post e-mailed the full benchmark review document to 
INL/AAE. 
 
 
 
¶3. (SBU) Recently, DCA Director General Nazarov has included his 
executive staff in meetings with INL, DEA, and UNODC.   The DCA 
deputy director, financial director, operational director, and 
mobile team director participated in the IWG meeting,  a 
significant departure from DCA business as usual.  Comment:  A 
pending personnel shake up and/or the U.S. Embassy's recent and 
repeated demands for greater assistance process transparency are 
the most likely reasons.  End Comment. 
 
 
 
¶4. (SBU) The DCA said the Government of Tajikistan took 22,000 
somoni from the DCA's 2009 operating budget and diverted this 
money to the Roghun hydropower project.  In the past 60 days, 
INL and UNODC scrambled to provide funds to the DCA to make up a 
$23,000 salary shortfall. 
 
 
 
¶5.  (SBU) General Nazarov advised that during a recent drug 
operation the DCA mobile unit in Kizil Art (GBAO) received 
several phone calls from unknown persons requesting that a 
particular vehicle not be searched.  The unknown callers warned 
that the Tajik Customs and Border Guard Service were aware of 
this vehicle and its special status (paraphrased).  General 
Nazarov said by constantly rotating the DCA mobile team officers 
through the various regions it was making them less susceptible 
to corruption and, in some quarters, too effective. 
 
 
 
¶6. (SBU) The DCA created a database of drug addicts and HIV/AIDS 
infected persons in Tajikistan (no USG funding), but was unable 
to get names and other identifiable data from the Health 
Ministry.  During the IWG meeting, DEA, INL and UNODC objected 
to the DCA's efforts to build the database as untoward 
governmental intrusion and redundant; the Health Ministry 
already maintains such a database.  General Nazarov conceded 
that the DCA could obtain specific information from the Health 
Ministry on a case needs basis and use the resources going 
towards the database elsewhere.  Post will monitor this issue. 
 
 
 
¶7. (SBU) BENCHMARKS 
 
 
 
Benchmark 1.1.  To convene periodic IWG meetings to monitor the 
project activities, to effect timely grants disbursement and 
review funding and self-sustainability of the DCA. 
 
 
 
Results:  Achieved.  IWG members met three times during the 
first six months of 2009 and had several small working group 
meetings. 
 
DUSHANBE 00001454  002.2 OF 005 
 
 
 
 
 
Benchmark 1.2.  Regional Office for Central Asia (ROCA) with the 
Tajik Government is to seek alternative funding sources and 
increase funding from state budget. 
 
 
 
Results:  Achieved.  While the U.S. government is the principle 
DCA donor, the Norwegian Government, through UNODC, allocated 
23,000 USD to cover a 10% shortfall in DCA salaries.  In 2009, 
the Government of Tajikistan allocated the DCA 3,507,420 somoni 
(610,500 somoni for salary supplement) from the state coffers. 
This was 20% more than in the DCA's 2008 budget. In 2010, the 
Government of Tajikistan plans to allocate 3,252,000 somoni to 
the DCA. 
 
 
 
Benchmark 1.3.  To provide payment of grants to support DCA 
employees (including Mobile Team staff). 
 
 
 
Result:  Achieved.  No discussion. 
 
 
 
Benchmark 2.1a.  To develop and strengthen bilateral and 
multilateral cooperation with foreign agencies, work towards 
agreements and protocols, and conduct joint anti-drug smuggling 
operations at national and international levels. 
 
 
 
Results:  Achieved.  During the reported period, DCA liaison 
officers launched joint operations with Afghanistan law 
enforcement agencies and conducted 27 joint operations leading 
to the seizure of 4,827 kg of drugs (4,526 kg raw opium, 178 kg 
heroin, and 121 kg cannabis). 
 
 
 
Benchmark 2.1b.  DCA liaison officers (DLO) in Afghanistan 
(Faizabad, Kunduz, Mazari Sharif, and Taloqan) and in Kyrgyzstan 
(Osh) should promote and expand their drug control activities 
and cooperation with Afghan and Kyrgyz enforcement partners. 
 
 
 
Results:  Partially achieved.  The DLO Taloqan office reopened 
in October after being closed for 10 months.  INL identified 
funds to re-launch and administer the Taloqan liaison officer 
project previously funded by the DEA.  During the first two 
months of resumed operation, the DLO in Taloqan, Afghanistan, 
seized 65 kg of heroin. 
 
 
 
Benchmark 2.1c.  To sign a cooperation agreement between the DCA 
Tajikistan and the National Security Committee of Kazakhstan in 
the framework of the UNODC ROCA. 
 
 
 
Results:  Partially Achieved.  The DCA received verbal assurance 
that Kazakh law enforcement would sign the document.  General 
Nazarov discussed this issue with the Kazakh Ambassador in 
Tajikistan and awaits a formal reply.  This benchmark remains 
pending. 
 
 
 
Benchmark 2.2.  To organize and conduct operations KUKNOR 
(poppy) 2009, CHANNEL 2009 and TARCET in Tajikistan, and to 
inform the Government of Tajikistan, UNODC/ROCA, and donors of 
the results. 
 
 
 
Results:  Achieved.  However, no report was given for the 
CHANNEL 2009 operation. 
 
 
 
DUSHANBE 00001454  003.2 OF 005 
 
 
 
KUKNOR 2009 was conducted between May 10 and November 30.  The 
DCA, with other Tajik law enforcement agencies, seized 2,385 kg 
of drugs, including 687 kg of heroin, 532 kg raw opium, and 
1,165 kg of cannabis. 
 
 
 
TARCET - The DCA, with regional law enforcement partners, seized 
177 kg of drugs. 
 
 
 
Benchmark 2.3.  To develop and publish regular reports 
(quarterly, semi-annual and annual) and information-analytical 
surveys on the drug situation in the country and region for 
presentation to the President, Government of Tajikistan, and 
other ministries, agencies, and international organizations, 
including UNODC and donors. 
 
 
 
Results:  Achieved.  The DCA prepared regular reports on the 
drug situation in Tajikistan and sent them to UNODC/ROCA, INL 
and DEA. 
 
 
 
Benchmark 2.4.  To continue development of the DCA officers' 
professional skills (within the country and abroad) and to 
jointly conduct a job task analysis as a basis for training 
development/priority capacity building. 
 
 
 
Results:  Partially achieved.  Two training sessions were 
postponed until 2010. 
 
 
 
Analysts in the DCA's Regional Branch offices in Kurgan-Tube, 
Khatlon, and Khujand, Sughd, were trained on i2 software to 
compile information into a database from which telephone link 
analysis could be conducted.  Drug Control Agency's analyst 
experts provided the training. 
 
 
 
Analysts from the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan, DCA, 
and MOI Tajikistan received an advanced training in 
iBase/Analyst's Notebook.  An international expert from United 
Kingdom provided this training. . 
 
 
 
They assessed the DCA's current working conditions and defined 
specific shortcomings and achievements. 
 
 
 
Benchmark 2.5.  To create database accounting of drug addicts 
and HIV/AIDS infected persons in Tajikistan (see paragraph 6). 
 
 
 
Results:  Partially achieved.  The DCA created a national 
database of HIV/AIDs infected individuals which does not include 
names.  The DCA considers this a partial achievement.  The 
database includes gender, age, location, cause of infection, etc. 
 
 
 
Benchmark 2.6.  The completion of a "Harris" radio system to 
increase coordination efficiency and interaction between DCA and 
other Tajik law enforcement agencies. 
 
 
 
Results:  Not achieved.  We will identify and install additional 
radio equipment.  This is an ODC project and INL will coordinate 
the issue with ODC. 
 
 
 
Benchmark 2.7.  To support implementation of "Unified State 
 
DUSHANBE 00001454  004.2 OF 005 
 
 
Program of addiction prevention and prevention of illicit drugs 
trafficking for 2008-2012." 
 
 
 
Results:  Partially achieved.  A UNODC/ROCA Expert studied and 
reported on integrating the analytical Center info into the 
forensic lab database. 
 
 
 
Benchmark 2.8. To support the establishment of DCA canine 
training center. 
 
 
 
Results:  Achieved.  BOMCA/CADAP will build a new DCA canine 
training facility starting in January 2010.  (This is not a USG 
supported project.) 
 
 
 
Benchmark 2.9.  Continuing the provision of office equipment, 
vehicles, and operational equipment to increase the efficiency 
of the DCA. 
 
 
 
Results:  Achieved.  INL procured equipment for the DLO in 
Taloqan and mobile groups. 
 
 
 
Benchmark 2.10.  To enhance technical capacity of the DCA 
forensic functions. 
 
 
 
Results:  Achieved.  UNODC renovated the Khatlon Forensic Lab 
with Norwegian funds, and the opening ceremony will take place 
on December 23. 
 
 
 
Benchmark 3.1.  Provide additional and required equipment to the 
GBAO Mobile Units. 
 
 
 
Results:  Achieved.  No discussion. 
 
 
 
Benchmark 3.2. To continue providing fuel to the DCA MOU within 
the assigned amount. 
 
 
 
Results:  Achieved.  The DCA's request for continued support to 
buy automotive fuel was granted.  UNODC will reallocate $30,000 
USD in operational funds to the fuel line item.  This 
reallocation was approved by INL. 
 
 
 
Benchmark 3.3.  To establish and staff Mobile Units in the 
Murgab and Ishkashim regions of GBAO. 
 
 
 
Results:  Achieved.  The DCA developed the structure of both 
units, and is recruiting 20 officers, 10 in Murgab and 10 in 
Ishkashim.  INL will support the Murgab officers through salary 
supplements. 
 
 
 
Benchmark 3.4.  To start the reconstruction of the DCA Mobile 
Unit administrative buildings in Murgab and Ishkashim.  To 
provide office and computer equipment, and vehicles for the 
Mobile Units.  To recruit candidates for the GBAO Mobile Units, 
and to proved appropriate training for the newly hired officers. 
 
 
 
 
DUSHANBE 00001454  005.2 OF 005 
 
 
 
Results:  Partially Achieved.  The construction in Murgab is 20% 
complete but has stopped for the winter.  A tender was announced 
for the Ishkashim construction and UNODC is identifying a 
contractor.  The DCA advertized the GBAO openings chose a 
preliminary list of 32 applicants and presented the list to INL 
for consideration. 
 
 
 
¶8. (SBU) UNODC, DCA, and INL are reviewing the DCA benchmarks 
for January - June 2010.  UNODC is updating the benchmark 
document.    While INL can't underwrite the DCA indefinitely, 
the Tajik Finance Ministry has not been able to offset the 10% 
reduction in INL provided salary supplements due to the economic 
downturn.  This created a morale issue in the DCA and increased 
attrition dramatically.  INL Dushanbe decided to not make the 
next scheduled 10% reduction in 2010.  The announcement of this 
decision resulted in an immediate improvement in morale, and DCA 
officers who recently jumped ship are asking for reinstatement. 
As a further inducement towards greater transparency, increased 
operational cooperation with the DEA, and improved case results, 
INL left the door open for negotiations on restoring the 10% 
salary supplement reduction made in 2009.  If warranted, such 
negotiations will take place in June 2010. 
 
 
 
¶9. (SBU) Comment:  Despite the negative impact of the 10% 
decrease in salary supplement payments in 2009, the DCA is 
functioning within expectations and improving.  Seizure rates 
are adequate, and the DCA developed 117 cases, 35 more than in 
¶2008.  Drug seizures totaled 963 kg (312 heroin, 324 kg of raw 
opium, 300 kg of cannabis, plus 3123 ecstasy tablets and 9 
firearms).  END COMMENT 
 
 
 
¶10. Post will prepare an in-depth DCA project summary cable in 
January 2010. 
GROSS