The Border International Working Group (BIG) meetings are held on a monthly basis although some counterparts may meet more often informally. The minutes of the BIG meetings are put together by BOMCA and distributed by UNODC’s Dushanbe office.

PURPOSE

These may include recommendations and decisions, but the main aim of the meetings is sharing information to avoid overlaps and keeping all donors on the same page.


The minutes of the latest BIG meeting are pasted below:

Minutes of the Border International Working Group Held at 2:00pm
Thursday 21 June 2007 at the US Embassy,
109A Ismoili Somoni Street, Dushanbe, Tajikistan


Present

Tom Hushek (Chairperson), Daniel Green, Paul Hackett, Seth Green, James Acuna, Kelsey Harris-Smith, Ranjeet Singh (US Embassy); Margaret Belof (British Embassy); Thomas Housberger (German Embassy), Aziza Sindarova (IOM), Sergei Krivoshei (Russian Embassy), Yuri Davidyan (RFBS); James Gibson (UNDP), Madina Rakhmanova (UNCU); William Pryor (OSCE), Joel Malavaux (French Embassy), Barbara James (ABA/Rule of Law Institute), William Lawrence, Minoo Alipour (BOMBAF); Akram Rahmatov, Suhrob Kaharov, Gavhar Rasulova (BOMCA-CADAP), Nazira Boronshoeva, (BIG Secretary).

1. Chairman’s Opening Remarks

The Chair was occupied by Tom Hushek who welcomed participants by saying that it is the second time when BIG meeting is conducted at the US Embassy and opened the meeting.

2. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Last Meting

There were two remarks made to the last minutes related to:

i. Page 1: Section - Training Coordination (any developments) – The Training Centre established in Khorog is funded by US State Department and not by IOM as it stated in the minutes but is implemented by IOM;

ii. Page 2: Section - New proposal on monitoring of equipment and other stuff provided by donors to beneficiaries – 16 HF radio sets were provided to Border Force by German Embassy 2 years ago and not 2 months ago as it was written. Also Thomas Housberger added that they got confirmation that radios have been placed on tajik-afghan border but currently operators are facing problems with frequency, although training was provided accordingly. He expressed his astonishment by the fact that having the equipment for two years and still not knowing how to use it.

Tom Hushek added that US Embassy was submitted a US$ 700K bill for frequency connection. He said that MFA did not understand situation properly, as all equipment was donated.

Suhrob Kaharov also mentioned about similar issues with the cost for provision of frequencies to DCA at Khujand airport.

3. Drug Detecting Dogs (any developments)

Suhrob Kaharov (BOMCA/CADAP) informed on refreshment courses, that will provided by BOMCA for drug detecting dogs and their handlers trained by all donors sometimes in September/October this year. Most probably the Instructors will be hired from Almaty Dogs’ Training Centre. He also mentioned that DCA has finally provided the list of handlers with their dogs who were trained under different international projects.

William Pryor (OSCE) said that he will provide update next meeting on Border Training Centre in Lenisky region (building of dogs’ kennels) as issues on funding are still under consideration.


Margaret Belof asked whether funding for this project has been approved and William replied that it is programmatic.

Tom Hushek (US) asked whether the DDD Centre in Khorog has been handed over by EC Ambassador as mentioned during last meeting. Suhrob replied saying that the flight to GBAO was cancelled due to bad weather conditions and instead the Border Force Training Center has been handed over by Ambassador to Border Force Authorities on 4th June. This was a second attempt by Ambassador to visit pilot sites in GBAO and a third attempt is planned sometimes in August.

4. Training Coordination (any developments)

Tom Hushek (US) informed on training for customs and border officials on weapon of mass destruction and commodity identification conducted by Department on Energy and Security. Although there was information that nobody would attend but finally it was very successful training with full participation from relevant agencies.

Suhrob Kaharov (BOMCA/CADAP) mentioned on Study Tour to Hungary where no representative from Border Force attended.

Nazira Boronshoeva (BOMCA/CADAP) reported on Preventing drug and precursors trafficking at the border training that is planned to take place in three BOMCA/CADAP pilot sites in GBAO (Ruzvai, Tem and Ishkashim) and, following the advise, to include two more of N. Pyandj and Kokul due to intensive cross border traffic there. Tentatively it is schedule to start in mid September till late October. Target group is both custom and border officers working on above-mentioned five BCPs. In addition, upon discussion with UNODC, it is recommended to include operational staff as well. To conduct this training at all five different (remote) locations it was specifically requested from donors, particularly from US, to give a list of equipment (like precursor kits, drug rummage kits, etc.) that were provided to any of these sites by any agency in order to plan training curricular. Also names and suggestions for experts are most welcome for selection process.

Seth Green (US) gave information, in general, on different training that were conducted in the past for Ministry of Emergency Situation, Ministry of Interior on different subjects.

Kelsey reported on Counter terrorism training and capacity building on bio accidents.

5. Coordination with national counterparts NEW

William Lawrence (BOMBAF) admitted that coordination and cooperation between Border force and Customs service became worse than it was 2 months ago. He was on assessment mission on tajik-afghan border and at BCP Ishkashim the team was locked at no-man’s land by tajik custom officer after 5pm, seeing the team on their vehicle few meters away. Also Commander of Tajik Border Forcer has cancelled meeting with EU Member-States Ambassadors for no reason. The meeting was requested several weeks in advance and cancelled at the last moment. The situation is seriously taken by Ambassadors and as a result German Ambassador has declined to sign Building Bridges II Project.

The issue was widely discussed with all present giving different examples and difficulties faced with beneficiaries and different views/opinions were shared. Finally a mutual agreement was taken to address this issue to Ambassadors’ Principal Group. Usually this Group selects the issue and prepares letter with positive attitude to Government or sometimes even to President. Margaret Belof (UK Embassy) agreed to deliver the message to UK Ambassador who is one of the members of this group.

Also it was recommended that whenever any letter is sent directly to General Mirzoev (Head of TBF) a copy should be forwarded to State Committee on National Security (SCNS) where the Chairman has to give permission in writing to the Commander on action to be taken. This is an existing hierarchy.

Ranjeet Singh (US Embassy) stated that Tajik border force officer is always accompanying US team during their trips to the border. Special request for accompaniment is always placed to TBF but sometimes it takes weeks to get response from them. For example, TBF responded just yesterday on the trip to the border and Denver had to go, that is why he is not presented today.

Aziza Sindarova (IOM) also specified that after structural changes IOM is struggling with TBF on conducting next meeting of Inter-ministerial commission on border management issues. Currently they plan to meet with General Mirzoev to discuss who is going to chair such meeting from now on. At worst circumstances the issue would be raised with the Chairman of State Committee on National Security.

Tomas Hausberger (Germany) said that German Ambassador met with Minister of Foreign Affairs who promised to resolve the issue on meetings with General Mirzoev. Also, the Principal Group will write to the President on this issue.

6. “Round the Room”

US Embassy

Ranjeet Singh made a presentation on reconstruction / rehabilitation works completed and equipment provided to Bog and Bahorak Border Outposts (BO) in Shurabad area. The works started in September last year and completed June this year. Also results and lessons learned ware shared with participants. The projects were implemented through UNODC. Another BO Khiirmanjo was renovated by US, without involvement of UNODC. During the course of work a lot of experience on dealing with local contractors was gained.
Ranjeet once again emphasized that US will continue to work on tajik-afghan border particularly on improving infrastructure.

Kelsey Harris-Smith reported on Communication and computer assets. Initial delivery was in 2005 along with BOMCA part. Relevant training was provided last September. She also mentioned that new equipment and training as well as renovation/reconstruction of facilities for Customs Service will continue.
Training include different topics and exercises, for example on Disaster response and computer based exercise on terrorism, earthquake and etc.

Russian Advisory Team

Yuri Davidyan first of all thanked American Embassy for inviting to their building. He briefly mentioned about activities undertaken by Russian Advisory Team in Tajikistan. The activities mostly concentrated on training of ensigns on different specialisations like communication, logistics, canteen staff, etc. On 9 June examinations conducted for those ensigns who have passed the courses. From 10 to 25 May a training course for cadets is organized in Paindj and Moscovsky battalions on communication equipment use. The rest of work is undertaken according to agreement and scheduled plan agreed with Tajik Border Force.

He also commented on the issue of current cooperation and coordination raised above. Two agencies have merged into one body. His personal opinion is that it would be better to address letters to the Head of National Security Committee instead to Head of Border Force what actually is more correct and goes in line with existing hierarchy. Moreover General Mirzoev is a new person in the system.


IOM

Aziza Sindarova reported on completion of Training Centre in Khorog and showed latest pictures from opening ceremony. It was mentioned that TC is open to organize any training by any organization.


EC BOMCA/CADAP

Nazira Boronshoeva informed on forthcoming mission of Project Leader under Drug Information Systems project and new projects on Drug Awareness Campaign among general Population CADAP Programme. During that mission it is planned to meet with key ministries (Min of Health, Education and Drug Control Agency) to present the project and discuss general strategy of campaign. Also series of workshops will be organized in relation to those projects. More details will be given on next meeting.

Suhrob Kaharov informed on Completion of Phase 2 of Border Force Training Center in Dushanbe which was officially opened on June 4th by Mr. Adrian Van deer Meer - EC Ambassador for CA.

Study tour to Hungary for LEA representatives from May 21 – June 02 Tajikistan was represented by Defense and LEA Division of the Presidential Office, Regional Customs Office and Phyto-Sanitarian Service of the Ministry of Healthcare.

More vehicles provided to TBF and Customs Service: 1 tent, 3 Tipper and 3 sludge trucks for total amount US$ 301,300

Rehabilitation of BO Eged is underway. Works on construction of new camp - BO Dashti Yazgulom started. Project proposal for rehabilitation of 2 more BO submitted to FCO (UK).


French Embassy

Joel Malavaux attended meeting for the first time. There was nothing special to report this time.
Kelsey (US) has asked about plans of French Government for construction of Dushanbe New Terminal at the airport. Joel confirmed that construction is going to start in the near future and currently design of terminal has to be agreed with local authorities. The project is for 2 years.


OSCE

William Pryor asked whether there is any progress with Donor Matrix. To what Nazira (BOMCA/CADAP) has answered that all BIG members are given the deadline to provide complete information by the next BIG meeting in July.


UNCU

Madina Rakhanova suggested posting BIG meetings’ minutes and any other papers/presentations on UNCU website for wider publicity.

It was agreed that some documents / presentations / pictures could be placed on site except the minutes which is internal documents and circulated only amongst donors.


7. Date, Time and Chair Person of Next Meeting

Although it was agreed that the next meeting will take place on Thursday 19th July 2007 at 14:00 at the EC Delegation in Dushanbe. Due to need in simultaneous translation there was a proposal to hold it on Friday 20th July at 14:00 at UNDP Conference Hall where equipment is in place. William Lawrence has volunteered to chair the meeting.