DUSHANBE, August 22, 2008, Asia-Plus — U.S. Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson and Tajik Minister of Foreign Affairs Hamrokhon Zarifi signed two cooperation documents that provide $13.4 million of security and law enforcement assistance to the Government of Tajikistan. These documents amend the existing Agreement between the governments of the United States and Tajikistan on Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement signed in 2003.
The assistance package includes $3 million to improve the capability of the security services in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region of Tajikistan, through renovation of border guard facilities, capacity development projects, training for personnel and the purchase of technical equipment.
More than $2 million will go toward building the capacity of Tajikistan”s police and security services, including renovation of the Police Academy, training for security personnel and the continued upgrade and expansion of the Ministry of Interior”s Forensics Library.
The United States will provide nearly $3 million for counternarcotics projects, which will support the development and operation of the Drug Control Agency and expand drug reduction programs.
In order to strengthen Tajikistan”s borders, the United States will devote $2.5 million of assistance to renovation and construction of border posts, the renovation of the Border Guard Academy in Dushanbe and the development of a training and analytical center within the Committee for National Security.
An additional $3.7 million will help strengthen rule of law in Tajikistan, through expanded training for judges and lawyers, initiatives to combat trafficking in persons and support for the continued revision of Tajikistan”s criminal procedure code.
With this assistance, the U.S. Embassy”s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement program has provided more than $28 million in assistance to support Tajikistan”s security, rule of law and counter narcotics efforts since 1992.
Speaking at the documents-signing cermeony, Ms. Tracey Ann Jacobson noted last year alone, the US Government provided $18.8 to improve Tajikistan’s security sphere to Tajikistan. The US diplomat noted that the United States intends to continue security cooperation with Tajikistan because it appreciates Tajikistan’s support for the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and other modern challenges.
The United States provides more than $40 million of assistance annually to Tajikistan. These funds contribute to Tajikistan”s security, economic development, democratic freedom, and the health and education of Tajikistan”s citizens.
