DUSHANBE, June 11, 2009, Asia-Plus — On Wednesday June 10, the Head of the Border Guards General Sherali Mirzo, U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan, Ms. Tracey Ann Jacobson, and Turkish Ambassador to Tajikistan, Mir Akif Ayhan, participated in the ground breaking ceremony of the Border Guard Training Academy in Dushanbe.
This bilateral project by the Government of Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of the United States is one of a series to assist the Tajik Border Guards to improve the educational facilities for border officers and support the security of Tajikistan.
The project will improve the study and dormitory facilities of cadets studying at the Academy. The total budget for the project is $2.5 million, which will cover the demolition of old buildings, construction of a new dining facility, gym, heating system, toilets, garages, a new ID checkpoint, and the full refurbishment of an existing dormitory for the cadets studying at the Academy. The project will also provide basic furniture and training equipment. The construction will be completed by February 2010. The contractor for construction work is Bozdemir Insaat ve Mehendisilik Ltd., a Turkish firm selected through an international tender.
The U.S. Embassy has cooperated with Tajikistan law enforcement structures since 1992 in implementing assistance projects totaling more than $37.5 million to provide border security, support rule of law, and combat drug trafficking efforts. The United States Government is committed to continue its support to the Tajik law enforcement agencies.
