DUSHANBE, September 14, 2010, Asia-Plus — The United States Embassy in Dushanbe, as part of its Export Control and Related Border Security program (EXBS) provided twenty-two All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV”s) to the Government of Tajikistan. The ATV”s will be distributed to border crossings throughout Tajikistan to assist Border Guards in their efforts to combat contraband from entering and transiting the country.
The U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Necia Quast and deputy commander of Tajik border troops, Major-General Safarali Nazirov, participated in a donation ceremony that took place at the Border Guard Facility in Dushanbe on September 14.
DCM Quast remarked, “Keeping Tajikistan”s borders secure is a national priority. The Border Guards protect the borders under difficult conditions and at times with scarce equipment. The U. S. Embassy EXBS (the Export Control and Related Border Security) program is pleased to assist the Border Guards in their efforts to combat contraband from entering the country”.
Major-General Nazirov noted that the donated vehicles would be sent to remote border areas to raise effectiveness of border control measures.
Ms. Quast noted that the U.S. Embassy EXBS program would continue to support the Border Guards by sponsoring a partnership with the U.S. Border Patrol to provide ATV Operation and Safety and Patrolling Techniques training for the officers, and personal safety equipment to the operators of the ATV”s.
The U.S. Embassy EXBS program donated the Polaris Razor and Ranger ATV”s to the Government of Tajikistan at a cost of more than $300,000.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe, this equipment and training is one of the many assistance projects the U.S. Embassy implements in Tajikistan on behalf of the American people. Since 1992, the American people have provided more than $900 million in assistance programs that support the economic growth, democratic institutions, health care, education and security systems of Tajikistan.
