Posted on 04/21/2005 10:25:21 AM PDT by sergey1973
On April 15 Russian border guards began their long-awaited withdrawal from the "Moskva" patrolled areas of the Tajik-Afghan border, handing over control of the sensitive area to Tajikistani border units. Despite Russia's apparent step back from its well-established role in Tajik border security, Moscow will retain an important advisory role in the future development of the independent border arrangements now placed in the control of Dushanbe. What was once regarded as a regional issue, with the problems of illegal narcotics transiting the border areas, has become internationalized, resulting in less economic strain on Moscow. Tajik border officials will continue to look towards Russia for help and practical assistance while appealing for additional Western money.
The Moskva border detachment patrolled key sections of the Tajik-Afghan border for more than 70 years. Their stay on this dangerous stretch of border led to the apprehension of more than 100 trespassers and the seizure of 31.5 tons of narcotics (Itar-Tass, April 16). However, border guards captured only a fraction of the illegal goods transiting the area.
Although the majority of the border was handed over to Tajikistan in December 2004, the Moskva detachment retained responsibility for the most dangerous 232-kilometer (144 mile) stretch. Since these border guards experienced the brunt of narco-trafficking and attempted military incursions, Moscow seemed somewhat reluctant to surrender its vested interests in this section of border. Their withdrawal from this section is scheduled for completion by June, while the target for complete Russian withdrawal is late 2005, early 2006. In return, Russia will secure its long-term military basing in Dushanbe for the 201st Motorized Rifle Division, which would almost certainly be deployed in the event of serious border incursions. Russian security policy towards Tajikistan, as part of its broader approach in Central Asia, acknowledges the need to retain a presence of some kind, simultaneously open to Central Asian allies seeking Western funding for improvements to security, provided it does not lock out Russia's vital interests in the region.
Tajikistan is taking seriously its new responsibilities in border security. In practical terms this has entailed consulting with Russian servicemen and exploring internal steps with foreign financial support. The Tajik Border Protection Committee (TBPC) has made arrangements to train sufficient numbers of border guards to replace the Moskva detachment.
Russian instructors will train these Tajikistani servicemen, preparing them in Russian methods and passing on routines long carried out in the region. To guarantee that an abiding Russian military ethos persists within the new Tajik structures, five to ten Russian military advisors will take up duties in each Tajik unit, officially serving as advisors. Thus, Moscow will ensure the dependence of Tajik border officials upon Russian security methods and techniques but not incur related costs (Channel One TV, April 19). The structures and practices are likely to reflect Russian approaches for many years ahead.
Moreover, the Tajik Presidential Drug Control Agency (DCA) will complement the border guard transfer by creating mobile groups to combat drug trafficking across the border. Colonel Fayzullo Abdulloyev, deputy chief of the DCA, plans to use these mobile groups in Khatlon and Soghd Regions and the Mountainous Badakhshon Autonomous Region, where most drug trafficking occurs. Tajikistan's resources to carry out a successful transition are, of course, severely limited, which has encouraged closer cooperation between Tajik border guards and their Russian counterparts, who are meticulously explaining the mechanics of Russian border security.
Since 2002 the United States has given more than $13 million to strengthen Tajikistan's border security. Such levels of aid will almost certainly have to increase in order to sustain the long-term viability of the experiment in independent Tajik monitoring of the region's most crucial -- and most porous -- border zones. Western involvement in enhancing Tajikistan's border security has often simply served to illustrate the shocking lack of professionalism and endemic corruption in existence. British officers, visiting Tajikistan in 2004, reported a lack of basic awareness of patrolling and manning border posts among Tajik personnel.
Russia's timeframe for withdrawal from the Tajik-Afghan border, combined with their first-hand understanding of the weakness of Tajikistani security structures, has paved the way for future reliance upon Russian assistance, albeit in a reduced and modified format. The basing of the 201st Motorized Rifle Division in Dushanbe guarantees Russia's stake in protecting its vital security interests. Withdrawing its border guards does not qualitatively alter that presence. Russia benefits from internationalizing the Tajik-Afghan border and can reasonably claim that it bore the lion's share of the burden for many years.
American taxpayers may yet find more of their money being spent on Tajik structures as part of the overall strategy in the war on terror, while Russian border guards know fully the limits of Tajikistan's ability to properly man and patrol its own borders. The TBSC and DCA cannot function adequately without foreign assistance. Once again, Russian security policy demonstrates the long view; no one state can stem the flow of drugs across the Afghan border. Until that fact is realized internationally, efforts to help Tajikistan in this venture will fail.
I don't believe it.
This is a page out of manual, used before many times.
The Russians may or may not leave Tajikistan, but the world (and the Tajiks) will never know when, how or why.
THAT is Russian s.o.p., imho.
PING ! Interesting Analysis about fmr. Soviet Republic Tajikistan and the current and future Russian role in the securing Tajik-Afghan border from Drug Flow. I also wonder if US need to create more militarized structure to patrol US-Mexico Border too. There are quite a number of dangerous illegals coming across the border along with those who come in search of economic opportunities. Minutemen civilian volunteer project is a success, but what about the long term solution ? Your thoughtful opinion is always welcome.
P.S.
I know folks that many of you on the same forums often end up fighting each other. I'm asking you to avoid it and stay on the topic. Thanks.
OK--do you have a concrete evidence to the contrary from other news sources that this info from Jamestown Foundation Eurasia Daily Monitor is a hoax ? Also, whom would you prefer to patrol Tajik-Afghan border that is awashed with Drug Traffickers ? I'm ready to accept any point of view as long as a concrete evidence presented.
The only concrete evidence I have of the "Soviet manual" is their track record since they were the USSR.
They are certainly allowed to control their borders. I am all for it. They should and it's a good thing. I wish we would do it.
I just don't like being sold a bill of goods.
This is a bill of goods, torn from the pages of their manual -- "How to sell an idea to the rest of the world, no matter how silly it really is."
They won't pull out of or away from Tajikistan, ever. They are on their Chinese border forever.
Just don't try to tell me that it's otherwise. I don't buy it.
Securing, LOL? I expect heroin prices will drop due to reduced payments to Russian border "guards".
Who do you think has been protecting Tajikistan from the Talibs and drug runners for the past 15 years? Who do you think has been helping cut the flow of opiates from Afghanistan into Europe and America? It sure as hell hasn't been the Tajiks. Bad mouthing the men who risk their lives daily is not much of an sop.
It's not easy though when our military is alread stretched out over Iraq and Afhanistan.
There just aren't enough men recruits soldiers to go around.
Can we out-source it, do you think? The Russians would be good at it, though I might cavil at their integrity about drug$$.
How many nations have we left (except for Haiti, though we return all the time) in the past 15 years?
I guess you just can't read.
I didn't cavil at their being there....just that they were trying to convince the rest of the world that they would be leaving.
Please try to READ my posts first before you dispute them.
Thank you.
You are making only references to the Soviet past than to the present. If you have a concrete source of information that Roger McDermott of Jamestown Foundation published a hoax on its website, then I will accept your point of view.
Jamestown foundation--a Cold War era Analytical American Institution specializing in fmr. Soviet Union--has a network of experts all over former USSR and they have their independent sources of info. Would they put a hoax if they have so many alternative resources of the info on the ground ? Either give me a concrete evidence to the contrary, or I will assume that it's just your guessing game. Sorry, but I'm not buying every assertion too.
10 every 7 years. 16 mo. old grandson in lap, pushing buttons & rearranging office.
"Of course Tajikistan will be still in Kremlin’s sphere of the influences, in this region it is hard not to be… especially with their poor economy. "
At this point, Lukasz, being in Kremlin Sphere of Influence is better then being in that of Saudi Arabia. Plus if US and Russia will cooperate rather then strategically compete in Central Asia, it will be great for all sides.
I've been in the region. There are daily firefights between the russian guards and the traffickers/jihadis. T-stan is sort of the Walmart of Islamic Radicals, a little bit of everything going on there.
I agree cooperation in this region would be benefit for all interested sides.
The Russians need more troops not less in the area and if we were smart, we'd put quite a bit of money into helping them directly. Beats the hell out of having to fight the war on drugs in our own streets.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.