US embassy cable - 05DUSHANBE2006

UNCLAS  DUSHANBE 002006 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR ISN/EC - PVANSON, ACHURCH, AND ACUMMINGS 
DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/ACE - DMARTIN 
CBP/INA FOR PWARKER AND BPICKETT 
USDOE/NNSA - FOR TPERRY 
DOC FOR PETERSEN - BEARD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETTC, KNNP, KSTC, MNUC, PARM, TI, MIlitary assistance 
SUBJECT: VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD HAZMAT RESPONSE ASSESSMENT TEAM 
COMPLETES ASSESSMENT OF TAJIKISTAN 
 
1. SUMMARY:  Four members of the Virginia National Guard (VNG) 
assessed the capability of Tajik ministries to respond to a 
hazardous materials incident.  The team visited the Ministries 
of Emergency Situations, Defense, State Border Protection 
Committee, Academy of Sciences, and local fire department.  The 
team was surprised to find that, although the Tajiks are in need 
of upgraded equipment and techniques, they do have a capability 
and qualified personnel to respond.  It was noted that the 
Ministry of Defense was best set up to respond to hazmat 
incidents and this is where the VNG intends to concentrate its 
efforts. 
 
2. Ministry of Defense:  The Special Chemical, Biological, 
Radiological (CBR) Company is an MOD unit that reports directly 
the MOD Chief of Staff.  It is commanded by a Colonel and 
consists of four platoons, each with 25-28 soldiers.  Although 
the soldiers in this special unit are conscripts with little 
specialized training, several of the officers are graduates of 
special Soviet CBR Defense schools.  The Colonel indicated that 
the Chemical Company's primary mission is to work with the CBR 
department at MES to build a CBR response capability for 
Tajikistan (note: MES never articulated that they had such a 
unit or displayed this capability).  The MOD CBR Company 
equipment for Hazmat/WMD response was antiquated (1970s era) 
soviet chemical and radiation equipment.  Most of this detection 
equipment appeared in good condition, some may even still be 
operable.  Their personal protective gear is antiquated soviet 
equipment that is only suited for training.  Overall assessment 
is that MOD has an established Hazmat/ WMD response team with a 
core of trained personnel that, if properly equipped and 
trained, will be capable of performing the Hazmat/ WMD response 
mission.  They have antiquated detection equipment, but are 
familiar with newer technologies.  They have an operable fleet 
of vehicles dedicated to their response mission.  They have 
inadequate personal protective equipment, but know the 
principles of personal protection and are familiar with newer 
equipment. 
 
3. Ministry of Interior:  The Central Fire Service is an MOI 
unit that handles the initial response to any type of emergency 
or natural disaster in Tajikistan.  Although their primary 
function is fire prevention, they regularly respond to other 
types of emergencies.  They indicated that they recently handled 
a chlorine leak in Dushanbe.  A central dispatch controls their 
response from numerous branch stations across the country.  They 
have received training in emergency response from US 
firefighters, and were very knowledgeable within their area of 
expertise.  They have respiratory protection (SCBA and 
Rebreather) that is adequate and functional.  They have 
protective equipment for fires, but none for hazardous 
materials.  They have no detection equipment for HazMat concerns 
like flammable atmospheres, oxygen levels, carbon monoxide or 
chlorine.  Overall assessment is that MOI has an established 
emergency response capability with a core of trained personnel 
that, if properly equipped and trained, could be capable of 
performing the Hazmat/ WMD response mission. (COMMENT: It is 
interesting to note that the local fire service falls under the 
Ministry of Interior. END COMMENT) 
 
4. Ministry of Emergency Situations:  MES is responsible for 
building a unified response capability for emergencies.  They 
control Civil Defense Troops that support emergency management. 
MES is developing a training center for Emergency Situations, 
but this center, although well furnished by the UN, lacks 
computers, reference books and training aids.  The MES equipment 
for Hazmat/WMD response was antiquated (1970s era) soviet 
chemical and radiation equipment.  Most of this detection 
equipment appeared inoperable.  Their personal protective gear 
is antiquated soviet equipment that is not suited for Hazmat 
response.  MES asserted that they have other equipment at other 
locations, and have personnel who are trained in chemical, 
 
 
biological and radiological response.  We were unable to meet 
with these people or see this equipment.  Overall assessment is 
that MES has no established Hazmat/ WMD response team, little or 
no functional detection equipment, and inadequate personal 
protective equipment.  It will take significantly longer to 
train MES if there is not a core of trained personnel upon which 
to build a team (again, they asserted but did not display this 
capability). 
 
5. Border Guards: Border Guards are responsible for policing the 
border of Tajikistan.  Border Guards asserted no capability for 
Hazmat/ WMD Response.  They displayed a functional protective 
mask, but indicated that they have a limited supply.  Overall 
assessment is that the Border Guards have no established Hazmat/ 
WMD response team, no detection equipment, and inadequate 
personal protective equipment. 
 
 
6. Academy of Sciences -Nuclear Radiation Safety Agency:  This 
agency is responsible for state policy on nuclear and radiation 
protection, control and licensing of radiation sources, 
retrieval of orphan sources and mitigation of radiation 
contamination.  They are well equipped, to western lab 
standards, for detection and identification of radiation.  They 
have no chemical or biological expertise or equipment.  Overall 
assessment is that this will be an excellent source of radiation 
expertise that can augment and enhance a Tajik Hazmat/WMD 
response team.  They will be able to definitively identify 
radioactive isotopes and have the resources to advise on 
response and mitigation.  Similar subject-matter experts for 
Chemical and Biological response must be identified to assist 
the Tajik Hazmat/ WMD response team. 
 
 
7. A full copy of the report with the teams' recommendations has 
been forwarded to ISN/EC for consideration.  POC for this 
message is Paul Shott, EXBS advisor, shottpj@state.gov, phone 
992 372 241560 ext. 2102. 
HOAGLAND 
 
 
NNNN