DUSHANBE, September 19, Asia-Plus - On Monday September 18, US Ambassador to Tajikistan Tracey Jacobson participated in the opening day of a short-term training on radio communications systems provided by the United States and the European Union to the State Committee for the Protection of State Borders of the Republic of Tajikistan.

A source in the Tajik border service says the radio systems handed over to Tajik border guards last Friday will allow the border guards building a unified communications system which stretches from the foot patrol along the border to the central headquarters in Dushanbe.  20 servicemen are taking the training course conducted by the U.S. specialists.  “On completion of the course they will serve in the Border Protection Committee and other power-wielding structures of the country,” the source said. 

Ambassador Jacobson remarked that the United States is always pleased to work with other international donors in supporting the important efforts of the Republic of Tajikistan to curtail the flow of narcotics and other contraband across its borders.  This modern communications system will greatly facilitate the vital work of the dedicated officers and soldiers of Tajikistan’s border guard service. 

According to information from the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe, the complete cost of the multi-national project to assist Tajikistan with the vital task of controlling their borders, thus far, has been 7.2 million U.S. dollars.