U.S. Assistance to Tajikistan – Fiscal Year 2006

Since the end of the Tajik civil war in 1997 U.S assistance to Tajikistan has focused on efforts promoting a more responsive and democratic government, strengthening security and law enforcement capabilities, developing an attractive investment climate, and improving social services. In response to the June 2005 transfer of responsibility for the Tajik-Afghan border from Russian to Tajik border guards, the U.S. is providing a large program to assist Tajikistan in defending its borders. Special emphasis has been put on improving Tajikistan 's ability to interdict weapons of mass destruction related cargoes, illicit drugs, and criminals including potential terrorists.

The estimated $30.87 million budgeted by all U.S. Government agencies for assistance programs in Tajikistan in Fiscal Year 2006 has been allocated roughly as follows based on information available as of the date of this fact sheet:

Democracy programs in Tajikistan seek to improve the political process, increase the capacity and accountability of local and central government institutions, strengthen civil society and public advocacy, support independent media, and foster human rights. The U.S. Government helps the Central Government to build the capacity of local governments to provide basic services in seven pilot locations. U.S. funded legal reform programs support expanded training for law students, human rights symposia for lawyers, and clinics that provide free legal services to the underprivileged. U.S. supported civil society centers provide a locus for indigenous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to receive training, small grants, and technical assistance. The U.S. Government helps promote free speech by providing Independent print and broadcast media outlets with production grants, plug and play programming, and business management training. U.S. Government assistance also supports anti-trafficking in persons programs. Training and exchange programs give the next generation of Tajik leaders first-hand experience with the day-to-day functioning of a market-based, democratic system. Last year, the U.S. Government sent approximately 160 Tajik citizens to the United States on academic and professional exchange programs in fields ranging from management to social services and NGO development. Since 1993, the U.S. Government has funded travel for over 1,580 Tajikistani citizens to the United States on these programs.

In the area of social services, U.S. assistance targets basic education, community development, and health-care. The U.S. sponsored basic education program seeks to improve teachers' skills, increase parent and community involvement in schools, strengthen school administration, and implement a school finance system that will help use limited resources more efficiently. U.S. government health care programs work with the Ministry of Health to broaden access to quality primary health care. Infectious disease programs focus on fighting tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS. Other U.S. sponsored programs work to improve maternal and child health and prevent the use of illicit drugs. In addition, U.S. conflict mitigation programs mobilize local communities to reduce tensions between social classes, improve conditions for vulnerable people, and increase citizen participation by working with communities to identify, plan and execute small-scale infrastructure improvements projects such as renovations of schools or irrigation canals.

Market reform programs focus on increasing incomes, improving the business environment and improving water management to support agricultural development. The small and medium-sized enterprise program provides training and technical assistance in accounting, financial management, marketing, professional associations, and agribusiness development. Local microfinance organizations (small banks) receive assistance to strengthen their operations in order to expand access to credit for micro-enterprises (local small businesses). The U.S. Government also works to improve the commercial legislation framework, provides commercial law training to Tajik judges and attorneys, and provides guidance to the Government of Tajikistan on tax reform, banking sector reform, and World Trade Organization (WTO) accession. Land reform programs help to improve property-related legal and regulatory environments and strengthen land tenure rights. The U.S. Government also supports business and economics education programs for high school students. A U.S funded water user's association project promotes efficient water use, sponsors infrastructure repairs, and guides maintenance programs. The U.S. Government also launched the Agricultural Finance Plus Program to stimulate economic growth throughout the farm-to-market value chain. Beginning in 2006, the U.S. began assisting in the development of a regional electricity market and advising Tajikistan on how to reform its electricity sector. Activities in this area are working to establish a transparent and competitive electricity market; to increase electricity trade; and to introduce market-based solutions for trans-boundary water disputes.

U.S. security assistance programs contribute to the multi-national effort to enhance Tajikistan 's territorial integrity. Specific programs seek to help Tajikistan prevent the transit of narcotics and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) related materials, and to quell the spread of radical groups and terrorists. The Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) program works with Tajik export control officials, customs authorities, and border guards to combat the transshipment and export of WMD related and illegal dual use technology items, and seeks to reduce overall border security violations. It provides hazardous materials detection training in coordination with the Virginia National Guard, supports establishing a legal framework for export control, and helps to equip major border crossing points. The International Military Education and Training Program (IMET) helps facilitate greater professionalism through reform of the armed forces, and provides English language training. Foreign Military Financing funds support the transformation of Tajikistan 's military from an outdated motorized rifle brigade into a light mountain brigade and the U.S. assists in Tajikistan 's development of a peacekeeping battalion.

Tajikistan acceded to the multinational International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) in Moscow in 2003, enabling former weapons scientists from Tajikistan to apply for U.S. nonproliferation assistance. As part of this effort the U.S. funds Science Centers , Bio-Chem Redirect programs, and Bio-Industry Initiative programs to engage scientists in transparent, sustainable, cooperative civilian research projects.

Law enforcement assistance supports the stability of Tajikistan and advancement of economic and political reforms by interdicting the rapidly-growing transit of drugs originating in neighboring Afghanistan and by reforming Tajik law enforcement agencies. Programs of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) support the Tajik Drug Control Agency, co-funded by the United Nations Office of Drug Control (UNODC), which coordinates drug interdiction operations and drug abuse and treatment efforts. INL provides equipment to three agencies and renovates and equips Police Academy training facilities. The training includes proper collection and analysis of evidence in criminal cases and material on human rights and combating trafficking in persons. U.S. assistance supports equipment for border posts (including emergency winter assistance in January 2006), expansion of training centers, and the renovation and equipping of the Border Guard Academy. A resident Legal Advisor from the U.S. Department of Justice to be assigned to Dushanbe will support reform of the criminal procedure code and increase the capacity to investigate and prosecute cases involving organized crime and trafficking in narcotics and persons. The USG-funded American Bar Association's CEELI Program focuses on improving defense representation through training in advocacy skills and legal ethics.

U.S. funded humanitarian programs in Tajikistan seek to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable in Tajik society. In FY 2006, the U.S funded humanitarian commodity distribution program provided over $33.7 million in medicines, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and supplies, school supplies, emergency shelter items, food, and clothing to remote and forgotten individuals, families, and institutions in need. The Department of State also undertakes small scale reconstruction projects to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable institutionalized persons. Also in Fiscal Year 2006, the U.S. Government is supporting poverty alleviation and income generation projects using proceeds from the sale of $12 million in donated U.S. food commodities.