Stories
Combating arms trafficking at the border
11 November 2002
Inter-agency co-operation
A year after, the effects of the Afghan crisis continue to take their toll on the region. The increasing availability of drugs and arms illegally trafficked through the borders undermines efforts to build peace and stability and represents a threat to human security in neighbouring countries.
The international community has responded to these concerns by launching a UN-led training programme on border management techniques. The objective of the training is to increase the professional capacity of border and customs officials and their awareness of international rules and regulations.
In line with its mandate, each organization taking part in the initiative presents a training module aimed at strengthening cross border procedures. Topics include humanitarian assistance, population movements, trafficking in drugs, arms and cultural artifacts.
The friendship bridge
The Conflict Prevention Centre of the OSCE, in collaboration with the OSCE Centre in Tashkent, was quick to respond to calls for assistance in preventing arms trafficking through the Termez-Hayraton checkpoint.
The border crossing point, also known as the friendship bridge, is quickly becoming a key trade and transit point into Afghanistan. Closed in 1997 and opened again under international pressure, the bridge is central to the Afghan reconstruction process and the shipment of humanitarian aid to be delivered from Uzbekistan.
Practical exercises
For two weeks, a team of experts from various OSCE participating States shared their knowledge and expertise with local border guards and customs officials on techniques and procedures to prevent illegal arms shipments.
Practical training was provided in detection and seizure procedures for small arms and light weapons, intelligence collection and risk assessment, tracing of illegal weapons and export control regulations, during lectures and field exercises.
"These practical exercises ensure that the training programme has a direct, positive impact on day-to-day work at this checkpoint," said Lt.Col. Helmut Gram, Chief of the Regional Mobile Customs Unit in Austria. Lt. Col. Gram led the practical exercises together with a Finnish border guard, Lt. Col. Matti Majoinen from the Frontier Guard Headquarters.
OSCE commitment
For the OSCE, this pilot project is a move towards practical assistance within the framework of the OSCE Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons. It also helps implement the Programme of Action agreed by all Central Asian states at the OSCE-UN ODCCP Bishkek conference on combating terrorism in December 2001.
OSCE Secretary General, Ambassador Jan Kubis, noted at the launch of the programme that it "unites various international organizations and government agencies in a common goal. We believe this makes it an excellent example of the kind of co-operation that is needed in today's world."
This comprehensive inter-agency project is conducted under the auspices of the United Nations Resident Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, Richard Conroy, and supported by the government of Uzbekistan.
A year after, the effects of the Afghan crisis continue to take their toll on the region. The increasing availability of drugs and arms illegally trafficked through the borders undermines efforts to build peace and stability and represents a threat to human security in neighbouring countries.
The international community has responded to these concerns by launching a UN-led training programme on border management techniques. The objective of the training is to increase the professional capacity of border and customs officials and their awareness of international rules and regulations.
In line with its mandate, each organization taking part in the initiative presents a training module aimed at strengthening cross border procedures. Topics include humanitarian assistance, population movements, trafficking in drugs, arms and cultural artifacts.
The friendship bridge
The Conflict Prevention Centre of the OSCE, in collaboration with the OSCE Centre in Tashkent, was quick to respond to calls for assistance in preventing arms trafficking through the Termez-Hayraton checkpoint.
The border crossing point, also known as the friendship bridge, is quickly becoming a key trade and transit point into Afghanistan. Closed in 1997 and opened again under international pressure, the bridge is central to the Afghan reconstruction process and the shipment of humanitarian aid to be delivered from Uzbekistan.
Practical exercises
For two weeks, a team of experts from various OSCE participating States shared their knowledge and expertise with local border guards and customs officials on techniques and procedures to prevent illegal arms shipments.
Practical training was provided in detection and seizure procedures for small arms and light weapons, intelligence collection and risk assessment, tracing of illegal weapons and export control regulations, during lectures and field exercises.
"These practical exercises ensure that the training programme has a direct, positive impact on day-to-day work at this checkpoint," said Lt.Col. Helmut Gram, Chief of the Regional Mobile Customs Unit in Austria. Lt. Col. Gram led the practical exercises together with a Finnish border guard, Lt. Col. Matti Majoinen from the Frontier Guard Headquarters.
OSCE commitment
For the OSCE, this pilot project is a move towards practical assistance within the framework of the OSCE Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons. It also helps implement the Programme of Action agreed by all Central Asian states at the OSCE-UN ODCCP Bishkek conference on combating terrorism in December 2001.
OSCE Secretary General, Ambassador Jan Kubis, noted at the launch of the programme that it "unites various international organizations and government agencies in a common goal. We believe this makes it an excellent example of the kind of co-operation that is needed in today's world."
This comprehensive inter-agency project is conducted under the auspices of the United Nations Resident Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, Richard Conroy, and supported by the government of Uzbekistan.