Assistant Secretary William R. Brownfield today said the Tajikistan Government has reduced flow of Afghan heroin across its borders.
After meeting with Tajikistan President Rahmon, Mr. Brownfield said they had discussed how their cooperation has protected peoples of Tajikistan, the people of the United States of America, their communities and their children.
Mr. Brownfield said the United States is providing Tajikistan an assistancec in terms of combating drug trafficking and protecting border security. He stated that United States are already cooperating with Tajikistan in a number of areas.
“We are working together in strengthening the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan. We are working together in terms of providing training and hi-tech equipment.” -Mr. Brownfield
He stressed that both countries are working to support special units that are involved in counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism. Both countries are also supporting programs to train prosecutors and defenders and work within the rule of law system.
Mr. Brownfield pointed out the United States will support the priorities of the Government of Tajikistan.
“If we have additional resources made available, we will support them even more. And we will continue to work with other international partners, governments, and international organizations, trying to work together, to support Tajikistan’s security and counter-narcotics objectives.” -Mr. Bronwfield
He said both countries are engaged in a very aggressive effort together with the Government of Afghanistan to reduce cultivation of opium poppy and the production of heroin and opium.
“Our own statistics indicate that opium and heroin have been reduced dramatically in two key provinces in Afghanistan. Poppy cultivation and Helmand province and Kandahar province have reduced greatly this year.” -Mr. Brownfield
He noted that the Afghan government has conducted many successful operations against narcotics traffickers and laboratories. He said it is for Tajikistan, and good news for the United States of America.
