Countering the threat of excess small arms and ammunition in Tajikistan
With temperatures reaching highs of 50 degrees Celsius, the chance of a fire that could set off explosions - inflicting damage, injuries and possibly deaths within several kilometers - was a serious threat.
But thanks to OSCE assistance, at this central storage site, surplus small arms and ammunition have now been destroyed and the rest properly secured.
Ready to help
In 2002, the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) began offering assistance to OSCE states in destroying excess conventional ammunition, and small arms and light weapons (SALW), as well as in upgrading the safety and security of remaining stockpiles. Several countries have since asked for help, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
The Tajik Government asked for assistance in July 2004. The FSC responded by developing a comprehensive programme to destroy surpluses, upgrade storage conditions, develop better management capacities and reduce the chance of dangerous material falling into the wrong hands.
Avoiding catastrophe
Anton Martynyuk from the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre led an experts' assessment visit to the Dushanbe area in 2004. "In its request for assistance, authorities described the precarious conditions of the country's storage sites," he says. "But it was only when we visited the central storage facility that it became clear to us that the OSCE had to take action as soon as possible to avoid a catastrophe."
After the 1992-97 Tajik civil war, a weapons amnesty resulted in the collection of 26,000 small arms and several thousand tons of ammunition. Awaiting destruction, they were stored dangerously together at several warehouses.
"The OSCE assessment confirmed that the stockpiles posed a high risk," says Jernej Cimpersek, FSC Co-ordinator for Conventional Ammunition. "In many cases, minimum safety and security conditions were not met."
Off to a good start
The programme to address surplus SALW and ammunition was launched in August 2005 and began with eliminating stockpiles and securing proper storage in Dushanbe. Thirty-four tons of ammunition and 23,000 small arms - including AK-47 and AK-74 assault rifles and Makarov pistols - were destroyed.
In November 2006, the programme's first phase was completed, on time and within budget, says Alexander Anoshkin, Project Manager at the OSCE Centre in Dushanbe.
With new equipment and training workshops provided by the OSCE, Tajik authorities are now better able to eliminate surplus SALW and ammunition. Seven storage sites have been refurbished or newly built to ensure safe and secure storage.
Looking toward the regions
Following the success of the project in the Dushanbe area, the Tajik Government has asked the OSCE for help in addressing similar risks throughout the country's regions. OSCE experts have since visited dozens of sites, including those on the border with Afghanistan, and developed detailed plans for 2007 and 2008.
"Tajikistan needs further OSCE support to increase its capability to secure and combat trafficking in SALW and ammunition, improve internal security and meet OSCE best practices," says Cimpersek.
Building on experience
The project in Tajikistan was the first one carried out within the framework of the FSC assistance mechanisms on SALW and conventional ammunition, agreed on by OSCE states in 2002 and 2003. Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova and Ukraine have also requested assistance in destroying surplus SALW and ammunition and improving the security of remaining stockpiles, eliminating toxic liquid rocket fuel (mélange), and clearing explosive material scattered by fires.
"From work carried out in Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine and Tajikistan from 2002 to 2006, we have accumulated a range of technical expertise and practical experience, as well as project management capacities that can benefit future projects," says Martynyuk.
"By reducing the possibility of terrorists gaining access to this dangerous material or its diversion to illegal markets, these projects have greatly reduced human, environmental and security risks."
Cimpersek adds that the OSCE is ready to continue helping participating States in this area. "But future assistance activities will be determined by the willingness of donors to support such projects."