OSCE Centre opens munitions disposal training centre and demolition ground in Tajikistan
DUSHANBE, 4 November 2005 - A training centre to help rid Tajikistan of surplus conventional ammunition, was officially opened today by the OSCE Centre in Dushanbe. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Centre and Demolition Ground (EOD Centre) is located in Lohur, some 30 km from the Tajik capital of Dushanbe.
"Four and a half tonnes of ammunition have already been destroyed under the OSCE Centre's activity", said Ambassador Alain Couanon, Head of the OSCE Centre in Dushanbe.
"Altogether, 21 tonnes of seized and confiscated conventional ammunition, as well as 26,000 pieces of small arms and light weapons will be destroyed in 2005 and 2006 under the current programme in Tajikistan. This will contribute to improving the security of the people of this country," he added.
The opening of the EOD Centre represents the first stage of the OSCE Programme on Small Arms and Light Weapons and Conventional Ammunition (SALW/CA) in Tajikistan. The following stages will include the establishment of a SALW destruction facility, the construction and refurbishment of SALW storage facilities for different Tajik governmental agencies, and the construction of an ammunition storage facility for the Tajik State Border Protection Committee.
During the opening ceremony, 13 Tajik trainees received certificates for completing the training programme on destroying surplus conventional ammunition. The OSCE Centre facilitated the training conducted by French military experts.
The Programme has been jointly set up by the OSCE Secretariat's Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) and the OSCE Centre in Dushanbe, and approved by the OSCE Forum for Security and Cooperation. International experts and the Tajik Government participated fully in the process.
Funding for the programme was provided by the governments of Finland, France, The Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, the United States, as well as Tajikistan. The programme is part of the OSCE Centre's activities on security, de-mining and the fight against terrorism.