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OSCE experts help Tajikistan secure surplus small arms and light weapons and ammunition
DUSHANBE 24 August 2004
DUSHANBE, 24 August 2004 - At the request of the Government of Tajikistan, a group of OSCE experts, assisted by a Russian military officer, have been visiting Dushanbe from 19 to 24 August to conduct a study on the situation regarding surplus Small Arms and Lights Weapons (SALW) and conventional ammunition in Tajikistan.
"The primary focus was on the SALW and ammunition that are no longer used and which constitute a great risk for security," said Yurii Krivonos, Senior Officer of the OSCE Forum on Security co-operation (FSC). "It is important to create proper conditions for safe and secure storing of these weapons and ammunition."
The experts met with representatives of the ministries of defence, interior, security and the Border Guards Committee. They also visited sites where the SALW and ammunition that are to be destroyed are stored.
During the meetings, the Tajik side outlined the security problems regarding SALW and ammunition and confirmed its willingness to co-operate with the OSCE in this field.
The assessment carried out by the OSCE experts will be presented at an OSCE meeting on 29 September in Vienna.
"The primary focus was on the SALW and ammunition that are no longer used and which constitute a great risk for security," said Yurii Krivonos, Senior Officer of the OSCE Forum on Security co-operation (FSC). "It is important to create proper conditions for safe and secure storing of these weapons and ammunition."
The experts met with representatives of the ministries of defence, interior, security and the Border Guards Committee. They also visited sites where the SALW and ammunition that are to be destroyed are stored.
During the meetings, the Tajik side outlined the security problems regarding SALW and ammunition and confirmed its willingness to co-operate with the OSCE in this field.
The assessment carried out by the OSCE experts will be presented at an OSCE meeting on 29 September in Vienna.