VIENNA, 15 July 2011 – OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier, expressing his condolences to the President and people of Turkmenistan over the tragic explosion in Abadan, today offered OSCE assistance with clearance and securing stocks of arms and ammunition.

In a letter to the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Zannier offered his condolences to the families of the victims of the 7 July explosion. He added: “The OSCE stands ready to offer its assistance in clearing the areas affected by the explosion and in enhancing the management and security of state-held stocks of small arms and light weapons and conventional ammunition in order to prevent such tragedies in future.”