OSCE helps Kyrgyzstan strengthen secure storage of small arms, light weapons, conventional ammunition

KOY-TASH, Kyrgyzstan, 27 February 2012 - Strengthening the capacity of the Kyrgyz Defence Ministry and sharing best practices in securing conventional ammunitions depots and stockpile management will be the focus of a three-week OSCE-supported training course that started today in Koy-Tash village in the north of Kyrgyzstan.

The event is co-organized by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek and the Kyrgyzstan’s Defence Ministry, with the support of the US Defence Threat Reduction Agency.

The training course, which will consist of three seminars in Koy-Tash, Bishkek and Osh in February and March, will bring together some 60 officers and non-commissioned officers responsible for armaments and ammunition storage facilities management at the ministry and other military structures of Kyrgyzstan.

Theoretical and practical sessions on international best practices concerning the security of ammunition stockpiles, storage and compatibility of ammunition types, risk management, transportation and disposal of ammunition will be delivered by instructors from the US and Sweden.

Ambassador Andrew Tesoriere, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, said: “The specialist training is part of a wider OSCE programme in support of the Kyrgyzstan Armed Forces, to improve the storage and handling safety of light weapons and ammunition. Safeguarding the storage depots against theft or attack is an important goal of the programme. Given that some of them are located in or near populated areas, the improved management of weapons holdings will enhance public safety.”

Steven Petersen, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team Chief at the Defence Threat Reduction Agency, added: "This is the first time that we have been in Kyrgyzstan for this type of seminar. We expect that sharing best practices between the seminar participants will contribute to more effective stockpile management and co-operation between all stakeholders."