OSCE-supervised melange project in Georgia successfully concluded
(OSCE)The Melange Project, an OSCE supervised project in Georgia
aims at producing fertilizer from highly explosive missile fuel,
August 2002. (OSCE) Photo details
TBILISI, 16 August 2002 - The Melange project, an OSCE-supervised project aimed at producing fertilizer from highly explosive missile fuel in Georgia, has been successfully concluded.
"The international co-operation of German experts with local specialists under OSCE supervision was a full success", said Ambassador Jean-Michel Lacombe, Head of the OSCE Mission to Georgia.
In total, 400 tons of highly dangerous liquid missile fuel stored on the former Soviet airfield in Meria, Western Georgia, were transformed into fertilizer for the acid soil in the same region.
This pilot project was realized through OSCE voluntary funds and established in order to alleviate the consequences of the disbanding of former Soviet military sites in Georgia. It was financed by the governments of Germany, the Netherlands, Turkey and the United Kingdom. In addition, Germany sent experts to help with the work. The project was implemented by the Institute for Physical and Organic Chemistry of the Georgian Academy of Science.
Following the successful conclusion of the project, the OSCE has been requested by the Georgian authorities to take further steps to secure missile storage areas in Georgia. Numerous missiles, partly filled with explosive liquid fuel and still equipped with warheads, urgently have to be scrapped safely. The OSCE Mission to Georgia continues to seek funding for such projects in the framework of the OSCE voluntary fund.
"The international co-operation of German experts with local specialists under OSCE supervision was a full success", said Ambassador Jean-Michel Lacombe, Head of the OSCE Mission to Georgia.
In total, 400 tons of highly dangerous liquid missile fuel stored on the former Soviet airfield in Meria, Western Georgia, were transformed into fertilizer for the acid soil in the same region.
This pilot project was realized through OSCE voluntary funds and established in order to alleviate the consequences of the disbanding of former Soviet military sites in Georgia. It was financed by the governments of Germany, the Netherlands, Turkey and the United Kingdom. In addition, Germany sent experts to help with the work. The project was implemented by the Institute for Physical and Organic Chemistry of the Georgian Academy of Science.
Following the successful conclusion of the project, the OSCE has been requested by the Georgian authorities to take further steps to secure missile storage areas in Georgia. Numerous missiles, partly filled with explosive liquid fuel and still equipped with warheads, urgently have to be scrapped safely. The OSCE Mission to Georgia continues to seek funding for such projects in the framework of the OSCE voluntary fund.