OSCE helps Armenia eliminate toxic fuel

YEREVAN, 6 September 2007 - Nearly 900 tons of highly explosive missile fuel have been neutralized and turned into fertilizer with the support of the OSCE, it was announced at a ceremony marking the completion of the project today.

"Ensuring people's security and environmental safety is part of what the OSCE is about," said Colonel Jesus Anson Soro, a Senior Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, who participated in the ceremony. "This project is a remarkable example of co-operation between the OSCE and Armenia to improve and protect the environmental well-being and security of the Armenian population."

The project to eliminate the dangerous rocket fuel stocks, commonly known as "melange", was implemented by the Ministry of Defence with technical and financial assistance from the OSCE.

"Armenia could not make such a project on her own, as it requires not only substantial financial resources but also the use of environmentally friendly technologies", said General Lieutenant Gourgen Melkonyan, Deputy Minister of Defence, " I can assure that Armenia is eager to continue to support the peacekeeping efforts of the international community for the benefit of the security in the region."

Ambassador Rudolf Perina, US Chargé d'Affaires, speaking on behalf of the donor community, underlined the contribution of the OSCE, and the Office in Yerevan in particular, for achieving such an impressive result.

"Most importantly, Armenian people at all levels participated in the project's successful implementation for the benefit of Armenia," he said.

The OSCE Office in Yerevan initiated the project in 2005 on request from Armenia's Defence Ministry. The recycling process of the Soviet-era melange, stored at the Kaltakhchi military base in the north of Armenia, began in May 2006 following a needs assessment and other preparations, including the installation of specially designed recycling equipment.

In total, 872 tons of the highly toxic and volatile substance were recycled into 4,972 tons of fertilizer and sprayed on 1,243 hectares of land in co-ordination with the Ministry of Nature Protection and local farmers.

The project was financed by Canada, Finland, Germany and the United States.

A group of local and international experts from donor countries as well as from Georgia and Russia closely monitored the whole process to ensure its professional execution and environmental safety.