OSCE ready to begin ammunition disposal at Colbasna
(OSCE/Neil Brennan)Destruction of heavy weapons started in June 2001, with the help of
an OSCE voluntary fund and under the supervision of the OSCE
Mission to Moldova. (OSCE/Neil Brennan) Photo details
CHISINAU, 15 April 2002 - The OSCE Mission to Moldova has announced the arrival of a device for destroying old ammunition in the region. The so-called "Donovan" detonation chamber, which arrived on April 13, will be used at Colbasna to commence disposing of ammunition of the former Soviet 14th Army (now Operational Group of Russian Forces) still stored in the territory of the Republic of Moldova.
The Donovan chamber was shipped from the United States to Odessa, then transported by road to Moldova.
"This is a historic moment. OSCE is ready to begin work immediately on ammunition disposal at Colbasna," said David Swartz, Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, after customs clearance procedures were completed on the Ukrainian-Moldovan border. Swartz emphasized that the OSCE is thus fulfilling its role in helping Russia meet its commitment made at the OSCE Summit in Istanbul in 1999.
Regrettably, the detonation chamber, had to go into temporary storage near Chisinau as the Transdniestrian authorities have so far given permission neither for the chamber to transit to Colbasna nor to operate there. The reason relates to issues of financial compensation existing between Tiraspol and Moscow.
The Donovan detonation chamber uses a unique, environmentally safe technology. This type of chamber is presently used in the USA and Belgium to destroy old ammunition. It is also suitable for the destruction of chemical weapons, although this is not envisaged for Colbasna.
The Donovan chamber was shipped from the United States to Odessa, then transported by road to Moldova.
"This is a historic moment. OSCE is ready to begin work immediately on ammunition disposal at Colbasna," said David Swartz, Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, after customs clearance procedures were completed on the Ukrainian-Moldovan border. Swartz emphasized that the OSCE is thus fulfilling its role in helping Russia meet its commitment made at the OSCE Summit in Istanbul in 1999.
Regrettably, the detonation chamber, had to go into temporary storage near Chisinau as the Transdniestrian authorities have so far given permission neither for the chamber to transit to Colbasna nor to operate there. The reason relates to issues of financial compensation existing between Tiraspol and Moscow.
The Donovan detonation chamber uses a unique, environmentally safe technology. This type of chamber is presently used in the USA and Belgium to destroy old ammunition. It is also suitable for the destruction of chemical weapons, although this is not envisaged for Colbasna.