MINSK, 27 May (BelTA) – A center to destroy anti-personnel mines (AP-mines) has opened in Rechitsa, BelTA learnt from the Belarusian Defense Ministry.
The center was built on the premises of the 2271st base. It is designed to destroy the existing supply of anti-personnel landmines using the so-called “cold detonation” technology. After that the remaining solid wastes and gases will be processed further until they are safe enough to be eliminated at the solid waste landfill. The work will be done in three shifts six days a week. As early as the end of July the company will reach its designed capacity.
The project was launched in the autumn of 2007 when the European Commission provided €4 million to the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument to implement the international technical aid project to eliminate anti-personnel landmines in Belarus. The project will help Belarus fulfill its commitments in line with the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction. The Government of Belarus and the Commission of the European Communities signed a financial agreement on the project funding in 2008. Over 3.3 million AP landmines kept by the Belarusian Armed Forces are to be eliminated.
The project will help destroy landmines in Belarus, help the country fulfill its international commitments and optimize ammunition storage facilities.
According to the Defense Ministry, landmines are one of the deadliest and most inhumane kinds of warfare. Due to their low cost, they are heavily planted in hostility zones and affect mostly civilians. Therefore, Belarus advocates unconditional implementation of the Ottawa Treaty by all the states parties.
The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (Ottawa Treaty) introduces a number of bans and commitments related to landmines. In particular, a party to the treaty must cease the production and development of anti-personnel landmines and destroy its stockpile of anti-personnel mines, although it may retain a small number for training purposes (mine-clearance, detection, etc.).
The center was built on the premises of the 2271st base. It is designed to destroy the existing supply of anti-personnel landmines using the so-called “cold detonation” technology. After that the remaining solid wastes and gases will be processed further until they are safe enough to be eliminated at the solid waste landfill. The work will be done in three shifts six days a week. As early as the end of July the company will reach its designed capacity.
The project was launched in the autumn of 2007 when the European Commission provided €4 million to the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument to implement the international technical aid project to eliminate anti-personnel landmines in Belarus. The project will help Belarus fulfill its commitments in line with the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction. The Government of Belarus and the Commission of the European Communities signed a financial agreement on the project funding in 2008. Over 3.3 million AP landmines kept by the Belarusian Armed Forces are to be eliminated.
The project will help destroy landmines in Belarus, help the country fulfill its international commitments and optimize ammunition storage facilities.
According to the Defense Ministry, landmines are one of the deadliest and most inhumane kinds of warfare. Due to their low cost, they are heavily planted in hostility zones and affect mostly civilians. Therefore, Belarus advocates unconditional implementation of the Ottawa Treaty by all the states parties.
The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (Ottawa Treaty) introduces a number of bans and commitments related to landmines. In particular, a party to the treaty must cease the production and development of anti-personnel landmines and destroy its stockpile of anti-personnel mines, although it may retain a small number for training purposes (mine-clearance, detection, etc.).
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