Tajikistan Mine Action News
Dushanbe
February 27, 2009
Press
Release
for the Round Table
on the topic: “World Free of Mines: Mission is
feasible”
Round Table session was
conducted in the office of Tajikistan National
Association of Disabled on February 27, 2009 with
the topic “World free of mines: Mission is
feasible”. Representatives of government,
non-government and international organizations, mass
media and mine victims attended the session. Round
Table was organized by Tajikistan Mine Action Center
(TMAC) in collaboration with “Harmony in the World”
NGO.
Round Table was
mainly aimed to discuss progress achieved in the
implementation of Convention on restriction to
apply, stockpile, manufacture and transfer
anti-personal mines and their destruction on the
territory of Tajikistan, which is considered to be
mine contaminated country.
It was mentioned that
Ottawa Convention adopted in 1997 came into force on
March 1st, 1999 and Tajikistan joined it
on April 1st , 2000. TMAC was established
on June 20, 2003 and is the only government body
responsible for resolving all issues relate to the
coordination, planning, control, analysis and
attraction donor’s support. In accordance to the
Article 4 of the Convention, Tajikistan distracted
all stockpiles of anti-personal mines by March 31,
2004. And in accordance to the Article 5, Tajikistan
has to clear all contaminated minefields. However,
according to Mr.Rajabov, TMAC Project Manager,
Tajikistan is not able to finish all de-mining
activities by specified time. Therefore, Application
for the extension was developed. Besides, with the
capacity available, existing level of support
provided by donors and with one mechanical demining
machine supplied, Tajikistan will need about 10
years to complete specified activities.
4 groups, 2 survey
technical groups and 6 mine detection dogs (12 dogs)
were involved in demining activities in 2008. The
groups have cleared 1.037.808 m² (2.305.572 m² in
total from the beginning of program), which is half
as much again as compared to 2007. As a result of
the activity implemented in 2008, 5.371 mines, 407
unexploded ordnances (bombs, cartridges, and other
types of explosive agents), 66 cluster bombs and
more than 4.659 SP small arms ammunition (from the
very beginning of the program 9.956 mines, 1.386
UXOs, 498 cluster bombs and 4.659 small arms
ammunition) were detected and deactivated.
“Objectives
and Anti-personal mine victims assistance Action
Plan for 2006-2009” were reviewed on the second
National Workshop. In 2008 updated plan was approved
by the Government and presented at the 9th
conference of countries-participants of Ottawa
Convention. TMAC in collaboration with the Ministry
of Health, International Trust Fund and
Rehabilitation Institute (Slovenia) has conducted 6
days training for the doctors for rehabilitation of
people with the extremities amputated. 27 mine
victims were provided with 29 prosthesis from the
State Unitary Enterprise of prosthesis-orthopedic
plants. 56 victims suffered in Darvaz and Tavildara
districts and 8 families in Sogd oblast were covered
with Food Security. Summer camp was organized for
34 victims.
Mine danger
warning was organized in 2008 in 22 districts of
Tajikistan, including 7 districts of Sogd and 7
districts of Khatlon oblasts, as well as 5 districts
of Rayons of Republican Subordination and 2
districts of GBAO. About 84.000
people were trained.
At the end of the Round
Table session two Power Point Presentations were
introduced, i.e. Mini Monitoring Annual Report and
Convention on Cluster Ammunition.
