BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

Jun 23, 2005, 14:41 GMT

Belarus to start decommissioning anti-personnel land mines

Text of report in English by Belarusian news agency Belapan

Minsk, 23 June: The Belarusian government is expected to launch its programme on the disposal of the country's anti-personnel landmine (APL) stockpiles before the end of this year, Ruslan Yesin, spokesman for the Belarusian Foreign Ministry, told reporters on 23 June.

The matter is being overseen by the country's leadership, the official stressed.

Belarus has been in talks with Canada and the European Commission over their assistance in the APL disposal programme.

According to Yesin, the country's APL stockpiles have already been removed from service and experts have secured their safe storage.

The Ottawa mine ban treaty entered into force in Belarus on 1 March 2004. Under the treaty, the country is expected to destroy 4.3m landmines stockpiled at its storage facilities before 1 March 2008. Foreign experts estimate the programme will cost up to 12m dollars.

Source: Belapan news agency, Minsk, in English 1355 gmt 23 Jun 05

BBC Mon KVU 230605 ch/ms

Source:

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/mediamonitor/article_1020253.php/Belarus_to_start_decommissioning_anti-personnel_land_mines


Google