End of disposal of toxic rocket fuel component

TIRANA, Dec. 8 – Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Robert Bosch, handed an official certificate to the Albanian Defense Minister Arben Imami Tuesday in a ceremony that marked the official conclusion of the disposal of 34 tonnes of a toxic rocket fuel component known as melange.
The OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation assisted Albania – at the government’s request – to dispose of its melange in a project, financed by the Governments of Greece, Denmark, Sweden and Finland. The toxic liquid was transported to a specialized plant in Sweden, where it was incinerated.
Denmark also donated to the Albanian authorities’ equipment that increases the country’s capacity to dismantle ammunition.
“This equipment will modernize and speed-up the demolition process of ammunition,” Imami said.
Bosch added: “With the disposal of all surplus ammunition, Albania will become a much safer country where its citizens will be able to live and prosper.”
The six donated cutting machines will soon be used at the dismantling sites in Polican and Mjekes.
Disposing of the country’s excess ammunition is a main priority for the army, especially following the blast last year at a private disposal factory which killed 26 and injured 300 persons.