Author(s):
Gaetan de Beaupuis <icbl@icbl.org> .
Algeria,,
Friday 29 April 2005
Handicap International Representative witnessed the destruction of the second part of Algerian landmines stockpiles by the National People Army. On 8 and 9 May 2005 , Algeria is holding a symposium on the implementation of the Convention, with ICBL participation...
Stocks of Antipersonnel Mines prepared for destruction
Last update:On 10 and 11 May 2005, Algeria proceeded with the next phase of the destruction. After thi pahes, Algeria has already destroyed 141.461 Miens out of their stock of 150.050. The remaining will be destroyed in the final ceremony in march 2006.
On the 28th and 29th March 2005, Handicap International was invited to witness the second operation of landmines destruction in presence of members of the inter-ministerial Committee for the follow-up and the implementation of the Ottawa Convention, one UNDP representative and the Ambassador of Canada. During this operation, 30.000 mines have been destroyed by explosion, incineration, and crushing of fuses, mine casing and wooden stakes, reels of trapping wire, on the military base of Hassi Babah, then melting of metal bodies on the military base of Beni Mered (logistical central base, 40 km away from the southern Alger).
The operation was carried out by the Algerian army, with transparency, rigour and professionalism. Members of the delegation were invited to ask questions, to take pictures and to visit destruction sites (explosion and incineration pits, crushing platform, foundry) and stockpiles of items to destroy, before and after the destruction operation.
Metal parts of POMZ 2M and PMR 2A just before destruction
The Inauguration of the destruction process had been organised on the 28th October 2004, on the military base of Hassy Babah (Air Central Polygon, based 300km south away from Alger), in the presence of the President Bouteflika, about ten ambassadors, some ICRC and UNDP representatives. They all witnessed the destruction of 3000 landmines, which were exploded and crushed.
Last week, the National People Army Major State communicated to Handicap International the result of the third destruction operation that was organised on 18th and 19th April 2005 : 60 000 fuses, metal bodies, mine casing and wooden stakes were destroyed. They also pesented the the planning for next operations.
Metal part of POMZ 2M et PMR 2A are being melted.
To this day, the National People Army has destroyed 62% of its 150 050 landmines stockpile.
On 8 and 9 May 2005, Algeria, with the support of Canada and the UNDP, will host a symposium on the implementation of the Convention in Algiers. ICBL will be represented.
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