Armenia opens plant to process rocket fuel

Mediamax news agency
12 May 06

Yerevan, 12 May: Armenian Defence Minister Serzh Sarkisyan and OSCE
Secretary-General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut have opened a plant to
process melange near the village of Kaltakhchi in Armenia’s Lori
Region.

A depot with 872 tonnes of rocket fuel components – a liquid oxidizer
called melange – remained in Armenia after the collapse of the
USSR. Melange is a highly toxic and aggressive substance that poses a
treat to the population and environment.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the plant today, Sarkisyan noted
the importance of this event in the context of ensuring environmental
security, Mediamax news agency reports. Sarkisyan pointed out that the
plant is a graphic example of effective cooperation between the OSCE
and the Armenian Defence Ministry.

The plant to process melange will operate until August 2007 and
produce 5,200 tonnes of liquid fertilizers.

Money for the construction of the plant to process melange was
allocated by the USA, Finland, Germany and Canada.