300-400 AMMUNITIONS REMAINED FROM SOVIET ARMY DETECTED IN AGHSTAFA, AZERBAIJAN EVERY DAY

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 18 2006

According to initial calculations, there are more than 100 thousand
mines and unexploded ordnances (UXO) around the military base of the
former Soviet Army in Azerbaijan’s Saloghlu village in Aghstafa region.

The mine-clearance in the territory, which started in January this
year, will last for a year and six months. Nazim Ismayilov, director of
the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) told journalists
(APA). Ismayilov said that more than 6 thousand ordnances were disarmed
in the 600 hectares of area of the military base during four months.

“300-400 ammunitions are detected in Salohglu every day. ANAMA has
detected and disarmed over 16 000 mines and UXO in the territory,”
Ismayilov reported.

The ANAMA director also said that during the recent operation in
Aghjabedi region, unexploded Nurs missile has been found. The Agency
has not detected mines with kapron composition.

“The sides used Soviet-made weapons and ammunitions during the military
operations for Garabagh. So, we are likely to detect different types
of mines in our territories under Armenian occupation. It is reported
that Armenians buried mines produced in China, Italy, Pakistan and
even in Armenia in the occupied territories. “Lyagushgas” are detected
in the territory. We do not rule out that more risky ammunitions will
be detected in the occupied territories in future,” Ismayilov stressed.

ANAMA found out as a result of its research last year that, 1800
people suffered from mines in the country.

“This figure might be huge.26 incidents occurred related to mines and
UXO last year.40 mine expositions occurred in 2004.14 people suffered
from mines and UXO in the past months of this year.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress