Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SARAJEVO557
2007-03-12 16:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Sarajevo
Cable title:  

BOSNIA: MOD REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE FOR AMMO

Tags:  PREL MASS MARR BK 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHVJ #0557 0711631
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 121631Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5672
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUFOAOA/USNIC SARAJEVO PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS SARAJEVO 000557 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR (DICARLO),D (SMITH),P (BAME),EUR/SCE (HOH,
SAINZ, FOOKS),PM/WRA (KIDD, ADAMS),AND EUR/RPM (BROTZEN),
NSC FOR BRAUN, USNIC FOR WIGHTMAN AND MCLANE, DEFENSE FOR
BEIN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MASS MARR BK
SUBJECT: BOSNIA: MOD REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE FOR AMMO
DISPOSAL, FACILITY UPGRADE

REF: FLEMING-ADAMS EMAILS AND FAX

UNCLAS SARAJEVO 000557

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR (DICARLO),D (SMITH),P (BAME),EUR/SCE (HOH,
SAINZ, FOOKS),PM/WRA (KIDD, ADAMS),AND EUR/RPM (BROTZEN),
NSC FOR BRAUN, USNIC FOR WIGHTMAN AND MCLANE, DEFENSE FOR
BEIN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MASS MARR BK
SUBJECT: BOSNIA: MOD REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE FOR AMMO
DISPOSAL, FACILITY UPGRADE

REF: FLEMING-ADAMS EMAILS AND FAX


1. (U) Following up on the November 2006 visit of PM/WRA
program managers, Acting Minister of Defense Marina Pendes
submitted a formal request to the Embassy for USG financial
assistance in the disposal of 2600 tons of unstable
ammunition and infrastructure upgrades to the BiH Armed
Forces' ordinance disposal facility in Doboj. We have faxed
an English translation of the proposal to PM. The MOD
request totals USD 970,000 in direct financial assistance.


2. (U) Out of the total request, the MOD seeks USD 390,000
for the destruction of 2600 tons of surplus and unstable
ammunition. This breaks down into USD 150 per ton. The
Bosnian Armed Forces would handle the destruction of the
munitions at the GOF 18 Demilitarization Facility in Doboj.


3. (U) The MOD requests a further USD 480,000 for upgrades at
the GOF 18 facility. The upgrades would permit enhanced
munitions destruction at GOF 18, and would serve to develop
Bosnia's domestic capacity for the destruction of SA/LW and
ammunition. The MOD proposes purchasing laboratory equipment
for propellant testing, remote demilitarization equipment,
safety clothing, and a hot water explosive flushing system
with the funds.


4. (SBU) Comment. EUFOR, NATO, the UNDP and other experts
agree that the threat posed by surplus and unstable
ammunition in Bosnia is significant, and its elimination
remains one of our highest priorities. With the steady
down-sizing of the Bosnian Armed forces, much of the
estimated 25,000-30,000 tons of surplus ammunition remains
stored in poorly equipped and guarded facilities across the
country. Aside from the safety concerns for local
communities, the munitions remain a risk for illicit
trafficking and possible proliferation to the host of bad
actors found through the region. While this initial MOD
proposal would only destroy a tenth of the massive stockpile,
it would remove the ammunition currently most at risk, and
assist the enhancement of domestic capacities to undertake
further destruction activities. We believe it deserves
favorable consideration. End comment.
MCELHANEY