BOSNIA: MOD REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE FOR AMMO

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