Albanian border contaminated

The Albanian MOD has tasked its newly formed Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Organisation to assess the extent of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and mine contamination in northern Albania. During the Kosovo crisis, Serb military and para-military forces had laid minefields, particularly in areas near the Albanian border to try and stop UCK smuggling of arms and personnel. Additional threats from UXO and abandoned munition stockpiles also exist.

Due to the remoteness of the area and poor communications, the full scale of the problem has only recently become apparent. However, as a consequence of the recent assessment performed by NATO-trained Albanian specialists, several objectives have been set out: a UN-organised survey of the area, marking of mine contaminated areas, raising international community awareness of the problem, Mine Awareness Training for the civil population, refugees and Non-Governmental and International Organisations; and in the near future, the training of local manpower to assist in the clearance operation. Additional manpower and equipment have been requested for this operation which should help reduce the risk of further casualties.