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CENTER FOR HUMANITARIAN DEMINING AND EXPERTISE DIRECTOR TELLS OF DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES
11:37 * 10.07.14
In an interview with Tert.am, Ruben Arakelyan, Director of the Center
for Humanitarian Demining and Expertise SNCO, mentioned four Armenian
regions involved in the humanitarian demining program - Vaiots Dzor,
Syunik, Tavush and Gegharkunik.
The Syunik region is the Center's priority now, and it is expecting
six sniffer-dogs.
Mined territories occupy an area of 40sq kilometers in Armenia. The
Center has a list of 135 confirmed territories, with a total population
of 34,000. They are in Vaiots Dzor, Syunik, Tavush and Gegharkunik.
Along the border in Armenia's Tavush region, Azerbaijan is regularly
sniping at the Armenian borderline villages, which makes demining
more difficult.
"In some places the enemy's positions are more favorable, and we
do not do demining there. The border has a mined buffer zone on
both sides. The mines are supposed to prevent incursions by raiding
parties. If we speak of humanitarian demining, we have nothing to
do with the territories. We are demining the territories beyond the
line of defense. The other territories will be demined only after a
peace treaty has been signed."
With respect to time and funds necessary to complete the second stage
of the work, Mr Arakelyan said:
"I would not like to speak of any specific date. Each section has its
specific features. A sapper can clear about 15 to 20 square meters
a day. We have 40 million square meters. So you can form an idea of
the amount of work to be done. The more sapper work the sooner the
territories will be cleared."
Asked about the pay, Mr Arakelyan said that one sapper received $6 for
technical inspection of 1sq meter and $3 to $4 for clearing 1sq meter.
"We receive financing from the government within the state budget. We
are now cooperating with one donor, the U.S. Department of State's
Bureau of Political-Military Affairs/Office of Weapons Removal
and Abatement (PM/WRA). We have submitted a number of interesting
programs to other donors. They have shown interest and we are now
discussing them."
Armenia's Ministry of Defense, Armenia's diplomatic corps, as well
as foreign diplomats in Armenia are doing their best as well.
Armenian News - Tert.am
From: A. Papazian
11:37 * 10.07.14
In an interview with Tert.am, Ruben Arakelyan, Director of the Center
for Humanitarian Demining and Expertise SNCO, mentioned four Armenian
regions involved in the humanitarian demining program - Vaiots Dzor,
Syunik, Tavush and Gegharkunik.
The Syunik region is the Center's priority now, and it is expecting
six sniffer-dogs.
Mined territories occupy an area of 40sq kilometers in Armenia. The
Center has a list of 135 confirmed territories, with a total population
of 34,000. They are in Vaiots Dzor, Syunik, Tavush and Gegharkunik.
Along the border in Armenia's Tavush region, Azerbaijan is regularly
sniping at the Armenian borderline villages, which makes demining
more difficult.
"In some places the enemy's positions are more favorable, and we
do not do demining there. The border has a mined buffer zone on
both sides. The mines are supposed to prevent incursions by raiding
parties. If we speak of humanitarian demining, we have nothing to
do with the territories. We are demining the territories beyond the
line of defense. The other territories will be demined only after a
peace treaty has been signed."
With respect to time and funds necessary to complete the second stage
of the work, Mr Arakelyan said:
"I would not like to speak of any specific date. Each section has its
specific features. A sapper can clear about 15 to 20 square meters
a day. We have 40 million square meters. So you can form an idea of
the amount of work to be done. The more sapper work the sooner the
territories will be cleared."
Asked about the pay, Mr Arakelyan said that one sapper received $6 for
technical inspection of 1sq meter and $3 to $4 for clearing 1sq meter.
"We receive financing from the government within the state budget. We
are now cooperating with one donor, the U.S. Department of State's
Bureau of Political-Military Affairs/Office of Weapons Removal
and Abatement (PM/WRA). We have submitted a number of interesting
programs to other donors. They have shown interest and we are now
discussing them."
Armenia's Ministry of Defense, Armenia's diplomatic corps, as well
as foreign diplomats in Armenia are doing their best as well.
Armenian News - Tert.am
From: A. Papazian