DUSHANBE, July 30, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- On Wednesday July 30, the OSCE Office in Tajikistan and the Tajik Interior Ministry signed an agreement launching a project to refurbish district police armories and upgrade security for small arms and light weapons (SALW) and conventional ammunition (CA) sites.

A signing ceremony to mark the new contribution by the OSCE Office was attended by Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, and Interior Minister Mahmadnazar Solehov.  The agreement, totaling 136,787 euros, aims to refurbish the armory rooms of 51 district police departments and upgrade security systems and perimeter fences for SALW and CA storage at four sites.

"On Tajikistan''s request, the OSCE has been working with the government since 2005 to destroy surplus weapons and ammunition, upgrade storage conditions and reduce the risk for unauthorized use of SALW. This new agreement will continue our important work together," said Pryakhin.

The three-month initiative is part of a wider OSCE program on "SALW and CA Physical Stockpile Security".  Phase two of the program also includes destruction of surplus rocket boosters and building safe storage facilities for Tajik law enforcement agencies.