Background

During the civil unrest in Albania in March 1997 there were a number of explosions at Ammunition Storage Areas, resulting in the Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) contamination of 15 sites, totalling an area of approximately 85 hectares. A total of 58 Explosive Storehouses were involved in these explosions. Since March 1997 there have been 56 fatalities and 59 wounded as a result of explosions in these areas, and the subsequent civilian handling of the unexploded ammunition. Ten of these fatalities were Albanian Engineers employed in the clean up operation prior to the deployment of the NATO Team. It is estimated that 5700 tonnes of munitions were involved in explosions; the quantity requiring EOD clearance has yet to be completely identified, but could take up to two years to clear safely. A NATO expert Ammunition Storage and Disposal Implementation Team (ASDIT) was deployed to Albania for the period of 05 October to 04 December 1998. The NATO ASDIT was deployed within the Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme for 1998 as part of the Individual Partnership Programme (IPP) for Albania. There is a NATO PfP Cell deployed within the Albanian Ministry of Defence to coordinate the whole IPP, of which the EODASTT is just one part.

This operational deployment was the first of its kind within the PfP programme and represents NATO’s commitment to carry out a special IPP within the unique circumstances found in Albania. It follows on from a series of Fact Finding Team visits to Albania from August 1997 to July 1998. The success of the NATO ASDIT mission led to the deployment of a follow on Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Ammunition Support Training Team (EODASTT), which will initially be deployed in Albania from09 January to 05 May 1999. The aim of this team is to provide expert advice and assistance to the Albanian MOD in order that the Albanian Army can start the Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) clearance of the contaminated areas themselves early in 1999. The team is also advising the Albanian MOD on the rationalisation of ammunition storage and the establishment of safe storage conditions. The EODASTT is a composite team consisting of EOD Operators and ammunition specialists from five NATO nations. It also contains three contract EOD and ammunition specialists from an international consultancy company. The use of serving military officers, with contract team support, is another first for NATO in this highly specialised area.