Russia: Chemical Weapons Disposal Site to Be Launched in March 2009 – Agency

Excerpt from report by corporate-owned Russian news agency Interfax

Kirov, 30 September: A regional commission for scrapping chemical weapons in Kirov Region has examined the readiness of the Maradykovskiy chemical weapons disposal site to launch its second phase in March 2009, the press centre of the regional government said on 30 September.

The second stage facilities are equipped to scrap ammunition filled with the toxic substances sarin and soman.

The remaining ammunition filled with VX gas is being scrapped at Maradykovskiy, the press centre said. At the same time, equipment is being assembled at all facilities that will be used to scrap sarin and soman. Testing and commissioning work will begin on 1 December 2008 and will be completed by March 2009.

A permit is being drafted in order to make the facility’s control system ready for scrapping sarin and soman, and personnel are being trained to use the new equipment. Staff at the facility’s central laboratory are also being trained to learn new methods to detect sarin and soman in the environment. [Passage omitted]

Originally published by Interfax news agency, Moscow, in Russian 1355 30 Sep 08.

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