Moldova disposed of its Orkan rockets in 2006 and began destroying its stockpile of 834 152mm projectiles in early 2010. Norwegian Peoples Aid partnered with the Government of Moldova; with assistance from OSCE in 2009; in assessing the feasibility and conducting research and development of a self help, efficient disposal programme for the air dropped cluster bombs that are a legacy from the former Soviet Union.
In May/June 2010 the programme will be implemented in partnership with OSCE and the Moldovan MoD, with funding from the Spanish & Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. By the time that the CCM comes into force on 1st August 2010, with this important international assistance, the Republic of Moldova will be able to declare that it is free from Cluster Munitions under its jurisdiction and control.
In an interview on the National Moldovan Channel 1, Lee Moroney of Norwegian Peoples Aid stated that “the disposal project of destroying the 152mm projectiles, of which there are only 200 left to destroy, was being conducted in a safe and professional manner, and other nations should look at the Republic of Moldova in its leadership in destroying these deadly munitions and begin to start destroying their stockpiles without hesitation.â€