SARATOV. Feb 10 (Interfax-AVN) - The operation of a chemical weapons disposal facility in Gorny in the Saratov region is financed in full, head of the regional industry and science committee Sergei Lisovsky told Interfax-Military News Agency on Tuesday.
"This applies to the operation of the facility itself and also to the development of the social infrastructure in Gorny, for which about RUB70m have been assigned," he said.
The social priorities in Gorny include the completion of water supply and sewage systems, the reconstruction of the central district hospital, and road construction.
Lisovsky said that Saratov region governor Dmitri Ayatskov, at the latest session of the State Commission for Chemical Disarmament, stressed the need to promptly draft and approve a government resolution on benefits and compensation to the population in areas where disposal facilities are located.
Russia's first major facility for disposing of chemical arms was commissioned in Gorny in December 2002. By April 29, 2003 it had scrapped over 400 tonnes of mustard gas, or 1% of Russia's arsenal. Russia thus carried out the first stage of its chemical disarmament program on schedule.
The Gorny site works 24/7. It is to dispose of all combat chemical agents, totaling 1,142 tonnes and including lewisite, mustard gas, and their mixtures, by 2005. The facility has disposed of 622.3 tonnes of mustard gas, which resulted in 1,371.6 tonnes of reaction masses, which are not considered chemical weapons. As far as their toxicity is concerned, they are comparable to conventional industrial chemical waste.