Weapons in Exchange for Development Project Update
12 May 2000

Description

The objective of this project is to expand in the district of Elbasan and Diber the scheme of demilitarization of the civilian population in exchange of development incentives, which was initially applied in Gramsh district of Albania. The project strategy focuses on the connection between the surrender of illegal weapons and development (advocacy, public awareness and community rewards through development incentives), and lowering the number of weapons available for crime and violence (weapons collection and destruction, as a message of returning to normalcy). In addition, through the promotion of community participation (community involvement), community-police relations can be enhanced (symbolism for voluntary weapons surrender) with a positive effect on other social development programs. The Gramsh pilot experience has shown that the combination of disarmament conditionality and development needs represents an ideal priority for the country and an attractive and acceptable way of growth for the communities. In order to keep the momentum and extend such a successful experience, substantial donor support and collaboration has been secured for the ongoing pilot initiative and for the start of a full-scale extension of such a project. Finally, the scope of the project is extended to include a weapons destruction component.

Summary of Gramsh Success

The Gramsh pilot program started officially in December 1998 and between January and March 1999 progressed rapidly. The project was preceded by a comprehensive public awareness campaign involving national and local media and civil society as well as the international media. This very important project component prepared local populations for the physical weapons collection process.

The Kosovo crisis led to a temporary suspension of weapons collection activities, and to a more muted approach within the public awareness campaign. Priority during that period was given to the initiation of development activities in the field.

The Programme fully resumed in June 1999 and by end August, the weapons collection component that covered the whole Gramsh district was considered complete.

Final and official collection figures for Gramsh were:

Other than the vast reduction in weapons held by the civilian population, Gramsh district also benefited from the implementation of many major, infrastructure development projects, some of which are still under construction.

Weapons Destruction

The destruction of surplus weapons is a new element of the extended program that was not included in the pilot project.

Following intensive negotiations with the Minister of Defense, it was agreed that surplus weapons (5,200 initially) would be released to the UNDP program for immediate disposal. The exercise began on 12 April 2000 and this first batch of weapons will be destroyed by end May 2000. The Minister has been requested to release more weapons as soon as possible.

Donors

While present funding is sufficient to begin a full-scale weapons collection program in Dibra and Elbasan districts, it is not sufficient to completely replicate the Gramsh project in terms of development aid available to each and every commune.

It is hoped that (as in Gramsh) further donors will offer a contribution after the program starts and is seen to be successful.

A further $ 1,000,000 would be required to assist every commune in Dibra and Elbasan to the same financial level offered in Gramsh district.

Project Progress

There has been a slight delay in the "official" start of the project due to alterations to the project document at the request of the Albanian Government and to delays in the release of funding from some donors. However, work on the public awareness campaign, opening of satellite offices, hiring and training of staff, weapons destruction and cementing of relations with local authorities and Government officials has progressed smoothly.