DUSHANBE , February 28, Asia-Plus - Tajik Mine Action Cell (TMAC) has purchased 12 demining dogs from Germany under support of the UNDP Country Office in Tajikistan , Asia-Plus has learned from Jonmahmad Rajabov, the TMAC director.  

According to him, the dogs will take 2-month training at a dog demining center in Afghanistan .   .

“This center was established in Kabul in 1989 and Afghan trainers have enough experience in training demining dogs,” Mr. Rajabov said, stressing that the UNDP provided US$90,000 to Tajikistan purchasing and training these dogs.  

Mr. Rajabov noted that 180,000 square meters had been cleared since 2004 and dogs would be effective mine detection tools and increase their effectiveness.  

  Tajikistan signed the Convention on the Prohibition on the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Antipersonnel Mines and on their Destruction (the Ottawa Convention) in 2000. All signatory states undertook to ensure the destruction of all anti-personnel land mines they possess, as soon as possible but no later than 10 years after signing the convention. In the case of Tajikistan , this means that the country should be mine-free by 2010.