In BiH there are 11 different laws related to arms, two cantons still use the ex-socialist republic BiH legislation, but there is no state law. What to do with 30,000 tons of surplus weapons and ammunition?

As regards weapons and ammunition stockpiles, is it feasible to expect accidents such as those in Albania, Serbia or Ukraine to happen in BiH, as well?

- This can happen any day.

Why? What does it depend on?

- We are now talking about those 30,000 tons of surplus ammunition in BiH, which have been stockpiled at 25 sites and are over 15 years old. According to estimates of our experts, in 2011, 78% of all ammunition in BiH was declared as high risk products, 22% posed a medium risk, and in the category of low risk there is no ammunition. Thus, in our opinion – and it corresponds to the EUFOR's, NATO's, OHR's and UNDP's position – the situation in BiH definitely rings the bell that it is high time to respond in some way! To be honest, last year the BIH Presidency made a very important decision on surplus weapons disposal, and certain quantities were earmarked for disposal.

Engineering, law, politics

Who will start destroying the ammunition and when?

- It is a positive sign that the state is already disposing of old ammunition. Without external assistance BiH has the capacities to destroy three thousand tons of ammunition per year. Thus in 2008 the state destroyed two thousand tons out of three thousand. Unfortunately, last year only 1,100 tons were destroyed.

Why so little?

- The reasons for that are of technical, legal but also of political nature, it depends on whom you ask.

Millions to be guarded

- Another problem related to weapons and ammunition surpluses is a high number of stockpiles. They must be secured, which requires soldiers. Minister Cikotic told me on one occasion that about 10% of all man force is used as guards at such sites. We have estimated that only to safeguard those sites costs around three million KM per year. If you look at the present situation, where we are considering the need to fire around 2,700 redundant people – and they cannot be replaced -   the question is in fact who will guard these locations?